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Fall & Spring 2009-2010 Advisors

Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Hermann Beck (hbeck@miami.edu)

Freshmen: Professors Hugh Thomas (h.thomas@miami.edu) and Dominique Reill (dreill@miami.edu)

Sophomores: Professors Kate Ramsey (kramsey@miami.edu) and Martin Nesvig (mnesvig@miami.edu)

Juniors: Professors Edmund Abaka (e.abaka@miami.edu) and Greg Bush (gbush@miami.edu)

Seniors: Professors Mike Bernath (mbernath@miami.edu) and Sybil Lipschultz (slipschultz@miami.edu)

Transfer credits: Professor Donald Spivey (dspivey@miami.edu)

Faculty Office Hours - Fall 2009 10/1

Download Faculty and Teaching Assistant Office Hours

Have You Considered Majoring in History?
If you have intellectual curiosity, a desire and longing to understand who you are and what transpired in this world before you emerged on the scene, you could be a potential History Major without knowing it. To major in history is to explore the substance of society. It is the starting point, the context in which issues and events, people and places, laws and society, progress and prosperity, problems and solutions are given roots and foundation.

History majors receive good background and frames of reference for advanced work in Business, Communications (Journalism), Economics, Law, Public Administration, and Policy Studies. Moreover, if history majors do not wish to continue their education beyond the Bachelor of Arts, they find employment with private nonprofit organizations, private individual or small firms, public agencies, and private sector corporations.

What Comprises a History Major at U.M.?
A major in history consists of at least 30 credits in history with a grade of C- or better in each course, and with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in history courses. These credits may include history courses taken for general distribution requirements, and must include at least 18 credits at the 300 level or above, within which at least 6 credits must be at the 500 level. All courses for majors will be selected by students in consultation with advisors designated by the department. History majors with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.6 in history courses may earn departmental honors by completing a research project of 6 credits judged worthy of honors by a departmental committee.

A minor in history consists of at least 15 credits in history with a grade of C- or better in each course, and with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in history courses. These credits may include history courses taken for general distribution requirements, and must include at least 9 credits at the 300 level or above. Courses for minors should be selected in consultation with a departmental advisor.

Phi alpha Theta - the National Honor Society
History majors performing at a high level can apply for membership in the U.M. chapter of Phi Alpha Theta- the national honor society. Regular meetings are held under the sponsorship of the History Department. Interesting speakers are invited to campus, scholarship opportunities are made available, and off campus excursions of an historical nature are planned by this group. A History Club, for those who are not history majors but are interested in the subject, meet in conjunction with Phi Alpha Theta. For more information contact:

Prof. Edmund Abaka
Ashe Building, Room 613
Phone: 305-284-3702
eabaka@miami.as.miami.edu

What Can I Do with History?
A better question might be: What can’t I do with a degree in history? History is a practical matter. We live in an informational age. On the local, national, and international levels, information is the key to success. Multi-national businesses, for example, are now demanding that their executives be knowledgeable of the people and cultures around them and be able to communicate effectively.

History is also an excellent beginning and solid stepping stone to professional schools. From law to journalism, from theology to medicine, history will serve you well as either a major or a minor.

Where Can I Learn More about the History Program?
The History Department invites you to become acquainted with its Undergraduate Office, located in Room 611 of the Ashe Administration Building. It is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00 - 12:00 p.m., or by appointment. Here you can learn about graduation requirements, scholarship possibilities, overseas study, summer programs, transfer credits from other institutions, departmental and university honors, and much more. For more information, or an appointment, contact:

Prof. Hermann Beck, Director
Undergraduate Studies in History
Phone: 305-284-5947
hbeck@miami.edu

200-Level Courses
These courses provide students with a general introduction to Asian history, American history, Latin American history, and Western Civilization. Students in the College of Arts and Sciences must take six credits in one of these sequences. These survey sequences are designed to introduce students to broad-based themes in history, including political, economic, social and cultural developments of the past. They also help students learn how to use evidence to shape historical arguments, and to sharpen their critical thinking skills in both oral and written communication.

300-Level Courses
These courses offer students a more focused exploration of a particular theme in history, and provide the opportunity for class discussion and more intensive writing assignments. Students will be introduced to some of the central historical literature in a specific field, and will learn how historians have constructed historical interpretations in this field in the past. They also will be introduced to the methodologies of historical research to learn how to conduct original historical research. These courses are writing intensive and have a prerequisite of 3 credits in history.

400-Level Courses
These courses are directed readings in a specific field, and require the permission of the instructor. Students in these courses participate in one-on-one discussion of readings with the professor. Students with a GPA in History courses of 3.6 are eligible for departmental honors. To qualify, these students must complete a research project of six credits judged worthy of honors by a departmental committee. Students seeking honors must register in a 500 level course in the spring term of their final year with the permission of a history professor who agrees to serve as honors thesis chair.

500-Level Courses
These courses offer intensive examination of a particular field, and deal extensively with historical interpretations and research methodologies of the field. Courses at this level are designed to sharpen students' skills in historical analysis and research. Students are required to write a major research or analytic paper. Prerequisites for these courses include 6 credits in history, at least 3 at the 300 level or above.