Course Overview.
History is simply the study of past events, with emphasis on human affairs. History provides the skills required to analyze and interpret national and global affairs in historical perspective. Professionals in this field may be referred to as historians among other titles. Historians studies the ideas, events, individuals and institutions of the past to answer questions, uncover patterns and unearth information that provide historical context for understanding modern issues. In addition, they research, analyze, interpret and present the past by studying a variety of historical documents and sources.
Bachelor of Arts in History is a four year course that has been designed to equip learners with a variety of historical knowledge that enables them to critically understand the importance and nature of history. Students are exposed to analytical and research skills for the purpose of dissemination and production of historical knowledge thereby enhancing student’s ability to recognize the diversity of global cultural and historical experiences and help in inculcating student’s sense of patriotism and good leadership skills.
The course gives historical surveys of various countries such as; Kenya, Africa, Latin America, Europe, United States of America, Asia as well as the developing countries. The course aims at sensitizing students on the significance of historical and cultural knowledge in creating national cohesion, while contributing to international understanding. Some specific areas of study include; offers specific courses in economic, political, environmental, medical, intellectual and gender history. Graduates of the course will therefore be equipped with adequate skills, attitudes and knowledge that will enable them to work effectively within a globalized village that emphasizes national cohesion, regional cooperation and integration, as well as a functional global society.
Entry Qualifications.
For self sponsored students, at least a mean grade of C+ in KCSE. For Government sponsored students, the minimum cut point which is announced annually applies. The students should in addition have good performance in the following cluster subjects; Subject 1 HAG, Subject 2 ENG/KIS, Subject 3 MAT A / MAT B or any GROUP II, Subject 4 a GROUP II or 2nd GROUP III or any GROUP IV or any GROUP V.
Becoming an historian
If you are passionate and interested in history, politics and international relations besides enjoying investigating and researching, then this pursuing this course might be a good choice for you. In addition, you should be prepared to develop skills that can enable you grow and succeed in this field.
Historians must have excellent analytical skills to enable them examine data and information in historical sources and be able to draw logical conclusions from them, whether the sources are material artifacts, visual images, written documents among others. They must also have excellent communication skills because historians often give presentations on their historical specialty to the public. These professionals need to have good people skills and interact effectively with people during interviews to collect oral histories, consult with clients or even working in collaboration with colleagues in the workplace.
Historian should possess good problem solving skills and be able to answer various questions about the past. Good investigation skills go hand in hand with this field as historians must be able to investigate something unknown about a past event, idea , person or identify how the past has affected the present. Good research skills are equally important as historians must be able to examine and process information from a large number of historical texts, documents among other sources. Historians present their findings in articles, reports and books; they should therefore have good writing skills.
Work environment.
Most historians work in offices and may travel to carry out research.
Career opportunities
Historians may find employment in private and public sectors. Some areas of employment may include; Education (schools and museum sites), Research (Museums and Historical Organizations, Think Tanks), Communication (Journalists & Documentary Editors), Information management (Archivists, Records Managers etc), Businesses (Historians in Corporations, Historians and Nonprofits Associations) among other areas of employment. Graduates can also use their creativity to start their own businesses.
You may explore these courses
Bachelor of Arts in History & Economics
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, With IT
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
Bachelor of Arts (BA)