HIST*6590:  Public History, Heritage, and Historical Consciousness 
Fall 2021

Instructor: Dr. Alan Gordon

This course will develop the skills to critically examine uses of history in the public sphere.  We will look at past and current controversial uses of History, with a focus North America.  This course is not a class on public history methods or practices.  It is a critical examination of historical consciousness, the uses of memory, and heritage in the public sphere.  Seminars will be conducted in a remote synchronous format.
 
There will be a mix of long and short written assignments, including a major written assignment of approximately 20 pages. In addition, each participant in the seminar is expected to come to class prepared to discuss the week's readings.  Seminar participation will comprise at least 20% of the final grade.  Everyone should expect to read the equivalent of 5-7 articles per week, and be prepared to discuss them in seminar.

Supporting questions and reading materials will be available on the Courselink site and through the university library.  

**Please note:  This is a preliminary web course description only.  The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description.  The final, binding course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester.**