Dawn McCormack

dawn.mccormack@mtsu.edu

Robert Hunt

History

Discipline specific equipment

Peck Hall 269

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N/A

In order to enhance the offerings of the graduate program in Public History, the History Department requests funds to purchase survey equipment including a total station, data collectors with GPS capabilities, an auto level, and associated accessories. Through the use of this equipment, at least 15 students a year will receive training through a planned course including the mapping of archaeological and historical sites using CAD and GIS programs (available in select labs on campus), the three dimensional reconstruction of landscapes and architecture, and site management strategies. Additional graduate and undergraduate students will acquire a familiarity with the survey equipment through demonstrations and practicums in courses related to archaeology like Archaeology and Public History, Archaeological Fieldwork for Public Historians, Field Course in Historical Archaeology, and Historical Archaeology. Smaller, more specialized clinics will also be offered in order to train students for fieldwork for specific research projects, which will include the use of the equipment at sites in the region as well as abroad (including Egypt). With a lifespan of 15 years, the Total Station and many of the other items will enhance the skill set of more than 600 students with a per/person cost of under $20. The department may need to replace some of the items at an earlier date, but these allotments should be manageable over time. Since many students are interested in learning surveying and mapping skills related to the discipline, this is a worthwhile investment.