Transcript Prairie View A&M University

HISTORY PROGRAM
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.
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.

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.

Communication – History majors are well prepared in the art of
communication. The field of communication has exploded in the twentyfirst 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.

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.
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
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.
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
Mr. Ralph Morales
Dr. Ronald Goodwin
Ms. Kisha Turner
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.
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.
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.
HIST 1313
United States to 1876
HIST 4313
Foreign Relations
HIST 1323
United States Since 1876
HIST 4323
Diplomatic History of the United States
HIST 1333
Texas History
HIST 4903
Research
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
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
Late Nineteenth Century America
HIST 4443 P10
The Atlantic World
HIST 3323
Contemporary United States
HIST 4443 P11
Great Historical Narratives
HIST 3913
American Historiography
HIST 4443 P12
History through Biography
HIST 4213
African American History to 1865
HIST 4443 P13
The South African Experience
HIST 4223
African American History 1865 to present
HIST 4443 P14
History of Hip Hop Culture in America
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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.
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: [email protected]
Phone: 936-261-3207