Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Charleston field school?

The Charleston field school is a course based around a series of day-long site visits to Charleston, South Carolina to study various aspects of historic preservation.  The field school allows participants to see current issues in historic preservation in action and meet with professionals who are actively engaged in historic preservation.  Back to questions

 Who can participate?

The field school is open to any USC graduate student who has completed the Introduction to Historic Preservation course, HIST 792, at USC.  Back to questions

Why Charleston?

Charleston offers an ideal locale for a field school in historic preservation because the city has a rich and elegant architectural heritage dating to the eighteenth century.  In addition, the modern preservation movement began in Charleston, and the city has continued to be a pioneer in innovative preservation strategies.  Today the built environment of the city and its nearby plantation landscapes provide a useful "laboratory" for exploration of subjects as varied as preservation of African-American material culture, linkages between historic preservation and environmental concerns, and preservation without gentrification.  Plus, who doesn't want to spend time in one of America's most historically charming cities?  Back to questions.

Are there any expenses associated with the field school?

Expenses associated with the field school include entrance fees to historic sites, the cost of gasoline to travel to Charleston, and the cost of books for the course.  Admission fees total approximately $50 per person for the course.  To limit the cost of travel, students carpool to Charleston.  Back to questions.

How often does the class meet?

The class meets approximately every other week on Thursday evening at USC to prepare for the visit to Charleston and then on the next day, Friday, to go on the field visits to Charleston. Trips to Charleston generally last from 7am to 7pm.   Back to questions.

Why should I take the field school?

You should take the Charleston field school because it allows you to meet and make connections with Public History professionals from Charleston who are on the cutting edge of practices in historic preservation.  The field school also provides participants with the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at popular historic sites in the Charleston area.  Plus, it's fun.

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