History, Geography, and Museum Studies

At the undergraduate level, the department offers B.A. programs with a major in General History or African/African-American History as well as minors in General History, African-African/American History, and Geography. For students seeking more advanced study, M.A. programs in History and African-American Studies are available. The department also offers a doctoral program leading to the Ph.D. in history, with major fields available in African history, African Diaspora, and 20th Century American history.

In addition, the department hosts two historical societies and grants a number of competitive awards to its majors annually:

BENJAMIN QUARLES HISTORY CLUB: The on-campus club for history majors and other students interested in history. Meetings are held monthly and include lectures, film presentations, and social events.

PHI ALPHA THETA (Eta Omega Chapter): Phi Alpha Theta is the National History Honors Society. Morgan's chapter organizes interdisciplinary seminar for undergraduate and graduate students, and participate in historical events such as the Africa Film Festival and the History Day Celebration. Nationally, each year Phi Alpha Theta sponsors a meeting of chapters at which undergraduate and graduate students present their scholarly research. Lifetime membership in Phi Alpha Theta consists of a one-time fee of $45.00 and is open to undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty, who are thereby able to participate in its activities and compete for its awards and prizes. New members are inducted at the department's annual History Day event in April and receive the organization's journal, The Historian, and the Phi Alpha Theta Newsletter for one year thereafter. Eligibility requirements are as follows:

• Undergraduate: (1) 12 credits in history with a G.P.A. of 3.1, (2) G.P.A. of 3.0 in all other university courses
• Graduate: (1) 9 credits of graduate history work with a G.P.A. of 3.5, (2) no "F" on transcript

New members will be initiated in April during the department's History Day celebration and receive a Certificate of Membership; they may also wear the Phi Alpha Theta "Honor Cord" at commencement.  For the national Phi Alpha Theta office, contact University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Ave., Soc 107, Tampa, FL 33620; Phone: (800) 394-8195; (813) 974-8212; Fax: (813) 974-8215; Email: phialpha@phialphatheta.org; Online: www.phialphatheta.org .

AWARDS: The Department of History and Geography is very fortunate to be able to offer several awards to outstanding graduate and undergraduate students. The awards are funded through the generosity of former students and faculty members, and winning students receive a handsome, framed certificate, with most also receiving a substantial monetary award. The awards are normally conferred in the spring semester at our annual History Day. There is no application procedure-- the faculty Awards Committee meets early in the spring semester to consider various candidates for the awards, which are as follows:

• Alberta Green Memorial Scholarship. Funded by a gift from Dr. William Green, this awards $1000 to a graduate student who has demonstrated academic interest and promise of achievement in African-American history. The student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Isabel McConnell Memorial Scholarship. Funded by a gift from Dr. Roland McConnell in memory of his late wife, Isabel McConnell, this awards $500 to a graduate student who has demonstrated academic interest and promise of achievement in the discipline of history.
• Dr. Lathan A. Windley Memorial Scholarship. Funded by Dr. Flossie Windley in memory of her late husband, Dr. Lathan Windley, a former professor in the Department of History, this awards $250 to a junior or senior who majors in history, shows steadily improving grades in history, and is personally involved in the study of history.
• Roland McConnell Scholarship and Achievement Award. Funded by Dr. Roland McConnell, professor of history emeritus, this awards $250 to the top-ranking graduating history student with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Roland McConnell Incentive Award. Funded by Dr. Roland McConnell, this awards $250 to a junior history student with a GPA of 3.0 or better, and who shows promise of achievement.
• The Department of History and Geography Award. Funded by Ms. Mary Jamieson, a graduate of this department, this award is given to the history student who has been most active in contributing to the advancement of the work and image of the department through extra-curricular involvement.