Study abroad program shows ASU Online students ‘what it means to be a historian’
ASU Online students in the history master's degree program spent more than two weeks conducting research in archives across Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo courtesy of Jessica Barker
This summer, 14 students from the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies pursuing a master’s degree in history through ASU Online traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland, to spend a little more than two weeks conducting research in historical archives.
The program provides many digital learners with their first chance to directly interact with primary sources in the place they are studying.
James Dupey, associate clinical professor and a program lead, says it's important for students to interact with documents that are hundreds of years old, handwritten and from another country — especially for students whose entire education takes place online.
Participants selected their own topics, though met regularly with Dupey and the trip's other program lead, Katy Kole de Peralta, associate clinical professor of global history, to refine and talk through their projects.
Aly Zimmermann is one of three students who attended both this year and last year’s trip. She emphasized how important it was to have the program leads available to troubleshoot with and reassure students, but also encourage moving on if source material disagreed with their arguments.
“And on most study abroad projects, in most archives, you don’t have that,” she said. “You have to learn on your own.”
Ryan Huff agreed, emphasizing that students need to remain flexible when conducting research.
“You just don’t know what you’re going to encounter in the archives,” he said, “and it could change everything.”
Megan Gamarra, a participant in the program, had one such experience. She went into the trip planning to research witchcraft, but quickly uncovered the story of an individual who revolutionized sewing practices in the country and established schools for historically uneducated populations in Scotland.
“You have to remain unbiased,” she said. “You have to look at the data and extrapolate truth from that as much as you can.”
Gamarra also emphasized the collaborative nature of the experience. The group knew what each participant was researching, she said, and would often share documentation that could support each other's work. This, she added, also wouldn’t be possible by conducting research alone.
Students stayed in dorms at the University of Edinburgh, and the experience included weekend trips to Inchcolm Island and the Highlands, as well as a day trip to Glasgow.
These trips provided important context for some of the projects and fostered community building.
“It’s really great to talk to people about historical figures and they know who you’re talking about,” Gamarra said.
The students have also stayed connected after returning home. Participants have a group chat and message every day, and those who are coming to campus for commencement this fall already have plans to reconnect.
They'll also continue their work by turning what they've learned into poster presentations, capstone projects or publications.
Next year, the program is planning on expanding to include immersion history MA students to participate alongside nontraditional students.
“This program facilitates students going somewhere, interacting with other people and learning that what matters is becoming a historian,” Dupey said. “It changes the process in a way that is really useful and would be good for immersion students too.”
-
A view of Edinburgh from Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano that serves as the main peak for the group of hills in the city.
Photo courtesy of Reagan Volkman
-
Students took a day trip to the Scottish Highlands, which included a tour of the area.
Photo courtesy of Reagan Volkman
-
A document from the National Archive of Scotland.
Photo courtesy of Reagan Volkman
-
Ruins of a Scottish castle the group visited during an excursion.
Photo courtesy of Jessica Barker
More Arts, humanities and education
Sold-out ‘Macario’ a triumphant conclusion to The Poitier Film School Latino Screening Series
It was a rare and inspiring sight at Milagro Cinemas in Norwalk, California, last week: Two theaters packed with people to see an old black-and-white film on a Wednesday night.Not just any black-and-…
Iraq veteran recounts his journey with loss, identity and contradictions
Arizona State University alumnus Dylan Park-Pettiford has spent most of his life caught between worlds.Born in the Bay Area to a Black father and a Korean mother, he learned early how belonging could…
ASU student honors her grandfather’s legacy through storytelling
This fall at Arizona State University's West Valley campus, a new communication course is teaching students that storytelling can do more than inform — it can preserve history, strengthen family…