An examination of the history and practices of museums, parks,
and public monuments in the United States. Making use of the
campus and its collections, students will investigate the
presentation of history at UGA. Students will also create a
temporary exhibition using on-campus collections.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: In addition to completing the readings and exams required of
undergraduates, graduate students will be asked to:
(1) write one book or exhibition review,
(2) complete a 20-page research paper, and
(3) present their research as a lecture.
Graduate students are also expected to attend special
discussion sections.
Athena Title
History of American Museums
Prerequisite
Any 2000-level HIST course
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to arrive at conclusions about the history of American museums, parks, and monuments by gathering and weighing evidence, logical argument, and listening to counter argument.
By the end of this course, students will be able to write stylistically appropriate papers and essays. Students will be able to analyze ideas and evidence, organize their thoughts, and revise and edit their finished essays.
By the end of this course, students will be able to identify how the history of American museums, parks, and monuments shaped diverse social and cultural attitudes toward race, gender, labor, immigration, environment, and values, encouraging them to understand diverse worldviews and experiences.
By the end of this course, students will be able to apply appropriate methodological approaches to their analysis of primary sources and to organize their evidence to show historical continuities and discontinuities.
By the end of this course, students will be able to generate their own research question or topic, locate suitable primary and secondary sources, and synthesize their ideas in novel ways.
By the end of this course, students will be able to initiate, manage, complete, and evaluate their independent research projects in stages and to give and receive constructive feedback through the peer review process.
Topical Outline
Historical Context:
Cabinets of Curiosities
European Precedents
Historical Societies, Libraries, and Archives
Charles Willson Peale and Early American Museums
Monuments and Parks
P.T. Barnum and the Museum Showman
Saving Mount Vernon
The Formation of the Modern Museum
The Centennial Exposition and American History
The Period Room
The Battlefield Park
Monument Mania
Tourism and the WPA
Places of National Trauma and Memorialization
Living History
Culture Wars and Controversies
History as Experience
The Future of Material Public History
Hands-on Experiences:
Monument Scavenger Hunt on North Campus and website to present our findings
Meeting with New Georgia Encyclopedia staff
Material Culture Lab at the Special Collections Library: Learning to investigate an object
Exhibition tours at SCL and GMOA with public history professionals
Evaluating an Exhibition in an exhibition review
Exhibition research and design for brief public display
