Course Description
Explores the place of the past in contemporary life and introduces the field of public history: the effort to make history for and with audiences beyond the university.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
Historical Comprehension: analyze historical duration, succession, and change in terms of human agency and larger systems or structures [Weekly Reflection, Vlog, Outline of Digital History Exhibit]
Students will be able to explain what public history is, its importance, and point to specific examples in the field to others unfamiliar with the topic
Historical Analysis: use historical thinking to contextualize and analyze primary and secondary sources representing different points of view [Initial Proposal, Vlog, Outline of Digital History Exhibit]
Students will recognize the way in which history is framed for public interpretation in museums, digital history, and other public-facing methods covered in this course
Students will understand how primary sources are created and preserved through historical means including oral history, community research, and the archive
Historical Research: conduct original research by investigating and interpreting primary and secondary sources [Initial Proposal, Vlog, Outline of Digital History Exhibit]
Students will identify primary and secondary sources to interpret for their final digital history exhibit through searching historical databases, special collections, online exhibits, and other digital means
Historical Interpretation: use evidence-based reasoning to interpret the past coherently while developing and presenting an original argument, orally and in writing [Final Digital History Exhibit]
Students will create an original digital history exhibit based on their interpretation of primary and secondary sources
Students will write with clearer prose and speak with more concision
Course Grading Information:
Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
Weekly Reflections | 30% |
Initial Proposal | 15% |
Vlog Reflection on a Chosen Primary Source | 10% |
Comment on Two Peers’ Vlog Reflection | 5% |
Outline of Digital History Exhibit | 10% |
Peer Review of Digital History Exhibit Outline 5% | 5% |
Final Digital History Exhibit | 25% |
Grading Scale:
Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
93-100% | A |
90-92% | A- |
87-89% | B+ |
83-86% | B |
80-82% | B- |
77-79% | C+ |
73-76% | C |
70-72% | C- |
63-69% | D |
0-63% | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Student participation will be gauged through the weekly reflections assignment which count as 30% of the course final grade.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
No course materials are required.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.