Internships
Beth Messina BLS/ American Studies major - with a 2nd major in Education
In the spring of 2008, Beth Messina (BLS/ American Studies major - with a 2nd major in Education) put her American Studies skills, knowledge, and training to good use while completing an internship and research practicum at The House of the Seven Gables in Salem, MA. Working in conjunction with IDS professor Elizabeth Duclos-Orsello and Gables Director of Education and Community Service, Karen Pelletier, Beth revised and helped pilot a new education program at the Gables. The existing program was intended to teach math concepts to elementary school visitors by studying the architecture of "The Gables", officially known as the Turner Mansion. Beth was charged with evaluating the usefulness of the existing program and proposing ways to transform it into a multidisciplinary program which would combine architecture, history, economics and math. Taking up this charge, Beth met with stakeholders to discuss the program, conducted archival research in the history and economy of 17th c. Salem, created new resources to expand the program's disciplinary reach, piloted the program, conducted a survey of area teachers and prepared a final report for the Gables staff. Beth also presented her work at the 2008 Salem State College undergraduate Research Symposium in May, 20008. Beth's work is now part of a special family program offered on site at this world-renown landmark.
In her final report Beth had the following to say about the connection between her BLS/American Studies training and her professional experience at The House of the Seven Gables:
"Although I was able to connect my experience at The House of the Seven Gables to both majors, I was truly able to put my American Studies major into action. With the knowledge of both American Identities (IDS 232) and courses taken on community in the 20th century and the American West (IDS 333), I was able to interpret and connect many different source types. With the knowledge of researching secondary resources as well as scholarly works, I was able to broaden my research and make connections to the fascinating primary resource at my finger tips. Since the program was primarily based on the architecture of the Gables, I was able to draw upon my previous knowledge of the post-medieval English style houses that appeared to become some of the early "American" homes. Because of what I have learned from my interdisciplinary studies courses, I feel as though I was well prepared for my work at the Gables [and] I felt confident to share my knowledge and use it to enrich the [existing] program."