History and Foreign Languages - History and Foreign Languages

History

History courses cover a vast range of periods and geographic areas, from the ancient era to the twenty-first-century, from modern China to modern Mexico. Classes explore a wide variety of themes and issues using a number of instruction methods from lecture to role playing games and small seminars. There is no better way to acquire and polish the soft skills that employers seek than studying the infinitely interesting field of history with our student-centered faculty. The department offers a B.A. History degree and a selection of minors that compliment any major.

Foreign Languages

The Foreign Languages program strives to help students develop noy only advanced language skills, but also an appreciation for the literature and cultures of these language communities. Introductory language courses are complemented by deeper studies, providing opportunities to develop more specific interests of students of translation, literature and culture. Students can earn a B.A. in Foreign Languages, with a concentration in Spanish. The program offers minors in French and Spanish, and classes in Portuguese.

Graduate Studies in History

The department offers a 30-hour M.A. in History. Students can choose the non-thesis option if they are heading toward a teaching career or the thesis option if they plan to pursue doctoral studies. This degree can be completed in the classroom or completely on-line. We also offers two graduate certificates, Teaching U.S. History and Teaching World History. Each certificate is 9 hours, or 3 classes. Completion of both certificates gives the student the required 18 hours of graduate work necessary to teach either dual enrollment high school classes or as an adjunct at the college level.

Clubs

We offer several avenues through which you can connect with professors and fellow students outside the classroom setting. From Phi Alpha Theta to Spanish Club to the Japan Club, we are confident that you will find a group that interests you.

Paul Beezley: Department Chair of History

"What’s past is prologue."

This phrase appears in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” and it also is engraved on the National Archives building in Washington D.C. Simply put, it tells us that our past, individual and collective, sets the stage for our present and our future. It contextualizes and, in one way or another, creates the present that we occupy.

Read Dr. Beezley's Message

Advisor Information

Jacksonville State University graduates a large number of history majors who are accepted to law school, masters programs, complete professional testing for teacher certification, and find employment in a variety of positions other professions, from museum work to insurance. Our foreign language majors go on to a variety of fields including private employment, teaching and masters programs.

General inquiries can be sent to Dr. Beezley, at pbeezley@jsu.edu. If you need History advising, contact your normal adviser via email. If you are unsure of your adviser’s name, email the History Undergraduate Program Officer, Dr. Levi at tlevi@jsu.edu. If you need Foreign Languages advising, email Dr. Abella (Spanish) at tabella@jsu.edu or Dr. Ron Koss (French) at rkoss@jsu.edu. History MA students can contact the Graduate Program Officer, Dr. Bishop, at wrbishop@jsu.edu.