Historical Methods, Enhanced Understanding, Better Public Policy

Applied History seeks to improve U.S. domestic public policy through the application of historical methods and enhanced contextual understanding of the challenges impacting the state, the region, and the nation. It is built on the premise that every contentious public policy issue that we face today has a history.  Interrogating that history offers the possibility of improved and better-informed policy decisions.  This program is at the forefront of reimagined 21^st century humanistic inquiry.

Program Leaders

Relevant Courses

HIS 163G – Issues in Applied History
HIS 363 – Applied History and Policy
HIS441 – Advanced Topics in American History (Applied History)
HIS495 – Seminar in History (Applied History)

Research Projects and Output

• Preparing for the Next Pandemic: U.S. and Rhode Island Pandemic Preparedness by Dennis Haggerty
• Leveling the Educational Playing Field: Parochial Schools and School Choice in Rhode Island by Madison Palmieri
• A Call to Action: Addressing the Root Causes of American School Shootings by Bridget Clossick
• Location and Inequitable Education by Anna Snyder  
• New Technology, Old Problem: Developing OER Policies to Provide Low-Cost Materials for Rhode Island’s Public Universities by Ryan Nadeau

Features