The master's program in Public Humanities prepares students for careers in museums, community cultural organizations, and other organizations that connect the public with history, art, ideas and culture. Students in the program develop subject matter expertise in history, literature, archaeology, anthropology, performance, media, public policy, or art history; a thorough understanding of the history, theory and methods of the public humanities; and the practical skills needed to work with museum artifacts, create exhibits or websites, conduct oral histories, undertake historic preservation projects, and develop and manage cultural programs. By combining the ideas and traditions of diverse communities with the methods and skills of humanities scholars, students in the M.A. program will help to broaden the ways that Americans understand their cultural heritage.

Additional resources: Students in the American civilization department are encouraged to take courses throughout the University. Many Public Humanities students also find Rhode Island School of Design courses in museum education, public art, and art history useful. The John Nicholas Brown Center, home of Brown’s Public Humanities initiative, sponsors many workshops, lecturers and visitors. Students undertake practicums at museums and other cultural institutions.

A new fellowship is available for students in the program who are interested in working in museums and other cultural institutions on issues related to the history and legacy of slavery. Fellowship recipients will be selected based on relevant experience in museums and cultural institutions and academic coursework on related topics.

Completion requirements: Introduction to interdisciplinary methods in American studies; Introduction to public humanities; Methods of public humanities; two practicums; nine other courses.

ADMISSION INFORMATION

Admission requirements: Writing sample of ten to twenty pages in area of interest and personal statement required. Applicants who want to be considered for the Fellowship for the Study of the Public History of Slavery should submit a personal statement that outlines their experience and interest in this area of work. Three letters of recommendation are required.

GRE General: Recommended

GRE Subject: Not required

Financial aid: Some full-tuition fellowships are available; in recent years, most students received a fellowship of about 40 percent of tuition. Recipients of the Fellowship for the Study of the Public History of Slavery will receive a fellowship that covers tuition, stipend, and fees for the two years it takes to complete the M.A. in public humanities. Some public humanities jobs are available at the John Nicholas Brown Center and other local institutions, as are some paid summer practicums. Students receive support to attend conferences and workshops.

Application deadline: January 1