Museums, Archives and Public History - Major

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

Develop within students an experiential and practical knowledge of public history as a career and field.
Display knowledge of specific skills used in public history (oral history, digitalization, curation, archives, etc.).
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.

Required Public History Courses

HIS 370 - Public History Credits: 3
HIS 371 - Introduction to Museums Credits: 3
HIS 372 - Introduction to Archives Credits: 3
HIS 381 - Historical Methodology Credits: 3
HIS 480 Public History Senior Seminar Capstone: Problems in Public History Credits: 3
HIS 499 - History Comprehensive Credits: 0

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):

HIS 310 - PII African American History From 1619 - Present Credits: 3
HIS 320 - PII American Women’s History Credits: 3
HIS 328G - PII China in the Twentieth Century Credits: 3
HIS 348 - Presente! - History of Latinos in the United States Credits: 3

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):

HIS 310 - PII African American History From 1619 - Present Credits: 3
HIS 317 - PII Strange Brew: Alcohol, Temperence, and Gender in U.S. History Credits: 3
HIS 320 - PII American Women’s History Credits: 3
HIS 345 - New York State History Credits: 3
HIS 348 - Presente! - History of Latinos in the United States Credits: 3
HIS 413 - Natural Disasters in American Society Credits: 3

Internship Requirements

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

HIS 483 - History Internship I Credits: 3
HIS 484 - History Internship II Credits: 3
HIS XXX Internship Credits 3-6

Suggested Electives

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

ANT 102 - Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Archeology Credits: 3
ANT 380 - Food & Culture Credits: 3
AHI.Q 272 - Survey II: Late Renaissance thru 19th Century Art History Credits: 3
AHI.Q 123 - History of Photography Credits: 3
AHI 379 - PII American Art Credits: 3
COMM 340 - PII Cinema Studies Credits: 3
COMM 345 - Social Media Credits: 3
MGT 212 - Organization and Management Credits: 3
MKT 216 - Principles of Marketing Credits: 3
MKT 363 - Marketing Communications Credits: 3
RES 387 - PII Auschwitz and After: Religious Questions and Ethical Dilemmas Credits: 3
RES 386 - PII Malcolm and Martin: A Study of the American Civil Rights Movement Credits: 3

Sample Program

Freshman Year
Fall Semester		Spring Semester
ENGW 101 Exposition	3	ENGW 102 Argument & Research	3
PEQ (FYS), plus ACS 101	4	HIS Elective	3
PEQ 2	3	PEQ 3 (with lab)	4
Foreign Language	3	PEQ 4	3
Elective	3	Foreign Language	3
Total Semester Credits	16	Total Semester Credits	16
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester		Spring Semester
HIS 381	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	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	3	HIS 372	3
PEQ 8	3	History Elective (2)	3
History Elective (1)	3	Elective	3
Internship (1)	3	Elective	3
		CME 050 Core Milestone	0
Total Semester Credits	15	Total Semester Credits	15
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester		Spring Semester
Internship (3)	6	HIS 480 Capstone	3
Elective	3	Elective	3
Elective	3	Elective	3
Elective	3	Elective	3
		Elective	3
Total Semester Credits	15	Total Semester Credits	15