Mira Sucharov, Public Influence: A Guide to Op-Ed Writing and Social Media Engagement (2019) | kindle, paperback, or hardcover
Portfolio hosting via Reclaim Hosting - $30
This course offers an extended focus on the methods of Public History, building on the conceptual knowledge gained in the Introduction to Public History course. Students will learn strategies for and practice using techniques including writing for public audiences and digital publishing. Students will also learn about concepts important across public history fields including grant writing, communication and publicity, and education and accessibility. Students will work in this course to develop their brand and their professional materials, including resume and/or CV, LinkedIn profile, and a portfolio. In this course, students will work toward creating a proposal for a capstone project to be completed alongside or as part of their internship. Required before internship.
Professional interaction and networking involves respect, open dialogue, and timely responses. In this course, all students will aim to prioritize these skills.
Date & Topics | Read & Prepare for Class | Tasks To Do |
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Class 1: M 3/2 Capstone Topics: Historical Research Professionalization Topics: Resumes and Cover Letters Guest Speaker: STRIVE Career Center |
Being a Historical Detective LISTEN Mob Queens - Episodes 1-5 (approx. 2.5 hours); Or find in your favorite podcast app. ** Please note there is some explicit content in these podcasts. If this is a concern for you, please let Dr. Wieck know. REFLECT While the content of this podcast is really interesting (or so I think), I'd like for you to focus on the historical work they are doing. How do they identify leads? How do they research those leads? What do you think about the conclusions they're drawing? Are there things they are doing that are problematic? What do you admire most about their research and storytelling? Resume BRING Bring TWO PRINTED copies of a recent resume and cover letter, if you have them. ________________________________FURTHER RESOURCES |
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Class 2: W 3/4 Capstone Topics: Project Planning and Capstone Overview Professionalization Topics: Branding Yourself and Social Media; Using Instagram |
Branding Yourself and Social Media READ Mira Sucharov, A Guide to Op-Ed Writing and Social Media Engagement, chapters 7-12 (pages 67-148). READ Digital Pathways, "Instagram for Museums" READ Digital Pathways, "Social Media for Museums: An Overview" READ Russell Dornan, "Should Museums Have a Personality?" READ Benjamin Chacon, "The Ultimate Guide to Instagram Hashtags in 2020" ________________________________FURTHER RESOURCES |
Instagram Takeover -- assign REFLECT Twitter thread or short blog post reflecting on the readings |
SPRING BREAK!!! |
Begin to think about your capstone project and consider doing outreach to seek a community partner. |
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Class 3: M 3/16: NO CLASS |
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Class 4: W 3/18 - no class Capstone Topics: Historical Background and Context |
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Cover Letter and Resume Drafts Capstone Update (v.0) -- Email Dr. Wieck an update with your progress on your capstone proposal topic. |
Class 5: M 3/23 Live class from 8:00-9:00PM Professionalization Topics: Creating Social Media Strategies Professionalization Topics: LinkedIn |
READ US National Archives, "Social Media Strategy - Read Intro, Vision, and Goals 1-4. READ Rachel Gonzalez, "Keep the Conversation Going: How Museums Use Social Media to Engage the Public" WATCH-OPTIONAL Sarah Heffern, Kirsten Hower, Raina Regan, Liz Williams, "Building Connections Using Social Photography" READ Adam Koszary, "Seven broad statements that may or may not help your museum do a bit better at social media" READ-OPTIONAL Adam Koszary, "Look at this absolute unit" READ Sophie Gilbert, "Please Turn On Your Phone in the Museum " READ W. Ryan Dodge, "EPIC Content: How to build high impact content" READ Colleen Dilenschneider, "Social Media is More Important Than Ever For Cultural Entities – Here’s What You Need to Know" READ-OPTIONAL Colleen Dilenschneider, "Game Changer: Social Media Followers Report Better Experiences At Cultural Organizations" WATCH Wieck video on using LinkedIn on Canvas CANCELLEX Wieck video with Darren on using Social Media as a Brand ________________________________ FURTHER RESOURCES
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Capstone Proposal (v.1) -- Submit your abstract, goals, and stakeholder sections |
