Make History Matter with 91ÖÆƬ³§â€™s Public History Minor
Public History makes history accessible to all. The University of New England’s minor provides career preparation through training in making museum exhibitions, producing documentary audio and video, working in libraries and archives, presenting historical information on the web and in the media, and much more. You’ll gain practical experience via industry partnerships and internships while developing your skill in decoding and explaining history’s complexity.
Why 91ÖÆƬ³§ for your Public History minor
Maine's only Public History program helps launch your career with training ordinarily reserved for graduate-level students. Our experienced faculty are accomplished historical scholars, but they also bring industry experience in museums, film, television, journalism, and graphic design—all of which helps prepare you to bring history alive for the public. At 91ÖÆƬ³§, you’ll receive a solid foundation in general historical methodology while also gaining real-world experience in the public-facing applications of historical work, such as exhibitions, archival collections, historical interpretation, and audiovisual media. Our approach combines academic knowledge with hands-on learning and industry connections, preparing you to transform how history is shared while still in school.
Students in our Public History minor:
- Get hands-on training in exhibitions, archival work, digital media, and historical interpretation
- Learn with experienced faculty with multi-disciplinary backgrounds committed to publicly engaged history
- Engage the digital humanities through online exhibits, Geographic Information System mapping, podcasts, and ePortfolios to transform how history is interpreted and shared
- Experience an integrated approach that goes beyond the walls of the traditional classroom and prepares you for diverse, public-facing historical work
What will you study? Minor in Public History curriculum overview
Experiential Learning
Distinguished from our traditional History Minor by its emphasis on applied history, classes in Public History are centered around hands-on learning. You’ll interpret and present historical content for public audiences using a variety of narrative forms, including writing, digital media, and exhibition design, by partnering with local museums or even participating in archaeological digs.
Internships and Research
While not required for the minor, internships are a valuable learning tool where you can apply your classroom education to hands-on learning. You can help support local projects and organizations with their historical research, presentation, and public outreach. There are many opportunities on campus and with local organizations.
Examples of Available Courses
Our experienced faculty will teach you to engage the public through history with courses like:
- Telling Tales of the Past
- History Hands-On: Holocaust in History and Memory
- Environmental History of New England
- Oral History of the University of New England
- American Indian History and Culture
- What Actually Happened? Debating the American Revolution
- What Actually Happened? Debating Nationalism
Curriculum
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| HIS 150 – Telling Tales of the Past | 3 |
| Six (6) Credits of Program Specific Electives from History Major List A* (see below) | 6 |
| Six (6) Credits of Program Specific Electives from History Major List C* (see below) | 6 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
| Select One (1) of the Following Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| HIS 290 – History Hands-on Topics | 3 |
| HIS 291 – War Letters | 3 |
| HIS 292 – Mourning the Dead | 3 |
| HIS 295 – Medicine and the Media | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 18 |
|---|
*Of these twelve (12) elective credits, at least six (6) credits must be at the 300- or 400-level.
Program-Specific Elective Lists From History Major
| List A Electives | Credits |
|---|---|
| ARH 210 – Art History Survey I | 3 |
| ARH 211 – Art History Survey II | 3 |
| ARH 260 – Renaissance & Baroque Art | 3 |
| ARH 270 – Art in the Modern World | 3 |
| ARH 333 – Moroccan Theatre/Social Ch | 3 |
| HIS 199 – Expl: Topics in History | 3 |
| HIS 204 – Growing Up Female | 3 |
| HIS 230 – From Togas to Black Rats | 3 |
| HIS 231 – Reformations, Revolutions | 3 |
| HIS 240 – Latin Amer His I: Colonial Latin | 3 |
| HIS 241 – Latin Amer His II: Modern Latin | 3 |
| HIS 250 – American Women’s History I | 3 |
| HIS 251 – American Women’s History II | 3 |
| HIS 266 – Hist of Drugs in the Americas | 3 |
| HIS 276 – History Human Trad I | 3 |
| HIS 278 – Human Traditions | 3 |
| HIS 280 – History Internship | 3 |
| HIS 290 – History Hands On Topics | 3 |
| HIS 291 – War Letters | 3 |
| HIS 292 – Mourning the Dead | 3 |
| HIS 299 – History Topics | 3 |
| HIS 312 – College Girls | 3 |
| HIS 318 – Histories of London | 3 |
| HIS 335 – Environmental History of New England Seminar | 3 |
| HIS 337 – Topics in Women’s History | 3 |
| HIS 341 – Bestsellers & the Big Bad City | 3 |
| HIS 343 – Modern Tourism | 3 |
| HIS 344 – Postwar: Europe After WWII | 3 |
| HIS 349 – Hist of Gender/Sexuality in LA | 3 |
| HIS 351 – History of Modern Mexico | 3 |
| HIS 370 – Slaves/Citiz: Afr in New World | 3 |
| HIS 397 – History Independent Study | 1–12 |
| HIS 399 – Topics in History | 3 |
| HIS 400 – Topics in History | 3 |
| HIS 404 – Directed Readings in History | 3 |
| HIS 410 – Advanced Humanities Seminar | 3 |
| HIS 420 – History Internship | 3 |
| HIS 497 – History Independent Study | 1–12 |
| List C Electives | Credits |
|---|---|
| HIS 290 – History Hands on Topics | 3 |
| HIS 291 – War Letters | 3 |
| HIS 292 – Mourning the Dead | 3 |
| HIS 313 – American Indian History and Culture | 3 |
| HIS 335 – Environmental History of New England | 3 |
Please note: While some courses can fulfill both core and program requirements, the credits earned do not count twice towards the minimum total required credits for the degree.
Career Paths for Your Minor in Public History
91ÖÆƬ³§'s Public History minor equips students with versatile skills for diverse career paths in historical research, interpretation, and communication. The program's comprehensive approach prepares graduates for dynamic roles across multiple sectors.
Professional Opportunities Include
Media and Communication
- Documentary filmmakers
- Podcast producers
- Historical consultants
- Journalism
Museum Careers
- Curators
- Exhibit designers
- Collections managers
- Education coordinators
- Visitor services
Archival Positions
- Digital archivists
- Records managers
- Preservation specialists
Government and Non-Profit Sectors
- Historical researchers
- Grant writers
- Cultural heritage advocates
- Marketing and communications
Heritage Tourism
- Historical site interpreters
- Cultural resource managers
Educational Roles
- Educational program developers
- Curriculum designers focusing on historical interpretation
Digital Humanities
- Online exhibit creators
- Digital archive specialists
Apply Today
Ready to begin your future with 91ÖÆƬ³§â€™s Public History minor? Get started today.
