History is not just a subject for classroom study at William Jewell. The entire college is steeped in rich tradition from the foundations of Jewell Hall to the Civil War graves on campus. Here history majors and minors are challenged to consider past events as they relate to the present. They are encouraged to explore ethical and religious concerns as well as social issues. Through their investigation of topics in American history and world history, including the continuing Middle East crisis, students gain insight into a variety of disciplines, cultures, and current trends.
Degree program offered:
Bachelor of Arts
Distinctives:
The history faculty members at WJC do more than prepare you for a single career; they give you a solid foundation in research, critical thinking, and analytical learning that you can use in a variety of jobs or in graduate study. Class sizes are kept small to encourage individual attention and the free exchange of ideas.At Jewell many other outstanding opportunities are open to history majors and minors:
·Internships that provide practical job experiences at any one of several venues including local museums and genealogical libraries
·22 overseas study programs
·A longstanding chapter of the history honor society Phi Alpha Theta that has been in existence at William Jewell for over 60 years
·Colloquium, seminar, and readings courses that allow students to explore topics
of personal interest not specifically listed in the catalog
·A capstone course in which majors conduct in-depth research on a project of their choosing
·Ability to present student research papers to the college and community through participation in the annual David Nelson Duke Undergraduate Colloquium
·A curriculum that incorporates the study of historiography
·Meaningful assignments that involve not only research and book reviews but also counterfactual history (proposing what might have been), and trips to places of historical interest like local museums such as the National World War I Museum and the Truman Library
·Varied methods of teaching including multimedia presentations that allow students to view pictures of important sites and historical figures, maps, works of art, and relevant movie clips as specific events are discussed in class
·Periodically scheduled “Movie Nights” each semester featuring films of historical interest
·Occasional on-campus addresses by noted historians like Niall Ferguson and Garry Wills
·Outstanding area libraries including the regional branch of the National Archives in Kansas City
Are you ready to make some Jewell history? Drop us an e-mail, schedule a visit, or call us toll free (1-888-2-JEWELL).
History Faculty:
Thomas Howell, Ph.D Professor of History and Department Chair Dr. Howell received a B.A. from Louisiana College and an M.A. and Ph.D from Louisiana State University and was a Fulbright professor at the University of Iceland. He offers courses in both American and world history. World War II and the Middle East are his areas of special interest, but teaches additional courses in areas such as in religion in America and post-World War II American history. He came to the college in Fall 2006 after an extensive teaching career at other institutions.
Elaine A.Reynolds, Ph.D. Professor of History Dr. Reynolds attended the University of New York at Buffalo for her B.A. and received an M.A. and Ph.D. from Cornell University. She teaches British history and modern European history. Her research interest is the history of law enforcement and crime in London in the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1998, Dr. Reynolds published Before the Bobbies: The Night Watch and Police Reform in Metropolitan London,1720-1830. She was also a Visiting Fellow at Harris-Manchester College, Oxford in Fall 2001. Dr. Reynolds has been with William Jewell since 1986.
Professor of History Dr. Spletstoser received both a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Missouri - Kansas City, and a Ph.D. from Louisiana State University. American history is Dr. Spletstoser's area of interest. Recently, he has been working with the U.S. District courts, interviewing the older and retired judges. Dr. Spletstoser has been with the College since 1985.
Jane Woodruff, Ph.D Associate Professor of Greek, Latin, and History Dr. Woodruff received her Ph.D from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in ancient history and classics. She holds a joint appointment in both the Department of Languages and the Department of History. She teaches in the area of ancient history including specific courses in ancient Greece and ancient Rome.
