Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Museums, Archives and Public History - Major


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Students who complete the B.A. in Museums, Archives and Public History develop skills fundamental to the successful practice of history in museums, archives, historical societies, national and state park departments, research institutes and galleries in the private and public sectors. Public history integrates the methods of the arts (liberal, visual and performing) with professional practice. The methods of public history are tied to service to community by emphasizing community memory and inclusion, engagement and dialog with the public as part of the practice and outcome of public history. Unique to this program is the strong integration of experiential learning in a variety of settings (internships) throughout the program.

Program Objectives

  • Prepare students for careers in which knowledge of history is a distinct advantage or essential, such as government and politics, museums, archives, historical societies, research institutes, advocacy groups, non-profits, and community organizations.
  • Prepare students for graduate work in Public History, Museums, Library Science, Archives, etc.
  • Provide advisement and mentoring for such students.
  • Develop opportunities for off campus experiential learning, in the U.S. and abroad. 
  • Develop opportunities for community service and engagement locally and nationally.
  • Develop methods and processes for collaborative undergraduate research.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Develop within students an experiential and practical knowledge of public history as a career and field.
  2. Display knowledge of specific skills used in public history (oral history, digitalization, curation, archives, etc.).
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the theories of public history as part of the realm of historical studies.

Core Curriculum Requirements


All Nazareth students complete Core Curriculum coursework as part of their degree requirements. The Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences while guiding students to pose and explore their own intellectual questions. See Academic Policies and Procedures  for specific core curriculum requirements. 

Elective - Oral History


Take one of the following courses (students cannot use the same course to fulfill the Oral History and the Local/Public History electives):

Electives - History


Students are required to complete two upper-division history courses (300-400 level) to enhance historical skills. Courses must differ from those used to complete the elective requirements for Oral History and Local/Public History.

Elective - Local/Public History


Take one of the following courses (students cannot use the same course to fulfill the Oral History and the Local/Public History electives):

Internship Requirements


Students are required to complete 12 credit hours of internship in a combination of one - three placements.

Suggested Electives


Although not required for the degree, students are strongly encouraged to explore coursework in cognate majors such as Anthropology, Art History, Communication, and Management, especially when considering their IS cluster. Note - upper division courses (200 level and above) that are not PEQ’s may also serve as Integrated Studies courses for the CORE.

Sample Program


Freshman Year
Fall Semester Spring Semester
ENGW 101 Exposition    3 ENGW 102 Argument and Research  3
PEQ (FYS), plus ACS 101 Academic and College Success   4 HIS Elective 3
PEQ 2 3 PEQ 3 with lab 4
Foreign Language with lab 4 PEQ 4 4
Elective 3 Foreign Language with lab 3
Total Semester Credits 17 Total Semester Credits 17
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
HIS 381 Historical Methodology   3 PEQ 6 3
Elective 3 PEQ 7 3
Local/Public History Elective 3 Integrative Studies (IS) 2 3
Integrative Studies (IS) 1 3 Oral History Elective 3
PEQ 5 3 HIS 370 Public History   3
Health & Wellness Course 0    
Total Semester Credits 15 Total Semester Credits 15
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
Integrative Studies (IS) 3 3 Internship (2) 3
HIS 371 Introduction to Museums    3 HIS 372 Introduction to Archives  3
PEQ 8 3 History Elective (2) 3
History Elective (1) 3 Elective 3
Internship (1) 3 Elective 3
    CME 050 Core Milestone Experience   0
Total Semester Credits 15 Total Semester Credits 15
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
Internship (3) 6 PHIS 480 Senior Seminar: Problems in Musuems, Archives, and Public History   3
Elective 3 Elective 3
Elective 3 Elective 3
Elective 3 Elective 3
    Elective 3
Total Semester Credits 15 Total Semester Credits 15

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