Public History

Photo of Students inside a Conference Room with a Projector on in the background — Xavier students visit Ubisoft Studios, Montreal, to learn about the making of the historically-themed video game Assassin's Creed.

Public History is the research and presentation of history specifically for popular consumption. Public historians are found in museums, historical sites, archives, non-profits, and digital ventures.

A concentration in Public History within the History major or a minor in Public History for students who are not History majors will enhance the skills that make History majors and minors successful in their careers and/or advanced degrees. These include the ability to find, organize, and analyze information and to communicate orally, in writing, and using digital technology.

The experiential component of Public History strengthens students’ engagement in their classes. According to the National Council on Public History, “Students who get involved in hands-on research early in their undergraduate careers not only are more likely to graduate, but they also tend to graduate with significantly higher grade point averages than students who do not participate in research.”

Requirements:

Minor in Public History (20 hours)

Introduction to Public History (History Elective)
Two additional History Electives chosen in consultation with Public History advisor
Public History and Communities: Practicum I & II (History Seminars)
Internship in Public History I & II
COMM 104: Video Production for Non-EM Majors OR ARTS 215 Web Design (either counts for Core Curriculum)

Concentration in Public History for History Majors

(same number of hours as History Major)

Introduction to Public History (History Elective)
Public History and Communities: Practicum I & II (History Seminars)
Internship in Public History I & II
COMM 104: Video Production for Non-EM Majors OR ARTS 215 Web Design (either counts for Core Curriculum)