Course Director: Prof. J. Bonnell - bonnellj@yorku.ca
This course examines the forms, goals, and practices of making history in museums, archives, historic sites, and other institutions of public history. It enables students to learn the meaning and methods in the production of memory and introduces them to the practical skills for the public presentation of historical knowledge. The course combines analytical study with a part-time placement in a public-history site. Course credit exclusion: GL/HIST 4310 6.0
Note: Priority is given to History Honours Majors and Minors who have successfully completed at least 84 credits.
This course is required for completion of the History department’s cross-disciplinary undergraduate Certificate in Public History:
https://history.laps.yorku.ca/public-history-certificate/
Expanded Course Description (expanded from course calendar description):
Public history investigates the ways that history is understood by and interpreted for the public. This course examines the history, theory, and practice of public history in a wide variety of venues, including museums, archives, historic sites, the internet, and film. In addition to class readings and discussions, skills workshops throughout the course will introduce students to the practical skills for the public presentation of historical knowledge, including oral history interview techniques, communication and presentation skills, and digital tools for public history. Students will meet practitioners in the field and visit several public history-related sites. The course combines analytical study with a part-time placement with a public-history site.
Organization of the Course:
Class meetings in the fall semester will include discussions of readings, skills workshops, guest speakers, and several field trips.
In the Winter semester, students will be placed with a museum, archives, heritage institution, or digital history initiative for the placement portion of the course. Students will submit rationale statements for their top three placement picks; the professor will endeavour to place students at one of their selected sites. Students will provide 120 hours of service (10 hours/week) to their public history placements over the winter term. They will negotiate their schedules directly with their on-site supervisor and keep track of their weekly activities in a logbook. At the end of the winter term, students will present their projects at an annual Student Public History conference attended by history department faculty, placement supervisors, and fellow students.
There are no weekly class meetings in the Winter term. Instead, the class will meet roughly once per month, mostly over zoom, to discuss upcoming assignments and check in on placement progress.
Course Learning Objectives:
Students who successfully complete requirements for History 4840 will be able to:
• identify key debates within the scholarly literature on public history and describe how those debates have changed over time
• identify, describe, and evaluate distinct scholarly approaches to historical questions about public history
• analyse and critique concrete experiences of public history practice, from monuments to films, websites, and heritage site visits
• conduct independent research on a specific topic using primary sources in archives, libraries, and heritage sites
• read original evidence, scholarly arguments, and relevant popular depictions closely and critically
• devise a public history project, exploring and synthesizing a wide range of sources, crafting a narrative about the past, and presenting it in an accessible and creative manner (podcast, journalistic news article, walking tour, short film, etc.)
• collaborate and communicate in a professional manner with institutions and/or community organizations
• explain and evaluate themes, concepts, and approaches relevant to public history
You could work here!
Sarah Persichitti & Ohan Stamboulian worked at The Markham Museum
Manprit Gill worked a the Archives of Ontario
Christina Bialy worked at the Black Creek Pioneer Village
Luiza Samoilescu worked at the Archives of Ontario
Adriana Mitreska worked at the Scarborough Museum
FAQ
What is a placement?
You will apply for a position within an organization, where you’ll practise and develop the skills learned in your course.
Will I be paid?
No. You’ll receive course credit because each placement experience is tied to a particular course.
Will I be graded?
Yes. You’ll be assigned a supervisor who will guide you through the experience and evaluate your performance.
How long is the placement?
You will work part-time so you can continue your studies. The length varies by course.
How do I apply?
You’ll get a job description that outlines the application process, which usually involves a resumé and cover letter, interview and references.
Will I be insured while on placement?
Students who are on an unpaid placement are fully insured by York University.
I was an undergraduate student in the Department of History, and my experience was the monumental factor that started my career. I work in the museum field, and the experiential approach to education as embodied by the Public History program’s foundation, still many years later, is an invaluable asset to my day-to-day. Being able to work on-site in a museum during the semester and having coursework that relates directly to your co-op is incredibly useful.
— Ohan Stamboulian
Alumnus, History '16