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Module II: Subject Matter Training
This section presents an
overview of the topics and information presented in
Module II: Subject Matter Training. The subject
matter training course is to be taken by individuals
through two online, interactive, distance learning
programs developed by the National Park Service.
Goals
This module is designed
to provide archeologists with information on the basic
methods and techniques of interpretation and to provide
interpreters with the basic methods and techniques of
archeological research.
Content
The two online training
programs are:
Each of these courses of
study require approximately 20 hours of time to
complete, depending on each participant’s prior level of
training and current knowledge of the respective subject
matter.
Lessons to Learn
Both archeology and
public interpretation have long histories in the
National Park Service, yet each discipline has largely
developed independently of the other. This module will
describe how both disciplines help fulfill the Park
Service mission, how to identify universal concepts and
interpretive themes, develop compelling stories, and how
interpretation encourages stewardship of cultural
resources.
The
Role of Archeology
The
National Park Service is steward of a diverse cultural
legacy. From cliff dwellings in the Southwest to Civil
War battlefields in the East, this legacy represents a
continuum of American heritage—its people, places,
objects, and traditions. Archeologists throughout the
National Park system conduct research on a range of
sites that continually produce new information about our
national past. An essential part of the archeological
effort is ensuring that visitors, thieves, erosion, and
other forces do not disturb or destroy archeological
resources.
The
Role of Interpretation
The
public experiences the vast resources of our National
Parks through the work of interpreters. Whether through
guided tours, costumed interpreters, wayside signs,
brochures and maps, or some other means, the art and
science of interpretation brings information about the
past into the present to provide visitors with
opportunities to make emotional and intellectual
connections with park resources. Interpreters accomplish
this task by identifying universal concepts and
developing interpretive themes on our nation’s history
that are presented to the public through a variety of
media. |
