To provide historical services for area institutions and for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The principal track of the public history, designed to prepare students for positions in museums, historic sites, and local historical societies. It consists of the following required courses. Half of the course explores the nature of historical consciousness, the other half introduces students to history in various settings through guest speakers and field trips to area archives, museums, and historic sites.
Course requires substantial group research paper on topic of interest.
At least one course in material culture. Several courses presently taught on campus introduce students to the study of objects. Kevin Sweeney of Amherst College and Kenneth Hafertepe of Historic Deerfield also teach courses of various aspects of material culture open to UMass graduate students by arrangement. An advanced level course concerning the practice of museums and historic sites. Course requires field project with local museum or historic site.