History Department

Why study history?
Mostly because it's fun and fascinating to fathom the feats, foibles and follies of our forebears. 
More seriously, because this social science prepares you to understand the present and to influence the future through a systematic study of the many cultures of the human past. Our history program helps to develop skills of analysis and problem-solving which can be used in both your professional and personal life. Our curriculum seeks a balance between breadth and depth to serve your interests in using your historical training as preparation for a variety of careers in law, business, government, or education.

Who are the teachers and advisors?

What do I have to do for a degree?

What kind of history can I learn?
Courses for SPRING 2013

What can I do besides taking classes? 

What can I do after I graduate?

Who are the teachers and advisors?

FACULTY

Full-Time Faculty

Part-Time Faculty

Emeritus Faculty

We fondly remember our colleague, the late Donald W. Farmer, Ph.D., Professor of History & Vice President for Academic Affairs. 
In his honor we have established the Donald W. Farmer Memorial Award in History for a graduating senior.

We also fondly remember our colleague, the late Howard B. Fedrick, M.A.

Mission Statement

We train students to understand the forces which have shaped our world, to address current problems based on historical thinking, and to communicate effectively.

Vision Statement

The History Department recognizes the liberal arts as a preparation for living. Both in a strong CORE curriculum and in the major program we offer a variety of courses, which both in content and methodology provide training in responsible citizenship and serious scholarship. The History Department seeks to continue its tradition of excellence in teaching, serving our growing number of students who are preparing for a variety of careers, including law, business, government, and education. 
For more on our curricular planning, see our Department Goals. 
For more on our assessment policies, see our Plan.  
For more on standards of academics, see our Academic Integrity Policy. 

What do I have to do for a degree?

DEGREE OFFERED

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Students must take a minimum of fourteen (14) courses totaling forty-two (42) credits

Majors must take the following 3 credit courses:

  1. CORE 131 Western Civilization to 1914
  2. CORE 133 World Civilizations since 1453
  3. CORE 181 American Civilization to 1914
  4. CORE 191 Global History since 1914
  5. HIST 261 Research & Methods
  6. HIST 415 Senior Seminar
  7. HIST 499 Internship (3 credits) OR a course taken in a study abroad program as approved of by the Department chairperson (if the study abroad experience is less than 3 credits, total history-related coursework still needs to add up to forth-two (42) credits).

For the remaining courses, a minimum of seven (7) courses worth at least twenty-one (21) credits, students must select at least two courses (six credits) each from the topic areas of American, European and World major courses.  Two of the courses must be a seminar (HIST 420-469).

For a current degree planner, click here.

SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATION IN CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION

Nationally Recognized by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE ), as reviewed by representatives of the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS)


Students must take a minimum of fourteen (14) courses totaling forty-two (42) credits

History Majors who wish to be certified to teach in secondary education must take the following 3 credit courses:

  1. CORE 131 Western Civilization to 1914
  2. CORE 133 World Civilizations since 1453
  3. CORE 153 The Principles of Economics: Macro Economics or equivalent
  4. CORE 181 American Civilization to 1914
  5. CORE 188 American Government 
  6. CORE 191 Global History since 1914
  7. HIST/GEOG 211 Introduction to Geography
  8. HIST 258 Pennsylvania Survey
  9. HIST 261 Research & Methods
  10. HIST 415 Senior Seminar

For the remaining courses, electives of a minimum of four (4) courses worth at least twelve (12) credits, must be selected from the following categories: one course (three credits) from American, two courses (6 credits) from European, and one course (three credits) from World.  One of the courses must be a seminar (HIST 420-469) and another an Area Studies course.  See also Education Department requirements for certification.

For a current degree planner, click here.

MINOR REQUIREMENTS
A minimum of six (6) courses worth eighteen (18) credits, including:

  1. CORE 130 American Civilization to 1914 (3 credits)
  2. CORE 131 Western Civilization to 1914 (3 credits)
  3. CORE 132 Global History since 1914 (3 credits)
  4. - 6. And nine (9) credits (usually 3 courses) of history major courses

What kind of history can I learn?

