Religious Studies Interdisciplinary Program
Historic Preservation Program
The university offers a historic preservation minor through the College of Liberal Arts. Historic preservation is a rapidly expanding field devoted to the understanding, recording, preservation, restoration or adaptive reuse of significant objects, building, sites, neighborhoods, districts or engineering works that reflect a portion of the nation's historic and prehistoric cultural heritage. Particular emphasis is placed on the heritage of Nevada and the American West.
Students examine the principles of historic preservation, the structure and purposes of private, municipal, state and federal programs and agencies, as well as historic preservation laws. In the program, students participate in field research projects and internships with local, state and federal historic preservation agencies. Related courses from other departments and colleges are utilized in the program, depending upon the student's major program and specific interests in a field of historic preservation.
Students enrolled in the Land Use Planning Policy master's degree program may specialize in historic preservation. A program of study, usually 12-15 credit hours of related coursework, is required.
The program is directed by Dr. Donald Hardesty. For more information or to declare a minor, contact Dr. Hardesty at hardesty@unr.edu.
Required courses for undergraduate Historic Preservation minor:
A museum studies course in one of five departments:
Anth 309 (crosslisted as Geol 308/Hist 309/Thtr 309 and Art/Biol 308) - Museum Studies...3 credits: History and philosophy of museums; their role in contemporary society; museum organization, management, program planning, funding, publications, guest speakers, supervised field trips to museums.
Additional 9-12 credits coursework of:
HP 400/600 - Principles of Historic Preservation...3 credits: Development of preservation movement and philosophy in the United States and Europe; legal aspects and subfields of historic preservation. Case studies of local, state and federal projects and problems.
HP 401/601 - Laws and Policies...3 credits: Intensive review of agencies, laws, guidelines, policies, ordinances and building codes relating to historic preservation and its subfields. Case studies in preservation law. Prerequisite: HP 400/600.
HP 403/603 - World Architecture...3 credits: Historical survey of world architectural styles; styles seen as reflections of major sociopolitical patterns of technology, ideology and historical connections. (General capstone course.) Prerequisite: ENG 102, CH 201, and junior or senior standing.
HP 405/605 - Historic Preservation Survey and Planning...3 credits: Survey of archival and field research practices; formulation of historic preservation plans; procedures for integration with local and regional master plans. Case studies. Prerequisite: HP 400/600; HP 401/601.
HP 470/670 - Research Practicum...3 credits: Field and archival recording and research; methods of recording historic structures and objects; development of historic overlays; nomination procedures of the National Register of Historic Places. Prerequisite: HP 400/600; HP 401/601.
HP 480 - Internship...3 credits; S/U only: Practical working experience in local, state or federal historic preservation agencies. Maximum of 6 credits. Prerequisite: HP 400/600; HP 401/601.
HP 499/699 - Special Problems...1-6 credits: Research or reading in special topics under supervision. Maximum of 6 credits. Prerequisite: HP 400/600; HP 401/601.
PSC 341 - Elements of Public Administration...3 credits: Introduction to administrative theory, politics and responsibilities; bureaucracy; and public financial and personnel administration.