Master of Arts in History-Practicum Option

The course addresses the development of core research skills for advanced historical study. Through case studies analyses, the evaluation of different types of historical evidence, and the consideration of how valid research questions are formulated and applied, it is designed to refine the critical thinking, research, and writing skills that are fundamental to valid historical scholarship.

This course is the study of historical thought from its emergence in the classical world to the present. Students concentrate on how history has been interpreted, rather the facts of history themselves as well as contemplate the fundamental questions about the nature of history, and investigate the relationships between theory and evidence in historical writing. Emphasis is on the narratives historians have used to reconstruct the past, and the major historiographical schools of thought that have developed over time.

The Seminar in Public History examines the varied and interdisciplinary "field" of Public History--such as community/local history, historic preservation, archives, historical archaeology, museum studies, business and policy history, documentary editing and publishing, and documentary films--through readings, class discussions, occasional guest speakers, and occasional field trips. The central theme explores some of the many ways people create and convey history, some of the major themes in community and social history, and the problems and possibilities of working as historians in public settings.

This course examines the theory and practice of managing archival documents, such as personal papers, institutional records, photographs, electronic records, and other unpublished materials. Topics include: manuscript and records acquisition and appraisal, arrangement and description, conservation and preservation, reference, and access. The course provides in-depth study of current issues and practices in archives, addressing fundamental problems, theoretical principles, techniques, and practical administration of archives and manuscripts; the importance of records in the modern information age; discussion of the types and varieties of archival repositories and the value of historical records beyond traditional research use.

This course explores oral history as a research methodology and studies the current “historiography of oral history.” The topics examine how oral history projects are initiated, how projects are administered, how interviews are conducted, and how oral history interviews are preserved and made available to researchers. Special emphasis is on the use of technology in making oral histories available to researchers on the Web. Students will gain practical experience in oral history interviewing and related aspects of oral history, such as transcribing, editing, and publishing oral histories.

This course examines the history, theory, and current issues of preservation practices in the United States. and beyond. The themes center on the historical roots of preservation, rather narrowly focused on repairing old buildings, and the modern, broad field of preservation in terms of individuals, societies, and cultures and their relationships to the built environment and cultural landscape. Special emphasis is on the multidisciplinary nature of the preservation field and the public nature of its practice.

This course is a study of objects, buildings, and landscapes and how to evaluate their contexts of display through three-dimensional stories over the course of two centuries, drawing mainly on examples in the United States. Students examine issues such as the relationship of collections and landscapes to identity; the intersection of commerce and culture; and the influence of museums on intellectual culture. Key themes focus on the role of museums and exhibitions in preserving a view of the past and developing an image of progress; and how they change in response to the various contexts in which and for which they exist.

This advanced course explores the nature of the Web for historical research. Students will be exposed to techniques for evaluating and discovering “trusted” resources, as well as participation in related scholarly communities. In addition, the class provides theoretical underpinnings for the digitization of analog materials and controls for “born-digital” resources as part of a preservation program. Topics to be explored include: selection for preservation, copyright issues, digital longevity, formats and strategies for preservation, metadata to support digital preservation, maintaining the integrity and authenticity of digital materials, management of digitization and digital preservation programs, risk management, and disaster recovery

The experiential or practical component of the course aims to apply learning in an aspect of interest related to the degree and concentration in Public History. It is understood to be a supervised practicum that requires approval by APUS before entering into the relationship with the organization. The selection of an organization or site for the practicum must relate to the content of the student’s course work and/or concentration. Goals of the applied practicum and integration seminar will be submitted by the student for approval using an application for approval to the Faculty member, Department Chair and Dean of the School, Arts and Humanities. The organization will serve as an opportunity to experience the practice of an area of management related to the focus of the student’s degree.