HIS 4318.01
Public History
Fall 2012
PMC 213
Wed 1:30-4
Brenda Taylor Matthews, Ph.D.
Poly United Methodist 241
Office Hours: MW 9-1:30
T 11-3, Th 11-1
btmatthews@txwes.edu
817.531.4916
Course Description: This course will acquaint the student with the field of public history.
Students will explore how historical knowledge is presented to the public through examining
public history sites and forums. Students will become knowledgeable of various methods used
by historians in the field of public history, including archiving, creation of history websites and
oral history.
Readings:
Assigned Readings.
Course Objectives:
Students will:
 Explore the field of Public History
 Learn the various ways history is communicated with the public
 Acquaint themselves with how public history sites contribute to public memory
 Analyze public presentations of history
 Examine the relationship between academic history and public history
 Become aware of the role and place of government policy in public history
 Acquire an understanding of skills necessary to advocate, research, and present history to
the public
 Explore career opportunities beyond the classroom
 Familiarize themselves with creation of a basic website/blog
Instructional Methods:
 Discussion of the scholarship in the public history field
 Examination of public history sites
 Field Visits to public history sites
 Application of public history methods
 Website/Blog Instruction
 Oral History Instruction
Evaluation and Grading:
1. Blog: 30 %
Each student will create a Public History blog to include the following components.
1.) Field Trip Attendance and Evaluations: 10%
Post a 500 word report on the site and its website, evaluating the site’s mission,
audience, usefulness. Include an evaluation of each site’s website in your post.
2.) Professional Historical Associations Report and Presentation: 10%
Choose an organization. Post a 500 word report on their purpose and founding.
Include an evaluation of their website. You will present this to class.
3.) Professional Journal Report and Presentation: 10%
Choose a professional journal (may choose journal of organization in 2 above. Post a
500 word report, including what is its audience, how long in existence, level of
scholarship, etc. You will present this to class.
2. Public History Experience: 30%
Each student must choose a site and have commitment with the site by September 5th.
1.) 30 Hour Commitment
o Volunteer as docent at museum
o Volunteer with Living History Site (such as Log Cabin Village)
o Work with Louis Sherwood in Wesleyan Archives
o Intern
2.) Each student will post a 750 word report on their experience at their site.
Include purpose of site, evaluation of website, your activities, how you can
translate this experience into a job history or even a job!
3. Texas Wesleyan Oral History Project: 35%
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
Institutional Review Board Training
Each student will be assigned an interviewee
Each student will transcribe the interview.
Detailed instructions will be given in classroom training.
Absence Policy:
Since this class meets only once per week, the university authorized absences of 5 could be
exceeded by more than one absence. Therefore, if a student misses more than one class, the final
grade will be reduced by one grade for each absence up to 3. The instructor reserves the right to
drop or fail any student missing more than 2 classes.
TEXAS WESLEYAN POLICIES:
"Students should read the current Texas Wesleyan University Catalog and Student Handbook to
become familiar with University policies. This includes but is not limited to grade appeal, sexual
harassment, student access to records, and others; policies specified in the current catalog are
applicable unless otherwise stated in this syllabus."
Academic Integrity: Please read your Texas Wesleyan catalog concerning cheating and
plagiarism. Also read the handout on plagiarism. Your receipt of this handout will be taken as
understanding of the policy.
Disability Policy: Texas Wesleyan University adheres to a disability policy which is in keeping
with relevant federal law. The University will provide appropriate accommodations. Students
must notify instructors of any permanent or temporary disabilities and must provide
documentation regarding those disabilities prior to the granting of an accommodation. For
assistance, students should consult with the Career, Counseling and Testing Center."
Syllabi Policy: "Course syllabi are intended to provide students with basic information
concerning the course. The syllabus can be viewed as a "blueprint" for the course; changes in
the syllabus can be made and students will be informed of any substantive changes concerning
examinations, the grading oar attendance policies and changes in project assignments."
Repeating Courses
Any course taken at Texas Wesleyan University and repeated for a grade must be repeated at Texas
Wesleyan University. Any course taken at another institution may be repeated at Texas Wesleyan, and
the most recent grade on the course will be counted. When a course is repeated, the grade point average
will be computed using the most recent grade achieved.
WEMS
Texas Wesleyan University
Emergency Messaging System
Go to Texas Wesleyan University Home Page
Txwes.edu
On lower left side of screen look for “Quick Links.”
Under the drop-down box, select WEMS
“Click Here” to create an account.
Enter your Wesleyan Email Address.
A Password will be emailed to your account.
Complete the “Texas Wesleyan Emergency System Account Portal” Page and hit submit.
You are now registered for the Texas Wesleyan Emergency Message System!
HIS 4318 Public History
August 22
Introduction
Blog
IRB Qualification
August 29
Blog
Oral History
Arranging Volunteer Site
September 5
Oral History
September 12
Louis Sherwood Presentation
September 19
Site Visit: Amon Carter Museum 2:00
Let me know who needs ride/who is driving/who is meeting
September 26
Classroom Activities and Blog Day
October 3
Presentations:
1. Professional Historical Association
2. Professional Journal
October 10
Classroom Activities and Blog Day
October 17
Classroom Activities and Blog Day
October 24
Site Visit: Log Cabin 2:00
Let me know who needs a ride/who is driving/who is meeting
October 31
Site Visit: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History 2:00
Let me know who needs a ride/who is driving/who is meeting
November 7
Classroom Activities and Blog Day
November 14
Site Visit: Fort Worth Library and Tarrant County Archive 2:00
Let me know who needs a ride/who is driving/who is meeting
November 21
No Class, Day before Thanksgiving!
November 28
Class Wrap-up
Volunteer Experience Presentation
Oral History Experience Presentation