Take your studies out of the classroom and apply the skills you’ve learned in an actual work situation. Typically taken in fourth year, a practicum or placement course allows you to apply for an unpaid position within an organization and work part-time for course credit. You’ll get hands-on experience, opportunities to network with people working in your chosen field, and insight into the kinds of employment positions and activities you might encounter after graduation.
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.
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