Prairie View A&M University An Invitation to Join Us HISTORY PROGRAM

Greetings from the History Program Coordinator Greetings! My name is Dr. Charles D. Grear. I am the Coordinator of the History Program in the Division of Social Work, Behavioral, and Political Sciences. I would like to take a few minutes to share with you some information about the History Program at Prairie View A&M University and to discuss possible careers in the field of history. Let us first explore what one can do with a degree in history.

What Can I do with a history degree? Student often ask me, “What can I do with a degree in history?” Most students are aware that they can use their degree to teach, but few are aware of the other possible career choices associated with a degree in history. In brief, a student can use their Bachelor’s degree in history in the following ways: Teaching – Teachers are some of the most important people in our society. Teachers help shape young minds in the most crucial years of adolescence development. History is a terrific major for those who are seeking employment as a secondary teacher. Law School – The number of students applying to law school have increased during the last couple of decades. History is an excellent major for undergraduates who plan to pursue a law degree. Knowledge of history is assumed in law schools. Students with a history degree not only gain valuable knowledge of the past, but they also learn how to research and write—valuable skills for successfully completing a law degree.

What Can I do with a history degree? (More) Public History and Historical Preservation – These are some of the fastest growing fields in the nation, and many history majors find employment in these areas. Museums, historical societies, national parks, official historic sites, and tourism bureaus all need employees with knowledge of history. Scholarly presses hire employees with history degrees as sale representatives, editors, copy editors, and researchers. Libraries, archives, state and local historical societies, and government offices all hire people with history degrees. In recent years, there has been an effort to save historical landmarks, leading to a growth of historical preservation societies and organizations that are looking for qualified employees to protect the nation’s cultural and physical heritage. Christian Ministry – Most students believe that if you want to go into the ministry, you need to major in religious studies. These students are partly correct because students will have to attend divinity school, but some divinity schools actually prefer undergraduate study in some other discipline to develop breadth of mind needed for a successful ministry. History works well for this purpose.

What Can I do with a history degree? (and More) Communication – History majors are well prepared in the art of communication. The field of communication has exploded in the twenty- first century. With the introduction of internet, hundreds of cable channels, and a variety of other new technologies, employment opportunities will continue to grow for those who not only know how to say something, but who also have something to say. Movies, television programs, news programs, newspapers, and magazines all require people with solid communication and research skills. A degree in history are especially suited for these areas. Government - Federal, state, and local governments are the largest employers in the United States. Government agencies are looking for graduates skilled in critical thinking, research, communications, and with an understanding of how the system works. History majors have an advantage over other applicants in that these skills are essential to earning a history degree.

What Can I do with a history degree? (and Still More) Business and Industry – A myth often instilled into students is that a business degree is necessary for a job in business and industry. If you accounting, finance, and marketing, then a business degree is probably the path that you should follow. However, keep in mind that most corporations hire people who are independent thinkers who know how to find information and apply it to the tasks associated with the position held by their employees. Many companies want people who have knowledge of other countries and other cultures. A history degree prepares students to fit these job requirements. Corporations will train their employees to handle their corporate jobs—they do the same for business majors—so it is not absolutely necessary to earn a business degree if you want to enter the corporate world. History is an excellent discipline for those students who are interested in business. Limitless Opportunities - Careers for history majors are only limited by students’ own imagination. You can visit with any history professor who has taught for a number of years and they will share with you that they know history majors who became artists, small business owners, military officers, insurance agents, bankers, politicians, restaurateurs, lobbyists, archivists, doctors, musicians, city planners, architects, writers, newspaper editors, physical therapists, professional athletes, high school coaches, social workers, travel agents, corporate historians, and the list goes on.

what does this mean to you? In essence, the answer is simple. “You can became a leader of your society who is well educated, interesting, informed, reasonable, and employed!” Bibliography Robert F. Pace, “I would like to major in history, but . . . What Can I Do When I Graduate” www.mcm.edu/academic/depts/history/career.htm

What can the History program at Prairie View A&M University do for you? Now that you know some of the occupations that you can pursue with a history degree, let us explore the History Program at Prairie View A&M. I would like to take a few moments and introduce you to the history faculty at Prairie View A&M University, briefly go over the degree plans in our program, and share information about history honor societies and organizations that are available to our students.

