Emphasis of Department
 What
makes the department of history unique among history departments is the breadth of experience
possessed by the staff. Each professor is a generalist and a specialist at the same time, and
each, therefore, is very aware of the inter-connectedness of all human activity.
One uses his
knowledge of Hindi and Urdu to research one of the most rapidly growing political parties in
India; yet most of his teaching is in modern Europe and U.S. history. Another was born in
Pakistan, but teaches modern political parties and Japanese history in addition to her classes
in the Middle East. Another, who teaches most of the advanced American history classes, went
from working in frontier history to expertise in the Baltic States (he is currently associate
editor of the Journal of Baltic Studies and has taught several times in Europe).
Another is an
intellectual historian who plays first violin in the local orchestra; another combines
research in parochial school history with the history and philosophy of education. Our most
recently hired colleague was an undergraduate theatre major who is now an expert on the
Roosevelt family.
What holds all these diverse
interests together? All believe that students must know how to write and speak, that all
students should be solidly grounded in the use of primary materials. Consequently, at Monmouth
College history students write and write and write. They learn how to write. They learn how to
use the library and the Federal Depository (Monmouth's is the oldest in Illinois). This
experience with primary resources has proven extremely valuable to students who go on to
teach, enter graduate school, or go into journalism or law.
The history faculty also uses video more
extensively today than do most history departments -- not as an entertainment or substitution
for teaching, but out of a realization that students are media-oriented. Hence, students have
to learn how to watch television and movies critically, to comment upon them, and to discuss
them.
Equipment/Facilities
The Mary Bartlett Crow Room and the Capron Room are fully equipped for audio-visual
presentations. The Federal Depository, located in the Hewes Library, is a valuable addition to
the department and Monmouth College.
Off-Campus Programs
History students participate in the Associated Colleges of the Midwest programs (Arts of
London and Florence, Washington House, India Studies, Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies,
Studies in Latin American Culture and Society, Czech Republic, and Urban Studies). Individual
students have written for the local newspaper, the college newspaper and worked for local
radio stations.
Career Opportunities
History, either as a major or taken in connection with a major in another field, helps
prepare students for careers in government, public administration, law, journalism,
communications, library science, teaching, religious studies, business and many other fields.
Monmouth history majors have successfully
pursued a variety of careers. A graduate in the 1960's pioneered women's history. After a
successful teaching career at St. Olaf College, she has been called to a position in which she
will help set up an undergraduate program for a new college that will be part of the
California university system. Another is a nationally recognized expert on Peace Studies. A
large number of majors are in high school teaching and administration. Several have had
successful careers in business. Others have gone into professions - law, library science,
journalism, and museum work. One of our majors entered journalism and became an editor of
Time magazine before becoming assistant secretary of state for public affairs.
Graduate School Opportunities
History majors who have gone to graduate or law school have done well. We feel that this
is evidence of the quality of the undergraduate preparation we have provided them at Monmouth.
For example, a student who completed a double major in history and government pursued graduate
study in public administration to prepare them for a career in government.
History Major
A major in history provides both breadth and depth in our
understanding of the past and present. Thirty or more credit
hours are required, including: Two courses in United States
history; Two courses in Western history, two courses in
Non-western history (marked *); HIST300, the “capstone”
course of the department, in the junior (occasionally
senior) year; and optional courses. All except the latter
courses must bear three credit hours.
Majors who wish to graduate with departmental honors will
either write a research paper in HIST420 or have a GPA in
history of 3.50. History majors are encouraged to
participate in an off-campus program, ideally in their
junior year.
History Minor
A minor is composed of
fifteen credit hours, including one course in United States,
Western and Non-western history.
Teacher Certification
History majors preparing to teach at the secondary level
are required to complete the major cited above and to include HIST 111 and 112,
at least one junior-level course in United States history, and three courses in
world history. The State of Illinois requires a minimum of 32 hours of history.
Students who plan to teach are advised to complete a minor in another department
so they will be prepared to teach in more than one area. The additional
requirements for certification are described in the Education Department section
of the catalog and must include EDUC 341. |
