Course Description

This experiential introductory course offers students opportunities to research and develop public history projects using primary and secondary sources. Students may create or contribute to digital projects, documentaries, exhibitions, walking tours and present their work in a public forum open to both the university and Athens communities.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
In addition to completing the readings and assignments required of undergraduates, graduate students will be asked to: (1) draft a project description for a potential grant proposal; (2) present their project to the class for feedback before presenting the project outside of class to a public audience; and (3) prepare a 10-15 page paper examining an issue in the field of public history.

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Athena Title

Hands-on Public History

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Prerequisite

Any 2000-level HIST course

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Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

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Student Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this course, students will be able to arrive at conclusions about key topics in public history 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 public history can 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 public history and to organize their projects to show historical continuities and discontinuities.
• By the end of this course, students will be able to generate their own public history projects, locate suitable artifacts and 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.

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Topical Outline

• Introduction to Public History Methods Introduction to Archival Resources Planning and Script Writing Collecting Oral Histories Documentary Basics Exhibition Narratives Walking Tour Programming Reaching Younger Audiences Establishing Your Target Audience Digital Projects

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Institutional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.

Communication

The ability to effectively develop, express, and exchange ideas in written, oral, interpersonal, or visual form.

Creativity & Innovation

The capacity to combine or synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways and the experience of thinking, reacting, and working in an imaginative way characterized by innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.

Critical Thinking

The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.

Social Awareness & Responsibility

The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.

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