DEPARTMENTAL COURSE LIST

Courses for Spring 2012

Courses taught in previous semsesters

A=American; E=European; W=World; R=required of History majors; S=Required for Secondary Ed Certification

Core Curriculum Courses

 

History Major Courses

Brief Catalog Descriptions

COMPATIBLE SECOND MAJORS & MINORS

Historical understanding complements and improves your performance both in the workplace and the public life of a citizen. Its interdisciplinary nature also helps inform and deepen knowledge in many other academic subjects. We encourage students to sample courses, build a minor, or even graduate with a full major in other fields. Thus you can both round out your education and prepare yourself for any number of future careers.

What can I do besides taking classes?

SPECIAL FEATURES

Internships: in government, museums, and law offices; and a special opportunity to study agency and museum management with the local historical society.

Academic study abroad, including the trips in 2010 trip to Sofia-Istanbul , 2011 to Venice and Istanbul, or the 2012 to France, and internship experiences in London or abroad for King's College credit.

Opportunities to develop work on the internet, such as the Women's History, Early America, the U.S. since 1945, the Presidency, Parties and Politics, and Modern Britain.

A chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, a history honor society: Outstanding students are elected to this society each year by the chapter's membership. Phi Alpha Theta encourages the presentation of scholarly papers at regional meetings.

Student History Society of King's College: for service to the community, social activities and trips to both local historical sites like the Lackawanna Coal Mine and distant cultural destinations like Rome or Paris.

And events such as Know your Constitution!

What can I do after I graduate?

CAREERS

People often ask, "What could I do with a degree in history?"

The simple answer is: "Almost anything you want."

A major advantage of an undergraduate history major is its relevance to a diversity of career paths. History graduates practice law at every corporate, criminal and international level; they administer and teach at the secondary and college levels in every part of the country; they serve in local, state, and federal government as elected, appointed, and civil service officers; they work in journalism, advertising and public relations; they pursue varied business careers as owners and managers. Our history curriculum helps prepare students for advanced education, professional training and many possible jobs and careers.  

So why not study history? You can both enjoy learning about the people of the past and have nearly unlimited opportunities for employment.  Go to History Jobs and Careers <departments.kings.edu/history/histjobs.html> for more information.  Also check with the Career Planning and Placement Office <www.kings.edu/carp/>.  

Sample Careers with a Bachelor's Degree

Among our graduates are an opera singer, the comptroller of a major American bank, and the head basketball coach of a major Division I university. Other more common careers are:

  1. Professional historian in positions such as editors, archivists or museum and historical agency managers: For links to many professional websites, click here for more Information!
  2. Teaching, especially when coupled with the Secondary Education program (e.g., see the National Council for History Education, American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association)
  3. Social/Welfare work
  4. Religious life (e.g. Holy Cross Associateshttp://holycrossassociates.nd.edu/
  5. Department of Defense and U.S. Armed Forces, the Federal Government
  6. Intelligence agencies (e.g., NSA, CIA, Defense Intelligence Agency)
  7. Foreign Service
  8. Law enforcement (e.g., FBI)
  9. Library and information management (e.g., see the American Library Association)
  10. Journalism/writing/publishing (e.g. Association of American Publishers or Magazine Publishers of America, Society of Professional Journalists)
  11. Public relations
  12. Advertising
  13. Business management, sales, marketing
  14. Real Estate
  15. Travel Agent/Tour Guide (e.g. American Society of Travel Agents, National Tour Association)

Opportunities for Post-graduate Studies

  1. Law School: J.D. (see American Bar Association)
  2. Business School: M.B.A.
  3. Graduate School: M.S., M.A. and/or Ph.D. in a specialized history field (see other history departments) or other subject such as library studies, social work, political science or theology

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Last Revision: 2013 February 13