History
The study of history is an important part of a liberal arts education, addressing fundamental questions about the nature of humanity and society and providing a valuable perspective on past experiences and the times in which we live. The study of history is an enriching process. A bachelor of arts in history also provides a solid foundation for a variety of careers and advanced degree programs and is excellent preparation for law school.
Program of Study
The required core curriculum provides history majors with a broad-based introduction to a wide range of courses in American and European history, including such topics as the Civil War, Tzarist Russia, Classical Greece, Women’s History and the South. The department also offers courses that cover Imperial China, modern China and the British Empire. The major in history requires 36 hours, and the minor 18 hours. Students must take courses in U.S. History to 1865, U.S. History since 1865, World Civilizations to 1500, World Civilizations since 1500, Historiography and the Senior Research Seminar. Students interested in teaching may pursue Licensure in Social Studies. The program features a study of world civilizations, United States and North Carolina history, and European, Russian, Asian and Middle Eastern history.
Internships
Some history majors receive course credit and valuable experience through internships with archives, museums and historic or government agencies. At UNC Asheville, internships are encouraged in all disciplines to enable students to get valuable first-hand experience.
Faculty
The History Department faculty members have published widely, including scholarly books in the fields of English, French, Russian, ancient Chinese, and U.S. Southern and environmental history. Our faculty members regularly contribute articles and reviews to professional journals. They represent fields of teaching expertise that include the history of the United States, early modern and modern Europe, China and women’s history.
Post-Graduate Opportunities
The largest number of history majors enter business at the management level. Almost as many pursue licensure in education at the K–12 level. Others have become journalists, bankers, sportswriters, officers in the armed services and ministers. Many of our graduates are employed by government agencies at the local, state and federal levels as city and regional planners, researchers and analysts for state legislators, park historians, public information officers, foreign service specialists and more. Others are curators for museums, historical societies and libraries. A considerable number of our graduates are engaged in law practice. Some have gone into banking, politics and medicine, and others are self-employed. A few even teach history. Our students have gone on to pursue graduate studies at Wake Forest, UNC Chapel Hill, Georgetown, University of Wisconsin, Boston University and Purdue, among many other schools.
More Information
History Department
111 Carmichael Hall, CPO #1610
UNC Asheville
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804-8505
828.251.6415