History Department

History is a wide-ranging discipline, its limits being only the interests and capabilities of the individual. Whether dealing with social, political, economic, intellectual, scientific, psychological, or diplomatic history, the concern is to find how people lived and how they dealt with their problems. It is more an interpretive study than a study of facts; as such, it is relevant to our own day as it provides us with a means of measuring our own performance against that of our ancestors. 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.

DEPARTMENTAL GOALS AND DESCRIPTION 

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 program at Randolph-Macon is comprehensive enough to prepare student for graduate study and general enough to provide a solid liberal arts background for students seeking the bachelor's as their highest degree. Flexibility is provided in the History Department by independent study options, J-term courses, and the option to complete a senior project (undergraduate thesis). In addition, History students are encouraged, but not required, to enroll for an internship or for study abroad.

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. 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Professor Thomas W. Porter, Chair
History Department
Randolph-Macon College
P.O. Box 5005
Ashland, Virginia 23005-5505
(804)-752-7243

SAMPLE OF COURSE OFFERINGS

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Senior Project & Independent Study:
The optional senior project enables students to gain experience in historical research and writing techniques as they prepare a major research paper. Independent study projects have spanned a wide range of topics; some have concentrated on historiography, while others have focused on areas of research and reading.

J-Term Courses:
One month programs have given students unique perspectives on history and opportunities to study history while traveling abroad. For example, an interdisciplinary course offered jointly with the Sociology Department enabled students to study the African diaspora and Latin American social and environmental issues while visiting Rio de Janeiro and several other sites in Brazil. Other courses have traveled to Ghana, Japan, and China, allowing students to study the past while experiencing the cultures firsthand.

Internships:
Students interested in internships may work out special field-study programs with department faculty members. In the recent past, history majors have completed internships with the Valentine Museum,  the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and the Berkeley Estate while several others have assisted at the Richmond Holocaust Museum and on the Hanover County History Project. Click here for a list of selected internship opportunities.

CAREER AND POSTGRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES

A degree in history prepares graduates for a variety of career possibilities. A small number of students each year continue on to graduate study in history, while others use a degree in history as preparation for law school or the seminary. Some recent Randolph- Macon history majors have pursued careers in museum work, historic preservation, and library work. Additional fields open to history majors include public administration, investment banking, editing, employment with the federal government, and teaching.   See the "current students" page for more information on career opportunities.

History majors wishing to teach at the elementary or secondary level can meet their state certification requirements by enrolling in the appropriate education courses at Randolph-Macon.

SOME GRADUATES AND THEIR CURRENT POSITIONS

David Balch: Vice President for Strategic Planning and Marketing, United Way of Dade County, Miami, FL.

Kimberly Bowman: M.A. Student, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME

Timothy "Joey" Crawford: Social Studies Teacher, Amherst County, VA 

Rose Marie Downs: Attorney, Richmond, VA.

Ann W. Graves: Professor of Special Education, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.

Dennis J. Hoover: Attorney, Baltimore, MD.

Timothy W. Nelson: Logistics Engineer, Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va.

Henry Hunter Odom, Jr.: Co-owner/Sales, Suffolk Insurance Company, Suffolk, VA.

Henry Orr Robertson, Jr.:  History, Louisiana State University,  LA.

Nick Seetin: Graduate Student, Ancient History, University of Maryland.

Scott M. Stroh III:  Director of Historical Resources, State of Florida, Tallahassee, FL.

William Sudduth, III:  Head of the Department of Documents & Microforms, University of South Carolina.

Danielle Swords: Public Relations Manager, Carowinds Amusement Park, NC

Mark Carter Temple: Bureau Chief for the International Research & Exchanges Board, Bucharest, Romania.

For further information, contact:

Professor Thomas W. Porter, Chair
History Department
Randolph-Macon College
P.O. Box 5005
Ashland, Virginia 23005-5505
(804)-752-7243