Historic Preservation Program Courses

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The Practicum/Internship is the final requirement for the Certificate in Historic Preservation. It is restricted to "majors" in the Historic Preservation Program and is generally taken as the last course in the sequence of required courses for the certificate, although students may be enrolled simultaneously for the Practicum/Internship and other courses in the program. Students not enrolled in the program may take the Practicum/Internship as part of their other studies, with the permission of the Director, although this is not encouraged.

To enroll in AmSt 695, you must submit a practicum/internship topic and proposal to the Director for approval. Upon receipt of approval, the student will be given a special approval code for registration.

The Practicum/Internship is intended to advance the student's knowledge of the field and to research areas of special interest. Since the project is meant to be of a practical character, students are encouraged especially to take advantage of work-related opportunities in the field. Past Practica/Internships, for example, have included research reports carried out for Cultural Resource Management firms, studies conducted for non-profit organizations, research and exhibits undertaken for museums, and results of on-going advocacy projects. Students should view the Practicum/Internship as an opportunity to explore areas they have never had an opportunity to consider, and to build on and consolidate projects in which they have had prior involvement.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING:

Course Options:
The course offers two principal options: one, a formal internship with an approved preservation-related organization; or two, a research project, determined in consultation with the Director of the Historic Preservation Program. Briefly, Option One [internship] requires at least 320 hours (eight weeks) of work, either paid or volunteer, for an approved preservation-related organization and a written report of approximately 10 pages (2,500 words) and formal presentation on activities. Option Two can be considered as a "mini-thesis," requiring approximately the same expenditure of time and effort. Those taking Option Two [research project] are encouraged to pick a topic of a practical or "applied" character and are also required to make a formal presentation of their work, along with a substantially longer written report. Typically, an Option Two [research project] would require a paper of approximately 50 pages (12,000-15,000 words).

Standards of Scholarship:
It must be emphasized that American Studies 695, Practicum/Internship, is intended to represent a substantial contribution to the historic preservation field. Students are expected to carry out the work in a timely and professional manner and to view the process as a rigorous and formal one. Examples of past Practica/Internships are available for reference. In essence, Option One candidates are expected to present the results of an intensive internship in the field. Option Two candidates will complete what might be considered as a short thesis. Students are expected to use slides, overhead transparencies and other visual aids to present their work in a professional manner. All written material submitted shall be neatly typed and illustrated as deemed necessary to the project chosen. Students should consult the Chicago Manual of Style (and various research aids) for this work. All footnotes, endnotes and bibliographic entries shall be completed in accordance with the Chicago Manual.

Meetings and Progress Reports: The course is undertaken with the supervision of the Director of the Historic Preservation Program. Students are required to meet with the Director during the first or second week of the term and set a work schedule at that time. Subsequent meetings with the Director are held as necessary. A progress report must be submitted at mid-term (week 8 of the term), at which time it will be determined whether the student will be able to complete the course during the term in which he or she is enrolled or whether an extension is required. [Students will be allowed a maximum of two extensions of one term each for completion of requirements, but are strongly encouraged to complete the work during the initial term in which they are enrolled. A grade of "Incomplete" ("I") will be given at the end of the initial term of enrollment, which will be changed only upon completion and submission of the required work. Any request for extension beyond two terms will be considered on a case-by-case basis and only for extenuating circumstances, such as ill-health or other unforeseen problems.]

Project Submission and Presentation:
The internship report (Option One) or research project paper (Option Two) must be submitted at least three weeks before the end of the term in which the student plans to complete the course requirements. At this time the student and the Director will also coordinate the date and time for the colloquium presentation, to which any interested faculty, students or public may attend. This deadline allows sufficient time to publicize the presentation and no exceptions will be allowed. Students are expected to present the results of their work or the content of their paper in a formal context, answer questions about their work, and demonstrate a familiarity with related general preservation issues and concerns.

Grading:
Grades will be based on the following:

Option One [Internship]:

• Attendance at required meetings and submission of progress reports: 25%
• Evaluation by internship agency supervisor:
• 25% Written report on activites: 25%
• Formal presentation on activites: 25%

Option Two [Research Project]:

• Attendance at required meetings and submission of progress reports: 25%
• Final presentation (colloquium): 25%
• Paper: 50%

For more information:
Contact the Historic Preservation Program office or the Director for details or questions not covered herein.