Graduate Courses in Public History

This list includes courses approved after the publication of the 2010-2012 Graduate Catalog .

6510/ 7510 Seminar: Public History. Three credits. The professional nature of public history, the interpretation of history for diverse audiences, and the application of historical methods in the wider world. Combines reading and discussion, interaction with practicing professionals, and possible experiential learning component.

6610/ 7610 Essentials of Historic Preservation and Cultural Resources Management. Three credits. Regulatory policies and procedures employed by federal, state, and local agencies in the work of identifying, evaluating, recording, preserving, and managing the historical, architectural, and cultural resources of the United States. Emphasis on implementing the National Historic Preservation Act and the documentation requirements of the National Register of Historic Places.

6520/ 7520 Seminar: Historic Preservation. Three credits. Readings and research on selected topics related to the history, organization, and administration of historic preservation in the United States and to the use of the community as a classroom.

6560/ 7560 Seminar: Cultural Resource Management. Three credits. Intensive study of cultural resource preservation planning and protection using National Park Service themes and definitions for history and prehistory. Emphasizes ethnic diversity in evaluating historic sites, linear parks, heritage trails, and national monuments.

6535/ 7535 Essentials of Museum Management. Three credits. Examines history, theory, and methodologies of museums. Explores the roles of history museums in diverse communities and career options in museums, including administration, exhibit development, education, and collections.

6540/ 7540 Seminar: Museum Management. Three credits. In-depth analysis of museum management issues from acquisitions and collections to curatorial care and exhibitions. Includes advanced problem-solving for museum staff and consideration of ethical issues such as repatriation of artifacts.

6615/7615 Essentials of Archival Management. Three credits. Examines major concepts, vocabulary, standards, professional ethics, and current issues in archival management. Includes readings, class discussions, and in-class exercises supplemented by guest lectures, field trips, and a field project.

6620/7620 Seminar in Archival Management. Three credits. Prerequisite: HIST 4910/5910 or equivalent. In-depth study of the nature of records and record keeping, communication and information management theory, and the seven domains of archival practice through lectures, readings, discussion, and research. Also addresses the impact of emerging technologies on archival management.

6545/ 7545 Seminar in Management of Collections for Historical Organizations and Archives. Three credits. Prerequisite: HIST 4910/5910 or 4920/5920 or equivalent. Examines theory and practice of collection management practices in archives and museums; designed to prepare students to manage archives and museum collections in a variety of cultural institutions.

6220/ 7220 Seminar in Public Programming for Historical Organizations and Archives. Three credits. Examines the theory and practice of educational outreach and public programming for historical organizations. Designed to provide in-depth study in reference services, outreach, history education, advocacy, exhibit development, and assessment for a variety of cultural institutions.

6225/7225 Oral History: Theory and Methodology. Three credits. Examines theory and methodology of oral history, including in-depth examination of the relationship of history and memory; explores oral history in texts, films, websites, and museum exhibits. Students learn how to conduct professional quality oral history interviews, how to process materials, and how to organize a professional project.

6555/7555 Archaeology and Public History. Three credits. Explores the relationship between archaeological research and public history with emphasis on methodology, theory, and interpretation and how to ethically and effectively communicate conclusions to the public.

6590 Practicum in Archival Management. Three credits. Opportunity for students interested in careers in archival management to complete an in-depth practice-based study in a specialized topic in archival management and to develop skills in project design and management under the joint supervision of MTSU faculty and staff of a sponsoring entity. See: Recent Internships and Practicums

6570 Public History Internship. Three credits. Full-time apprenticeship (300 hours) with a public or private historical agency or institution of regional or national significance. Internships offered during the summer months and may be paid. Enrollment limited to history students in the public history program.
See: Recent Internships and Practicums

6530/ 7530 Seminar: Administration of Historical Organizations. Three credits. Intensive study of administrative functions, issues, and problems common to historical organizations. Combines reading and discussion, team problem-solving, and experiential learning component served in a local historical organization.

6550/ 7550 Seminar: American Material Culture. Three credits. Intensive study of cultural heritage resources available in the local community and methods for identifying, analyzing, and incorporating them into existing social studies and history courses.

6551/ 7551 Seminar: American Architectural History. Three credits. Prerequisite: HIST 4660/5660 or equivalent. In-depth, field-based exploration of the historiography, research questions, literature, and methodology of American architectural history designed to prepare students to conduct research and to prepare resource documentation to current professional standards.

6190/ 7190 Seminar: State and Local History. Three credits. An intensive inquiry into sources of state and local history. Several research papers using primary materials required.

6993/7993 Current Issues in Public History Practice. Three credits. Examines timely issues of public history practice in depth with a nationally recognized scholar in the field of historic preservation, cultural resources management, museum management, or other area of professional practice.

6994/7994 Advanced Projects in Public History. Three credits. Provides individualized, advanced training in historic preservation, cultural resources management, museum management, archival management, or other areas of public history practice.

7991/ 7992 Professional Residency Colloquium. Six credits each. Doctoral students participate in a colloquium in conjunction with an assignment to a professional residency at one of the centers of excellence or at an institution of similar national reputation. Participants meet at least once each month, in sessions open to faculty and staff, to analyze common readings and individual/group projects. See: Recent Residencies