Meet the History faculty For more information on each faculty member click on their name and you will be taken to their Prairie View A&M University faculty webpage. Dr. James T. Jones Dr. Charles D. Grear Dr. Ronald Goodwin Mr. Ralph Morales Ms. Kisha Turner

The History Program Goals The discipline of history is concerned with change and continuity of the human experience over time, both within societies and across cultures. The study of history provides insight into the experiences of diverse peoples around the world as well as encompassing a greater understanding of the student’s own heritage. The knowledge gained through a systematic examination of the past allows students to better understand contemporary affairs. The History Program at Prairie View A&M University prepares students for careers in teaching, business, government, and law. The course work is designed to promote critical thinking and written communication-skills essential for successful employment in the public or private sphere, as well as admission to graduate or professional schools.

Two paths to a history degree Bachelor of Arts (B. A.) Degree in History: The History Program offers course work leading to the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. Students majoring in history must complete 36 semester credit hours of course work in history, in addition to completing the University’s core component and the requirements established by the College of Arts and Sciences. History majors must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all courses pertaining to their major and in those required in the support area, unrestricted electives and minor.

Two Paths to a history degree Bachelor of Arts (B. A.) Degree in History with Teacher Certification Students seeking a degree in history with teacher certification track may substitute the necessary 18 hours of Curriculum and Instruction (CUIN) courses for the minor requirements in the history degree plan. Students must be admitted in the teacher certification program in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education.

Courses Currently offered in the History Program HIST 1313 United States to 1876 HIST 1323 United States Since 1876 HIST 1333 Texas History HIST 1343 Intro to Historical Methods HIST 1813 World Civilization to 1500 HIST 1823 World Civilization since 1500 HIST 2203 Military History HIST 2313 The US 1492 to 1837 HIST 2323 The US 1837 to 1898 HIST 2413 Pre-Colonial African History HIST 2423 Post-Colonial African History HIST 2433 Colonial Latin America and Carr HIST 2613 African History HIST 3223 Women in History HIST 3233 Studies in American History HIST 3313 Late Nineteenth Century America HIST 3323 Contemporary United States HIST 3913 American Historiography HIST 4213 African American History to 1865 HIST 4223 African American History 1865 to present HIST 4313 Foreign Relations HIST 4323 Diplomatic History of the United States HIST 4903 Research Special Topics Courses HIST 4443 P01 Public History HIST 4443 P02 Civil Rights Movement HIST 4443 P03 Jeffersonian America HIST 4443 P04 American Chattel Slavery HIST 4443 P05 Western Expansion HIST 4443 P06 Black Power in America HIST 4443 P07 Collision of Cultures HIST 4443 P08 Urban Government HIST 4443 P09 Trailblazers and Torchbearers: Black Women in America HIST 4443 P10 The Atlantic World HIST 4443 P11 Great Historical Narratives HIST 4443 P12 History through Biography HIST 4443 P13 The South African Experience HIST 4443 P14 History of Hip Hop Culture in America

History Honor societies & organizations Membership in Phi Alpha Theta International Honor Society is open to undergraduate students who have completed 12 semester hours of history with GPA average of 3.10 or above in history courses and an overall GPA 3.00 in all other course work. Open to all majors and other interested persons, the W.E.B. Du Bois History and Culture Club provides non-classroom activities related to the study of history. Membership in the Walter Prescott Webb Historical Society is open to students who are interested in the study of Texas history. The History Program also sponsors the George R. Woolfolk Lecture Series, and contributes to the annual Prairie View A&M University Black History Month Celebration.

History Program Coordinator Prairie View A&M University In closing, the history faculty at Prairie View A&M University would like to invite you to join our program. If you have any questions about the History Program, please contact us. Thank you for your time, and we look forward to hearing from you soon. Contact Information Dr. Kenneth W. Howell History Program Coordinator Prairie View A&M University PO Box 519, MS 2203 Prairie View, Texas 77446 Email: kwhowell@pvamu.edu Phone: 936-261-3207