History

Historians record and analyze past and current events of human activity so that we can better understand the present and guide our future. Some, like biographers and genealogists, focus on the events of individuals, while others may address activities of groups, whether social, ethnic, political, religious, or geographic.

It is the historian's challenge not only to research the facts but also to present them in the spirit of the time they occured and in the ever-changing perspective of our own time. It is a task that requires knowledge in many areas, especially the other social sciences and the humanities.

Distinctive Features at Miami

Research and internships: Undergraduates have opportunities to work with faculty on their research or to have faculty guide them in their own work. In the university wide Summer Scholars Program, recent history student research included "Chicago Jazz in the 1920s," "Islamic Historiography," and "Changing Economic and Subsistence Strategies of Cherokee and Chickasaw Women."

Miami is increasingly stressing the importance of internships. The history faculty work with the Career Planning and Placement Office to find opportunities for students. For example, one history major recently served as an intern in the State Department's Office of Chemical and Nuclear Nonproliferation.

Faculty focus on teaching: While our professors are active writers and researchers, their first priority is teaching, as evidenced by these recent teaching awards: Ohio Academy of History Distinguished Teaching Award, Miami University Alumni Teacher Award, University Honors Program Professor of the Year, and College of Arts and Science Outstanding Educator Award.

Your Program of Study

In addition to Introduction to Historical Inquiry, you take required courses in American history, Western or European civilization, and world history, and a senior capstone. You also select electives representing a variety of subjects and approaches to history. Department offerings range from "Ancient Near East" to "Recent American History."

One of the strengths of Miami's history department is the number of faculty and their diverse interests which include nearly all major areas and periods of historical study. You can take courses from specialists in political, social, economic, intellectual, religious, constitutional, military, and legal history.

The history department has an active departmental honors program and also participates in the university honors program.

If you want to teach history in high school, you must meet the social studies major requirements in the School of Education and Allied Professions.

Student Organization

Phi Alpha Theta is the history honorary organization.

After You Graduate

The great majority of recent graduates have gone on to careers in business, law, government service, and journalism. Some of their titles are social studies teacher, public relations coordinator, research director, assistant bank manager, reference librarian, and legal assistant. Although most of these careers require graduate or some specialized undergraduate training, history students have the advantage of a broad, diversified undergraduate education in their applications for graduate and professional schools.

Increasingly, businesses are willing, even eager, to employ liberal arts graduates, who often have
a stronger grasp of how society works and better communication skills than do more narrowly focused students.

Most professional historians are educators, holding advanced degrees, and many of our graduates continue their studies. Miami offers a master's degree in history.

For More Information

For general information about Miami University, please contact:

Office of Admission
301 S. Campus Ave.
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056-3434
513-529-2531 (v/t)
www.muohio.edu/requestinfo

For specific information on the History major, please contact:

Department of History
Upham Hall
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
513-529-5121
www.muohio.edu/history