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History Overview & Goals

The History program at Bethany College trains students to think critically about the past and to analyze the ways in which historical events have shaped the world we live in today. Through classes in European, United States and World history, Bethany History majors study the world-changing military, political and diplomatic events of the past, the great economic and cultural developments that transformed human existence, and the art and ideas that fundamentally altered how humans see and think about the world around them.

Students develop critical thinking skills in analyzing historical arguments and conducting independent research and hone their writing skills through preparing term papers and a senior project.

Graduates of the history program have used the skills and knowledge gained from their Bethany degree to pursue careers in a wide range of professions, including education, law, business and the public sector. Many have gone on to obtain advanced degrees from prestigious institutions.

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Areas Of Study

History (Major, Minor)
International Studies (Major)

ALUMNISUCCESS

“As a History major, Bethany College was an ideal setting in which to study, from the iconic Old Main and the grand old buildings on campus to the beautiful downtown historic district. At Phillips Library the college archivist encouraged me to work hands-on with the rare books and artifacts and I was immediately hooked. I graduated from Bethany and landed a job at the Library of Congress before pursuing a Master’s degree and eventually finding my way back to West Virginia as an archivist and records manager. While I learned theory and critical thinking in the classroom, it was the visceral connection to the past that working in an archives provides that truly set the course of my career. A degree from Bethany could have landed me any number of jobs, but I probably wouldn’t be where I am were it not for that chance visit to the college archives.”

Jon-Erik Gilot

History, 2006, Director of Archives & Records, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston

CAREERS IN HISTORY

With your degree in history, you can be an educator, researcher, communicator or editor, information manager, advocate, or even a businessperson.

Here is a brief list of the career opportunities available to the undergraduate history major. This list is based on a very useful pamphlet, Careers for Students of History, written by Barbara J. Howe and jointly published by the American Historical Association and the National Council on Public History in 1989. While this online miniguide is based on this pamphlet (now out of print), with appropriate paraphrases from its text, it discusses also some of the new opportunities that became available to the history major in the recent past.

History BAs intending to pursue an advanced degree in history should read the excellent guide, Careers for Students of History, by Constance Schulz, Page Putnam Miller, Aaron Marrs, and Kevin Allen (2002).

  • Historians as Researchers
  • Museums and Historical Organizations
  • Cultural Resources Management and Historic Preservation
  • Think Tanks
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Meet The Faculty

Kayce Mobley

Kayce Mobley

Assistant Professor; Chair of History and Political Science

Morlan Hall
kmobley@bethanywv.edu
304.829.7406
Harwood McClerking

Harwood McClerking, Ph.D.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science

Morlan Hall, 205
hmcclerking@bethanywv.edu
304.829.7447
Autumn Mayle

Autumn Mayle

Assistant Professor of History

Morlan Hall
amayle@bethanywv.edu
Amanda Leifson

Amanda Leifson

Adjunct Professor

Morlan Hall
aleifson@bethanywv.edu

View our course catalogue for the full list of requirements and course descriptions. 

Interested in learning more about studying History at Bethany?

We’d love to tell you more about it and answer any questions you may have.

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