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Public History in the Wild

Assignment Details

Description

Over the course of the semester, you will be required to create four (4) posts for our "Public History in the Wild" blog that documents the public history artifacts / exhibitions / interpretations / methods that you encounter in your daily life. You will use our WordPress blogging platform to upload a photograph of your "wild" public history moment and include a brief description (4-6 sentences) of its significance. (You may complete an optional fifth assignment for extra credit, but need to tell me you're doing so.)

Objectives

  • Practice writing for a public audience
  • Practice writing concisely in preparation of your exhibit and label text
  • Learn to read your environment like a public historian
  • Familiarize yourself with local history
  • Learn WordPress platform

Grading

Each PH Wild post is worth 5pts. You are required to complete four (4) blog posts. Grades will be assigned based on the following criteria:

  • under 100 words (2pt)
  • engaging content (1pt)
  • clear photograph(s) w/ alt-text (1pt)
  • properly categorized / tagged (1pt)

Due Dates

  • September 19, 2019
  • October 03, 2019
  • October 15, 2019
  • November 21, 2019
infographic outlining logistics of the assignment

Instructions

  1. Sign into WordPress and familiarize yourself with the Dashboard.
  2. Take a photograph of your "Public History in the Wild" subject. Make sure that you somehow include proof that you were there (i.e. do not download a photograph from the internet). Options for proof include, but aren’t limited to, selfies, admission tickets, day/time stamps, etc. Get creative and have fun!
  3. Write your blog post. Blog posts should be less than 100 words and written for a public audience. The first half (50 words or so) should contextualize the "wild" public history, and the second half should give your own interpretation / response. If you look up additional information about your historical artifact, you must cite your source with parenthetical citations and hyperlinks where appropriate.
  4. Post the photo on the blog. Be sure to give yourself credit for the photograph and include "alt text" for the image so that our blog meets accessibility requirements.
  5. Categorize your post. Your posts must include the category "Fall 2019." You must also choose from the other relevant available categories. For instance, a photograph of an exhibition you visited about modern-day slavery at the Underground Railroad Freedom Center may also be categorized as "museum" and "exhibit."
  6. Tag your post. Your posts must also include a series of tags. These are more specific than categories. For instance, the tags for the previous example might include: Underground Railroad Freedom Center, slavery, and sex trafficking.
  7. Publish your post.