History Program

Contact Info

Dr. Jeri Kirby
Chair, Department of Social Science
College of Liberal Arts
115 Hardway Hall
Phone: 304.367.4676
FAX: 304.367.4785
E-Mail: Jkirby2@fairmontstate.edu

Understand the historical roots of the modern world
Study the history of human society and culture
Enjoy electives in American and World history
Couple a History minor with another Fairmont State major

Overview

The History program offers two types of degrees. 

The Bachelor of Arts degree, which requires the study of foreign languages, is a good choice for students seeking a core liberal arts education and who may wish to pursue postgraduate study in the humanities. 

The Bachelor of Science degree develops basic capabilities in statistics, social science, and computer science. It is a good choice for students interested in the modern social sciences approach to historical understanding.

The Fairmont State University History major includes core introductory courses in U.S. and world history as well as specialized courses on chronological eras, such as the Civil War or 19th century Europe, and thematic fields, like gender/sexuality, culture, and revolutions. 

Career Opportunities

Students completing a bachelor’s degree in history may enter professional practice in academic history (teaching and writing), public history (archives and special research, consultancy), or publishing (print, electronic, film and television documentary).  Here are some career examples:

  • Educator (secondary or college-level)
  • Museum Researcher or Curator
  • Archivist or Librarian
  • National Park Service
  • Documentary Editor
  • Legislative Staff Worker
  • Lawyer
  • Politician or Government Employee
  • Social Justice Professions/Organizations

Model Schedule

Additional Resources

Mission Statement

"We, the History faculty of Fairmont State University, pledge to develop in our students the knowledge of historical content and the nurturing of historical inquiry skills through the context of time, continuity and change." May, 2016

To that end, we will provide students with the opportunities listed in our catalog:

Every person, every place, everything on earth has a history, a story of its past that can help us understand human existence and human behavior. The History Program’s major and minor draw upon a broad curriculum that encompasses regional, national, and international history, as well as such special topics as the revolutions in history and diplomatic history. The History Program offers two types of majors. The Bachelor of Arts degree has the traditional emphasis on language skills, especially through study of a foreign language. It is a good choice for students thinking about postgraduate study. The Bachelor of Science degree develops basic capabilities in statistics and computer science. It is a good choice for students interested in the modern social science approach to historical understanding.

The great advantages of historical study are:

  1. Emphasis on developmental and evolutionary aspects of human experience.
  2. Examination of many different fields of human activity.
  3. Use of insights and methods of many other fields.


Students completing a bachelor’s degree in history may enter professional practice in academic history (teaching and writing), public history (archives and special research, consultancy) or publishing (print, electronic, film and television documentary). The history major also provides excellent preparation for careers in law, government, politics, foreign service, historical preservation and journalism.*

*-taken from the Fairmont State University catalog, 2015-2016 page 55.

Goals

The BA graduate will have a well-rounded background in History content, along with foreign language and research skills.

Students with Minors in History will have a broad background in historical content along with research skills.

Students will learn historical content and historical skills through study in our survey courses in US and World History.

Core Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a general knowledge of the United States and World History.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to think critically about and to analyze primary and secondary historical materials.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both in written and oral forms. Possess the ability to understand historical debate and controversy.
  4. Possess an understanding that although the past tends to be viewed in terms of present values, a proper perception of the past requires a serious examination of values of that time.
  5. Demonstrate a knowledge of geography as it relates to history.
  6. Possess an understanding of how society, economics, international relations, culture, and politics combine to have an impact on history and its creation.