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Bachelor of Art in History

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Bachelor of Art In History Curriculum

Bachelor of Art in History Classes

History is much more than the study of the past. The discipline reveals the patterns of interaction and overlap between complex issues including but not limited to economics, politics, war, gender, race, foreign policy, memory, and popular culture. Through ample reading and writing, History students learn how to critically think beyond their immediate environment, learn research skills and the proper method of collecting data, develop historical arguments, and successfully communicate their conclusions. Traditionally, History students find employment in the fields of education, law, journalism, historic preservation, the ministry, as well as civilian employees in the military. Included with the 27 History Major Field hours, through Distance Learning (online), History majors are required to take 9 hours of History from the Starkville campus: HI3903 Historiography, HI4363 African-American History & Culture, and HI4273 Women in American History.     


Careers in History
Over the last two centuries, as the market place has emerged as the dominant institution in modern democratic societies, the University has adapted to these changes, becoming the place where most people receive their initial professional training to enter the workforce. As higher education has taken on this role, it is often forgotten that a university's mission was never intended to be that narrow. The idea of the university is grounded in the realization that a free society cannot flourish unless its citizens are willing and able to reflect thoughtfully on the values that shape their own lives and the life of their community. Therefore, if one wants to find the core values of the university, one must look to the Humanities and Social Sciences. The study of history will provide you with a perspective for thinking about yourself and your society. Simply put, no individual or community is ready to face the challenges of the future until they have critically examined the paths that brought them to the present. Based on the experience of our history majors, we know that a history degree prepares a person for a variety of exciting and successful careers, including education (both at the high school and college/university level), law, and ministry.

Values are important, but I still need to make a living?
Increase your marketability with a double major or major/minor option. Beyond preparing students for these careers, a history major or minor is eminently practical, because it offers a competitive advantage in the market place. As a history major or minor, you will do a lot of reading and writing. Therefore courses in history will help you learn how to sift through information, analyze it, organize it, develop themes, and communicate the results of your research effectively. These skills are often lacking among students who focus solely on narrower, more technical disciplines.

If you want to pursue a professional career, let me suggest a few options, among many, in which a history major or minor can fit into your curriculum. If you are considering a career in law, a double major or major/minor combining History and Political Science will make you an attractive candidate for law school. A double major or major/minor combination with Communications provides excellent preparation for a career in journalism. If you want to pursue a career in business, you have several options, including a double major in history and business, or a business major/history minor combination. If you were considering a Masters in business, you could major in history and minor in business, thus fulfilling most of the requisite business courses for entering a Masters program.

The key point to keep in mind is this: don't squander your elective hours !!! They make the university curriculum sufficiently flexible to develop an effective strategy for turning your undergraduate education into a significant competitive advantage in the market. By concentrating your electives in a single field, you can earn a minor in most fields without adding any hours to the required 128 hours to graduate. You can earn a double major with only a few extra classes beyond the required 128 hours. A resume with a double major or a major/minor combination tells your prospective employer that you are a well-rounded person who was thoughtful and motivated enough to maximize their educational experience.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:                               

DR. TOBY BATES AT 601-484-0117
Email:tbates@meridian.msstate.edu

REGENA CLARK AT  601-484-0153
Email: rclark@meridian.msstate.edu OR 800-824-5288 EXT. 4-0153


1000 HIGHWAY 19 NORTH, MERIDIAN MS  39307

Last Updated: 9/16/11