HIST 597: Topics in Applied History

HIST 597-002: Curating History
(Spring 2026)

07:20 PM to 10:00 PM R

East Building 134

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Section Information for Spring 2026

Curatorial practice is the key task for historians in museums, historic sites, and other institutions where exhibitions are the primary scholarly products. A curator in a museum is the scholarly equivalent position to a professor in a university. In this hands-on course you will learn the real-life building blocks and directly applied methodologies to curate exhibitions that center historical research and content. While most exhibition training focuses on art and art history, we will interpret historical topics to develop an exhibition script and content package. Material and intangible culture, imagery, design, community engagement, ethics, and visitor evaluation expand text-based inquiries. This course is suitable for all experience levels from novices to museum professionals on a public history track. It is also relevant to students who have an interest in curating a range of humanities and social sciences as a way to communicate research to a broader audience. 

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Addresses specific topics in applied history selected by the instructor, with emphasis on combining theoretical analysis and readings with attention to practices and skills of applied history. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 15 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.