Public History, Minor

Location(s): On Campus

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Most people in the United States have little interaction with professional historical researchers; instead, they interact with the past through museums, historic sites, documentary films, websites, and other public history spaces. The Public History Minor combines history, management, communication, civic engagement, and marketing skills, all of which are essential for staff and leaders in museums, historical sites, and other cultural institutions. This minor helps prepare students for initial positions leading to careers in museums, historical interpretation, historic preservation, heritage tourism, historical archives, and oral history programs. The minor also prepares students for graduate study leading to careers in the growing field of public history with coursework in the foundations, methods, theories, and ethics of public history.

Student Learning Objectives

Students will:

Demonstrate competency in researching and writing history.
Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of history to a broader public beyond academia.
Demonstrate an understanding of the challenges of collaboration with community partners on a public history project.
Identify potential career options that leverage their work in public history as a minor.

Minor Requirements (24 hours)

1. Required (21 hours)

BUS 303: Principles of Marketing Credit: 3
COM 216: Intercultural Communication Credit: 3
HIS 130: The American Experience to 1877 Credit: 3
HIS 135: The American Experience Since 1877 Credit: 3
HIS 300: Historical Methods & Historiography Credit: 3
HIS 358: Public History and Historic Preservation Credit: 3
HIS 452: Field Study Credit: 1-12 (3 hours required for minor)

2. Electives (3 hours)

One additional 300-level HIS course chosen in consultation with the public history advisor

3 additional hrs of HIS 452 Field Study