HIST 490: Research Seminar

HIST490 undertakes intensive study in seminar format, and is intended for students in their final two or three semesters in the program. Students in History 490 typically write an independent research paper of substantial length.  Enrollment in HIST 490 is limited to no more than fifteen students per section.

The topic of HIST 490 varies according to the instructor, and do not necessarily repeat on a yearly or biennial basis.  As such, Students who plan to take HIST 490 as their capstone should watch the offerings carefully, and if they find a topic or instructor they feel particularly excited about, they should opt to take it that semester rather than waiting.  Recent sections of HIST 490 have covered the following topics:  The American Revolution, The US in the 1960s, The Age of Piracy, Latin American Indigenes, Sexuality in America, The Soviet City, and The Medieval Cult of the Saints.

The research- and writing-intensive nature of HIST 490 is of particular value for students who wish to go into careers where writing skills are central.  Papers produced in these seminars have the potential to serve as writing samples for applications to graduate programs in many fields, including the humanities, education, law, library science, museum studies, and so on.

HIST 490 Bulletin Entry

HIST 493: Internship

VCU was one of the first schools in the nation to offer formal internships in history. Since the program started in 1977, more than 360 students have received academic credit and job experience by working on projects of an historical nature with approved museums and agencies. Internships help students to develop a wide variety of professional skills, and serve as professional experience that can become a significant step in building a career in areas as diverse as public history, communications, education and business and entrepreneurship.

HIST 493 places students in a field internship, and students receive credit for work on historical projects with approved agencies. Internships are generally for students of senior standing, and student interns will register for Hist 493. Students may receive 2, 3, or 4 credit hours for work per semester, for a maximum total of 6 internship credits. The work of the internship varies according to the placement, and our Director of Internships takes particular care to place students in internships which match their interests and career goals. Interns have written research papers and mini-histories, developed interpretive programs, participated in archaeological projects, conducted oral history interviews, prepared exhibitions, catalogued manuscript collections, and discharged a variety of administrative duties.

Placements to date include:

• Agecroft Hall
• American Civil War Museum
• Black History Museum and Cultural Center
• Chesterfield County Historical Society
• Congregation Beth Ahabah Museum and Archives
• Henrico County Parks and Recreation (historic sites)
• Holocaust Museum
• Hollywood Cemetery
• Library of Virginia
• Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
• Magnolia Grange Museum House
• Maymont House and Foundation
• Meadow Farm Museum
• Petersburg National Battlefield Park
• Richmond National Battlefield Park
• Colonial National Historic Park (all three under the National Park Service)
• VCU Libraries Special Collections and Archives
• VCU Virtual Curation Lab
• Valentine (museum)
• Virginia Department of Historic Resources (various divisions)
• Virginia Museum of History and Culture
• Virginia State Law Library / State Supreme Court
• Virginia War Memorial
• Wilton House Museum

HIST 493 Bulletin Entry

HIST 493 Guidelines and Procedures