History and Politics Internship - Archive and Outreach
This internship, hosted together by the History and Politics majors, will offer one student the opportunity to research the local history of Converse University, in connection with the larger history/politics of the United States. With targeted work in WWI, WWII, Civil Rights, political history, and women’s history, this internship offers the chance to investigate both visual sources (yearbooks, scrapbooks) and textual history (newspapers, student publications).
The student intern will work with faculty to determine the best way to share their findings (digital, physical, etc.), as well as see their work be included in future classes that educate generations of students to come. Some research questions may include:
§ Politics: Which political views are expressed at Converse, and how? Which external speakers are invited, and what topics do they share? Are various political parties represented in student organizations, and what is the size of their membership? What opinion pieces do students write, over the years? What political values, and causes, seem important on this campus, in past decades?
§ History: In what ways did various wars affect life at Converse? How did popular culture (music, fashion, athletics) shape the experiences of students throughout the decades? Which academic majors are popular, and how does this shift through the years? How does the expression of gender change over time? What can we learn about women in history, though an analysis of the experience right here, in Spartanburg?
The selected intern will play a foundational role exciting new initiatives. Together, we will select one project as a “lead” project, and complete the others if time allows. We are interested in supporting the career goals of the selected intern, and will use that information to determine which project to prioritize:
§ Alumni Newsletter: History and Politics
o The intern will have the opportunity to design and create our first ever newsletter, sharing faculty news, student successes (including recent internships, graduate/law school acceptances, and jobs), alumni achievements, and more!
§ Beyond the Buildings: A Historic Campus Walking Tour
o The intern will have the opportunity to discover “stories you won’t hear on the admissions tour,” as they research and build on the design of a walking tour of campus history. Tasks will include selecting stops, researching stories, and writing concise summaries. Format may include a digital brochure or Instagram journey @conversehistory.
§ Hidden Treasures of Converse University: A Digital Museum Series
o The intern will have the opportunity to curate a small pop-up exhibit using items from university archives or local collections. They will identify approximately ten objects or documents, research their stories, write interpretive labels, design a display (physical or digital). The exhibit might be installed in a library, hallway, or digitally.
The selected intern is encouraged to bring ideas to further strengthen the history/politics programs.
For this internship, Dr. Angela Elder will serve as academic advisor. Dr. Allison Vick will serve as internship supervisor.
Qualifications:
University student in good academic standing
Sophomore/Junior/Senior in History, Politics, English, or related major
Ability to work 8-10 hours a week
Detail-oriented with strong writing and organizational skills Ability to multitask, adapt, and learn quickly
Ability to work independently, but also work as a contributing member of the departments
Responsibilities: ·
Explore, analyze, and compile original historical research, in a multi-step project related to the history/politics of Converse University ·
Work with the faculty of history/politics to design the best way(s) to share this research, though digital and/or physical displays, class discussions, or other events ·
Continue valuable public outreach with the @conversehistory Instagram initiative
On-Campus Location: History/Political Science offices, with some work in the Converse University Library and Archives, and possibly at the Spartanburg Public Library