Chair Endowed by Mrs. Emma Lee Vaughn, in memory of her husband, I.N. Vaughan, Esq., Professor Mark Malvasi.
Professor Porter, Chair; Professors Fischbach, Jefferson, Malvasi, & Reinhardt; Emeritus Professor Scanlon; Assistant Professors Bergmann & Munson; Adjunct Professor- Kyle and Watkinson; Adjunct Ass't Professors Maris-Wolfe, Quenstedt, and Throckmorton.
The last four or five hundred years have marked the evolution of historical consciousness. In that time, history has not only become a form of thinking and knowing, it has become the essential condition of thought and knowledge. As the Dutch historian Johan Huizinga put it: “Historical thinking has entered our very blood.” This means that today we describe and understand every human experience and endeavor not through their material, spiritual or psychic characteristics but through their history.
In the midst of a society undergoing change, there is a need for responsible citizens to understand the process of change. History studies that process in the only societies where it can be fully observed: those of the past. In analyzing the transformations of societies of other times, students acquire the analytical tools for better comprehending their own social environment. In addition, the study of history provides a vocabulary of examples of human activity, which brings greater awareness to the study of other intellectual disciplines. Shakespeare’s plays, for example, take on a deeper resonance when seen against a background of social change in the Tudor and Stuart dynasties.
The history department aims at more than guiding students toward learning about the past. It also trains students to think critically, research effectively, and write lucidly. Students learn, through classroom experience and examinations, as well as through individual research projects, how to analyze both the form and content of source material; how to discern historical trends and patterns; how to postulate theses and support them with evidence; and, how to present conclusions in a compelling, well-organized fashion. Several speaking-intensive courses also train students to communicate effectively in public-settings. The History Department encourages majors to consider the benefits of study-abroad and/or an internship experience.
The particular point of view of this department is that history can best be learned where there is close collaboration between teacher and student. To that end, classes are kept small, even at the introductory level, and thereby considerable personal attention can be given to a student’s work by the professor.
MAJOR: For students who enrolled for the first time before September 2005, a major in history consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours in ten three-hour courses above History 111-112. The distribution of these courses is listed below.
For students who enrolled for the first time in or after September 2005, a major consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours in eleven courses above History 100-101. One of these courses must be History 401. The distribution of these courses is listed below.
1. six hours (2-courses) in American history from the following - HIST 211, 212, 301, 302, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 332, 333, 337, 338, 342;
2. six hours (2-courses) in European history - HIST 226, 230, 241, 242, 250, 303, 311, 312, 371, 372, 375, 376, 386, 387;
3. six hours (2-courses) of non-western course emphasis from the following fields: Asia - HIST 221, 290, 391, 392, 394, 396, 397; British Empire - HIST 347, 348; Slavery - HIST 332; Latin America - HIST 251; or, Middle East - HIST 281, 282, 361, 365, 367;
4. 12 hours (4 courses) elected from the entire list of history courses above the 100-level not previously taken for credit; and,
5. all majors who enter the College after 9/05 must complete HIST 401.
Courses taken abroad and 400-level courses can also satisfy these distribution requirements; please consult with the department chair. History 332 may be counted towards the major under the American or the non-western designation, but not both. HIST 100-101 and 111-112 are not part of the major. A minimum grade of C- is required in all courses used on the history major or the minor as is a minimum GPA of 2.0 for all courses in the major or minor.
MINOR: For students who enrolled for the first time before September 2005, a minor consists of six three-hour courses. Students may use either History 111 or History 112, but not both, on the minor.
For students who enrolled for the first time in or after September 2005, a minor consists of five three-hour courses above History 100-101.
A minor must include at least one course from each of the following areas as defined under the Major - American, European, and non-Western history.
Teacher Certification:
The program requirements of a student planning to minor in education for the purpose of certification (both elementary and secondary) vary slightly from those of other history majors. HIST 111-112 is required for secondary education minors and meets the AOK requirement. For education minors, the 11 history courses above HIST 100-101 (10 if you entered R-MC before 9/05) must include: 4 courses, 12- hours, in American history (six of which must be 211-212); 2 courses, 6-hours, in European history; 2 courses, 6-hours, in non-Western history; and HIST 319 (Geographical History). See list above for offerings under each designation. Students seeking certification at the secondary level must be certified social studies, which includes a major in history (see above) plus the following or their equivalents:
one course in economics - ECON 201 or 202; and,
one course in political science - PSCI 201 or 202.
NOTE: All students must complete HIST 100-101 or HIST 111-112 before taking other history courses. HIST 111-112 are offered primarily for students planning to meet the requirements of teacher certification; most students should complete their AOK requirement in HIST 100-101. Courses from the two sequences cannot be mixed.
History classroom, Randolph-Macon College, date unknown