Chair, History Department
Ph.D., Kent State University
Department of History
(440) 826-2076
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OVERVIEW
Designed for students who love history but want to boost career potential by adding in-demand tech skills, BW's Bachelor of Science in applied history is an innovative, interdisciplinary program that blends the traditional skills and knowledge of historians with computer science proficiencies.
As an applied history major, you'll engage in quantitative and qualitative research, practice project management, and learn grant-writing by preparing a real grant proposal for a community organization. You'll learn to express data visually and to program websites, apps or games.
As a graduate of this program, you'll be prepared to critically assess data, to solve complex problems, and to perceive and seize business opportunities. BW's proximity to Cleveland and its numerous business, nonprofit and government organizations provides outstanding learning opportunities for a required internship. You'll enter the job market with real-world experience and career skills valued by today's employers.
Which BW History Major is Right for You?
The department of history offers three majors for different career tracks.
B.S. in Applied History
If you love history but want to work in a corporate, nonprofit or tech field where you will need a foundation in historical knowledge but also skills in data analysis, presentation and technological applications, consider the B.S. in applied history.
B.A. in Public History
If you aspire to a career in a museum, archive, library, the National Parks Service or other venue that teaches history to members of the public, the B.A. in public history is for you. BW offers the only undergraduate public history major in Ohio.
B.A. in History
If you want to prepare for law school, paralegal certification, grades 7-12 social studies teaching, government employment or public policy work, or if you love history but want to remain flexible in your career options, BW offers a B.A. in history. Students in this program can easily double major in another discipline such as science or English.
CURRICULUM
The Bachelor of Science in applied history includes core courses in history, statistics, quantitative research, grant writing and curating information for public use. See full list of required courses and electives.
Depending on your specific career objectives, you can choose electives that will help you gain valuable technology skills in project management, information technology (programming, data visualization or project-oriented technologies), statistical research and problem solving. So, if for example you want to design historically-themed video games, you can choose a track in programming. If you want to work for the Federal Reserve, you can pursue a track in data analysis and computing, and consider a minor in economics.
As an advanced student, you'll complete a required research capstone and a required internship that will ensure you have work experience in your chosen field before you graduate.
STUDENT EXPERIENCES
As an applied history major, you'll experience small classes, individual mentoring focused on your personal career goals, and rigorous training in research, analysis and technological applications.
In the classroom and in the field, you'll benefit from BW professors who are award-winning teachers and scholars, working archivists, as well as practitioners.
You'll work with your professors to design independent research projects and collaborate on real-world projects. They'll assist you as you explore internships, study abroad and develop career experience.
Student Clubs and Organizations
History Club
Fostering a community among students interested in history, this organization provides history-related social activities. Past events include historically-themed movie nights, culturally-themed food and trivia contests.
Phi Alpha Theta
This organization is the National Honor Society in History. Its members have achieved high standards of scholarship and professional merit. Phi Alpha Theta members present research at annual regional professional conferences and the biennial national conference. They are also eligible for paper awards and scholarships.
Faculty-Student Collaboration
This program provides opportunities for students to earn credit through participating in research or creative activities with a professor. Past projects related to applied history have included the Berea Cemetery Documentation Project, which created a searchable database of biographical information for individuals buried in cemeteries in the City of Berea.
ALUMNI SUCCESS
FACULTY
Full-Time Faculty
Kyriakos Nalmpantis
Chair, History Department
Associate Professor
Ph.D., Kent State University
Indira Gesink
Professor
Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis
Nicholas Mays
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Kent State University
Robert Montgomery
Professor
Ph.D., Indiana University
Kieth Peppers
University Archivist
Instructor
M.A., Cleveland State University
Steven E. Siry
Professor
Ph.D., University of Cincinnati
Adjunct Faculty
Tamara Rand
Lecturer
Ph.D., The University of Akron
Thomas Uthup
Lecturer
Ph.D., SUNY-Binghamton