HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, AND PHILOSOPHY

Dr. Bob Wilson, Interim Chair and Professor
Professors: John D. Fair and Deborah L. Vess
Associate Professors: Stephen Auerbach, Chuck Fahrer, Doug R. Oetter, Craig S. Pascoe, William Risch, and James Winchester
Assistant Professors: David Connolly, Mark Huddle, and Huaiyu Wang

Department Contact Information:
Georgia College & State University
History, Geography and Philosophy
Campus Box 47
Milledgeville, GA 31061
478-445-5215
History, Geography, and Philosophy Department Web site
Interim Chair, ,
Administrative Assistant, Amy Mimes, amy.mimes@gcsu.edu

MISSION

History is the basis of a liberal arts education and important to the education of persons in all walks of life. Through its offerings in the core, its major, minor, and Master's degrees in history, its minor in geography, and its major and minor in philosophy, the Department of History, Geography and Philosophy has as its mission to provide students with the following: a working knowledge of past and place; an understanding of the connections of past and present; intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for learning; an ability to conduct historical, geographical , and philosophical research, to examine and analyze material critically, and to communicate knowledge and ideas effectively; preparation for advanced study and professional careers in history or other occupations; and the capacity for lifelong learning and responsible participation as citizens of today's world. Faculty members in the department seek to serve as excellent teachers and as role models of lifelong scholarly pursuit and community service.

STUDENT SUCCESS

Earning a college degree is a significant milestone in one's life and requires dedication to one's studies and tremendous effort to succeed. In order to enable you to achieve this goal, we have dedicated ourselves to developing measures that help ensure student success in our department's programs. This process begins with the First-Year Academic Seminar (HIST 0001 or PHIL 0001), in which you are introduced to the faculty and students who make up the departmental community. A major in history or philosophy will join with other first-year students to get an overview of the subject matter covered in the major, explore career possibilities, and to develop techniques for getting the most out of college courses and activities. Students will also learn about departmental and University expectations, policies, and resources. Because the college experience at GCSU is more intense than at many other schools, we have designed each curriculum to help you each step of the way. In addition, we are committed to offering the courses necessary to ensure that students who follow the program of study will graduate in four years. Toward that end, a typical four-year program of study has been developed, which serves as a guide each term for scheduling courses. Required courses are specified, then sequencing of courses is recommended. Students are advised to enroll in an average of 30 semester hours each year.

The Department of History, Geography and Philosophy seeks to enhance student interests through three programs of study. The Bachelor of Arts in History is a traditional course of study designed for students interested in further professional training, especially in secondary education and graduate work in history. The department's Bachelor of Arts in Public History program prepares students to engage the public in such historically related contexts as archives, museums, and preservation settings. The Philosophy major engages students in logical and critical thinking, philosophical analysis, and scholarly philosophical writing. Participation in the History Club, Philosophy Club, and Cogito, a strong geography minor, international study opportunities, and senior thesis allow the opportunity for you to further enhance your experience. The History/Geography/Philosophy Department, through constant student involvement in a wide variety of intramural and extramural activities, strives to provide building-blocks for success.

INTERNSHIPS

A variety of internships offering practical experience in history-related work are available through the department, including such opportunities as work at historical societies and preservation sites. For further details consult the department Chair.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

The Department sponsors three organizations for undergraduate students. The History Club is open to all individuals interested in historical events and research. The local chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honorary association, is open by invitation to students with exceptional records. The philosophy club Cogito is open to anyone interested in philosophy. The Department also sponsors Epsilon Theta, an organization for graduate students in history.

CAREER INFORMATION

The study of history prepares one directly for many occupations and indirectly for many more. History majors often go into work related to history, such as teaching or administration at the secondary or college level or into work at historical societies, archives, museums, parks, or historical sites. Library work, government service, and many other areas not directly related to history are also open to history majors. History is an excellent background subject for those going into the law, the ministry, journalism and media work. Many business positions are open to history majors, especially those requiring breadth of knowledge, research and writing ability, and skill in organizing information.

Geography, with the strong foundation it provides in the physical systems of the planet as well as the structural study of human society over the centuries, opens up a number of career pathways. These careers include, among many: teaching, civil service, environmental protection, land management, energy conservation, urban and regional planning, mapping science, national security, geospatial technology, and international development.

The study of philosophy with its emphasis in critical reading, writing, and argumentative skills is excellent preparation for law school. Students who wish to go to medical school might major in philosophy while simultaneously doing the pre-medicine curriculum. Philosophy also helps prepare future physicians to discuss the ethical issues so omnipresent in medicine today. Students majoring in English and philosophy, or a foreign language and philosophy are well prepared for the theoretical study demanded in these graduate programs. Students interested in business can combine a major or minor in philosophy with a minor in business. Students who choose a major in philosophy ensure that a significant portion of their education is devoted to the intensive study of reason, argumentation and ethics which are valuable tools for many careers.

TEACHER CERTIFICATION

Students who wish to pursue teacher certification with a field in History through GCSU's Four-Plus-One program, which allows the student to receive both certification and master's degree in one extra year of study, should pursue a B.A. in History first. In addition, the College of Education recommends joining the Future High School Educators Club in order to begin making contacts in the College of Education and to learn more about the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree. In addition to history requirements, students are encouraged to take EDUC 2110 Investigating Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education.

Students who wish to pursue teacher certification with a field in broad field social science through GCSU's Four-Plus-One program, which allows the student to receive both certification and the M.A.T. degree, are encouraged to take the following courses: EDUC 2110 Investigating Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education; ANTH 1102 Introduction to Anthropology (3 hours); ECON 2106 Principles of Microeconomics (3 hours), ECON 2105 Principles of Macroeconomics (3 hours), ECON 3170 Comparative Economic Systems (3 hours); HIST 1131 World Civilization and Society I (3 hours), HIST 1132 (World Civilization and Society II (3 hours), HIST 2111 The United States to 1877 (3 hours), HIST 2112 The United States since 1877 (3 hours); GEOG 1101 Introduction to Human Geography (3 hours), GEOG 4305 Cultural Geography (3 hours); POLS 1150 Politics and Society (3 hours), POLS 2301 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 hours), POLS 2401 International Politics and Issues (3 hours), POLS 4110 Political Theory I (3 hours), POLS 4111 Political Theory II (3 hours), POLS 4121 American Political Thought II (3 hours), POLS 4611 Contemporary International Problems (3 hours); PSYC 1101 Introduction to General Psychology (3 hours), PSYC 2101 Introduction to the Psychology of Adjustment (3 hours); SOCI 1121 Sociological Perspectives (3 hours), SOCI 4410 Population (3 hours), SOCI 3444 Race and Ethnic Relations (3 hours), SOCI 3452 Complex Organizations (3 hours).

For more information on this program, inquire at the office of the Dean of the College of Education, 22O Kilpatrick Education Center, phone (478) 445-4546.

DEGREES AND MINORS OFFERED