Building the Study of History into Professional Programs

FAIN: AKA-279432-21

SUNY Research Foundation, Albany (Albany, NY 12222-0001)
Sheila Curran Bernard (Project Director: September 2020 to August 2021)
Ryan Michael Irwin (Project Director: August 2021 to March 2024)

A one-year planning project integrating the study of history into undergraduate professional programs in in homeland security, informatics, and public health.

The University at Albany, SUNY, seeks planning support to expand the role of history in its undergraduate curriculum. By integrating historical methodology and scholarship into the university’s professional programs in homeland security, informatics, and public health, the proposed project will grow the history major and foster historically informed, technology-enhanced learning across the university. Support allows us to develop a new general education course that brings historical context to the study of contemporary issues; implement “Common Problems Pedagogy” course pairings that bring students in history and non-humanities courses together with community groups to address issues of pressing concern; add history courses to electives counted toward majors in professional programs and encourage dual majors; expand interdisciplinary undergraduate research symposia; and share resources, training, and technology across disciplines to enhance active, participatory learning.

Associated Products

Not Even Past (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Not Even Past
Author: Michitake Aso
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic, and the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has caused it, have raised several important questions. How have people around the world experienced this pandemic? What have been the most effective ways to respond and why? How have these responses taken into account inequalities among individuals and societies? What role do human interactions with animals play in creating pandemics? Can we stop the next pandemic from happening?
Year: 2021
Secondary URL: http://https://www.albany.edu/news-center/news/2021-5-questions-faculty-michitake-aso
Audience: Undergraduate

Not Even Past (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Not Even Past
Author: Ryan Irwin
Abstract: When does history begin? This course explores the question by looking at the War on Terror — a topic whose beginning is far easier to date than its ending. After considering the geopolitics of the late twentieth century, we'll study the tumultuous presidencies of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump, and emerge with interdisciplinary understanding the recent past. Along the way, students will gain a foundational understanding of what it means to frame and explore a contemporary issue through a historical lens. We’ll talk about the importance of evidence-based argumentation and the dangers that arise when historical knowledge is abused for political reasons. By the end of the semester, students will possess a better understanding of the real-world role that historians play outside the classroom.
Year: 2022
Secondary URL: http://https://www.albany.edu/news-center/news/2022-5-questions-faculty-ryan-irwin
Audience: Undergraduate

Trifold pamphlets (Equipment)
Name: Trifold pamphlets
Description: With NEH support, we created and printed several thousand trifold pamphlets about the initiative and the enduring relevance of history to CEHC and SPH.
Location: University at Albany-SUNY
Year: 2022

---