Syllabi – Public History

Looking to put together a syllabus for a class in public history? Fortunately, you can benefit from the learned wisdom of other teachers and scholars.

College and University sites

Because college and university websites are constantly changing, you may wish to check the history home pages for undergraduate and graduate programs in public history. Faculty members may post new syllabi for their students at the beginning of each term.

Programs in public history > Where to study public history

Other resources and bibliographies

• Those interested in compiling their own course syllabus may wish to consult reference books including Cherstin M. Lyon, Elizabeth M. Nix and Rebecca K. Shrum’s Introduction to Public History: Interpreting the Past, Engaging Audiences. (Rowman & Littlefield, 2017).  Most recent general public history anthologies and specific topic anthologies contain excellent bibliographies, as well.
• “A cry for help: collegial syllabus revision” by Denise Meringolo, Director of Public History at UMBC (2014)
• The Public Historian as well as the recent publication lists or websites of publishers that specialize in public history, such as Krieger and AltaMira Press, may also be useful.
• Controversial Monuments and Memorials: A Guide for Community Leaders by David B. Allison. This book addresses tough issues that public historians and others who face the challenge of competing historical memory.
• Course bibliographies can be compiled by using the publications and workshops lists of important publishers and organizations in the field. For example, a search of the website for the American Association for State and Local History provides a list of their publications, their technical leaflet and video series (Mmust have AASLH membership or they cost $6 each. The Conserve O Grams from the NPS are free options.), and workshop agendas that can provide useful ideas for classes and short-term courses.
• The American Alliance of Museums sometimes presents agendas for continuing education programs. Individual organizations sometimes provide great links through their websites, such as the Society of Architectural Historians’ web resources page.
• Links through the Organization of American Historians’ Teaching Resource Center may also prove useful; there are specific teaching units about commemorative sculpture in the United States and about World’s Fairs, among others.
• The National Council on Social Studies is another potentially helpful connection. Other teaching ideas can be found in the logs of the various e-mail discussion lists, including: the American Cultural Resources Association , H-PUBLIC and the lists on H-NET.
• History @Work from the National Council on Public History can be searched for Education.