Class 6: W 3/25 - no class Capstone Topics: Public History Best Practices |
Work on developing your Capstone Proposal (v.2) READ Read two articles/chapters/items about public history methods related to your capstone project proposal. Create a citation for each and write a short one paragraph summary of the article and how it relates to your project. Bring these to class with you. (For example, if you're creating an archive of oral histories, you might read something about oral history, creating digital archives, or the ethics of working with specific populations). Post this on the discussion board on canvas and read Dr. Wieck's replies to everyone in the class. |
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Class 7: M 3/30 Professionalization Topics: Portfolio |
WATCH Wieck videos on Canvas on buying and setting up a domain and beginning to develop your Portfolio. Wieck will have an open room on Zoom tonight where you can drop in for help from 7-9PM ________________________________ FURTHER RESOURCES
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Class 8: W 4/1 NO CLASS - PEER REVIEW DAY |
Capstone Proposal (v.2): Review your partner's draft and set up a digital meeting with your peer review partner and discuss. You should now have 1) Abstract, 2) Goals, 3) Stakeholder, 4) Historical Background and Context, and 5) Public History Best Practices Drafted. Remember it's acceptable to have an annotated bibliography for part 4 and an annotated bibliography for part 5 at this stage. |
Capstone Proposal (v.2) Submit the draft you peer reviewed with comments + your own draft with notes of what you plan to revise based on the peer review session. |
Class 9: M 4/6 Topics: Writing Op Eds Live class from 8:00-9:00PM |
Writing Op Eds READ Sucharov, chapters 2-6 (pages 9-79). READ Choose four op eds in the Washington Post's Made by History Op Ed column. These pieces, released daily, are edited by historians and most often written by historians, and they seek to contexualize current events within history. Read more about the goals of Made by History. REFLECT In the sample op eds you've read for today, consider what they are doing well and what they could improve in? Are they relatable? ________________________________FURTHER RESOURCES |
Capstone Proposal (v.3): Submit a revised version containing Dr. Wieck's and your peer reviewer's feedback. |
Class 10: W 4/8 NO CLASS: Schedule Zoom Call with Dr. Wieck |
Dr. Wieck will provide feedback on your Portfolio draft and on Capstone Proposal |
Portfolio -- Have your portfolio draft ready to show Dr. Wieck at your meeting. |
Class 11: M 4/13 No CLASS - EASTER |
Keep drafting your op ed and revising your other capstone proposal and professional materials. | |
Class 12: W 4/15 Professional Topics: Portfolio Peer Review |
Exchange drafts of your portfolio with your partner to peer review. |
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Class 13: M 4/20 Topics: Grant Writing Live class from 8:00-9:00PM |
Title READ TBA ________________________________FURTHER RESOURCES |
Capstone draft 4 - include all previous items + a timeline and budget + an annotated bibliography of additional resources needed. |
Class 14: W 4/22 No Class: Individual meetings with Dr. Wieck by zoom. |
We will review your capstone draft verson 4 and your Op Ed. |
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Class 15: M 4/27 Topics: Final Presentations by zoom |
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M 5/4 |
Component (click on labels for assignment overviews) | Points per assignment | Number of Assignments | Total |
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Capstone Project Proposal: This includes pieces including articulating your abstract, goals, stakeholder, historical background and context, Public History best practices, etc. Points will be awarded for drafts and the final product (REQUIRED) | 400 | 1 | 400 |
Portfolio and Professional Materials: This includes drafts and final versions of your resume or CV, LinkedIn Profile, and your portfolio. (REQUIRED) | 325 | 1 | 325 |
Op Ed Piece: This includes drafts and your final version of your op ed piece. (OPTIONAL, but recommended) | 150 | 1 | 150 |
Instagram Takeover (OPTIONAL, but recommended) | 80 | 1 | 80 |
Reflections You will create several short blog posts (350-600 words) or twitter threads (thread of 10 tweets with #phstmu hashtag) that reflect on certain readings or class experiences. (optional, unless missing class zoom sessions) | 15 | 3 | 45 |
TOTAL | Varies based on completed assignments |
Grade | Points |
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A | 925 |
A- | 875 |
B+ | 850 |
B | 800 |
B- | 775 |
C+ | 750 |
C | 725 |
C- | 700 |
D | 600 |
F | less than 600 |