History - Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

History from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a Campus Bachelor History degree that prepares you for a Liberal Arts career. History helps us to understand past and present societies, to make intelligent decisions as citizens and voters, and to respond appropriately to future situations and challenges. What is history? History is our collective memory and record of the past. It is the source of the social sciences and the coordinator and organizer of the humanities. History involves creativity and research, analytical reading and writing, thoughtful reflection and communication. This discipline provides an opportunity for variety and, at the same time, specialization. In history there is always room for a new view, a revision of existing evidence, a challenge to discover new sources. Where is history used? History is used in every aspect of life. It is about societies, institutions, and cultures. History is useful and applicable everywhere and in everything we do, particularly in civic life. What kinds of career choices can I expect? The Department of History offers two degrees , the B.A. and the B.S.Ed. Students who elect the B.A. often use that degree as the springboard to graduate school, government service, and business careers. One of the biggest fields for career opportunities is the variety of positions available in local, state, and federal government. History majors are extremely well prepared to take civil service exams successfully and to provide the skills needed and wanted in most government jobs. Students interested in working for museums, historical societies, or archives often need a history major as a first step toward their careers. The department?s Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Public History Concentration introduces students to the specialized methods used by history professionals. History internships allow these students to explore historical careers and to gain valuable work experience while earning credit towards their degrees. This combination of training and on-the-job experience provides a solid foundation for students who wish to pursue the advanced degree often required for employment in these fields. A history major can also prepare one for a writing profession. Media outlets, non-profit organizations, and business frequently hire history majors because they can research, think, organize, and communicate. Many other fields also look for these skills. Many of our students major in history to prepare to teach in middle and high schools. At Shippensburg University we offer a B.S.Ed. degree which prepares students for Comprehensive Social Studies certification in grades 7 through 12. Students in a wide variety of majors can benefit from a history minor. Such majors could include, but are not limited to, English, business, journalism and political science. What is the curriculum? The department?s curriculum emphasizes a global and comparative approach to the past. Therefore, history majors are expected to do work in three major areas: United States history, European history , and non-Western history. Courses are also offered in public history . Within each of these fields, there is a broad variety of courses organized by topic or by time period. Students have opportunities to sample a range of topics. The B.A. program also requires one course in the theory and practice of history and a capstone seminar in comparative history during the senior year. Why take history at Shippensburg? Our department offers courses in every world region during every major time period. Department faculty are committed teachers with distinguished research record. Our faculty share their skills with students by mentoring history majors who have secured undergraduate research grants. For those who qualify, there is an active chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honorary society. This organization, dedicated to history , provides opportunities, such as student research conferences, for the best history students. We also have an active History Club, open to any student who loves history. Nearby historical sites and institutions offer unusually rich resources for the study of history . Recently, students have arranged internships at such places as Gettysburg National Military Park, the U.S. Military History Institute, the U.S. Civil War Museum, the Cumberland County Historical Society, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Internships may also be arranged with approved historical institutions anywhere in Pennsylvania or the United States. View more details on Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related History courses.