Career In History (Contribution: Shina Terseer)
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Building a career in history is a disturbing thought that most students, parents and guardians very often refuse to allow their minds dwell long on. To many, the mention of history as a course of study induces frown and/or other forms of annoying body expressions. The reason is not far-fetched, to some of them; history is not a visibly lucrative course. The truth however is that very many people know little or nothing about the course. For instance,
history is often declared by laymen and most surprisingly by some in the academics as mere stories that have no bearing on the existing realities in the society. This is not the actual situation if one would choose to be freed from the myopia of historical poverty and be exposed to appreciate the importance and benefits of building a career in history.
history is often declared by laymen and most surprisingly by some in the academics as mere stories that have no bearing on the existing realities in the society. This is not the actual situation if one would choose to be freed from the myopia of historical poverty and be exposed to appreciate the importance and benefits of building a career in history.
History, according to E.H. Carr.” is…..a continuous process of interaction between the historian and his fact, an unending dialogue between the present and the past”.
Embedded in this widely accepted definition are the two aspects of history. The first is history as a study which invariably involves all the writings, recordings or the critical and objective assessment of historical sources, evidences or facts for a scientific and logical reconstruction of man’s activity in nature over time. These activities could be political, economic, social or religious. On the other hand the second part is history as a process which involves all the past activities of man, or the various changes that man has undergone in so many a times in the society.
It is important to understand that these two aspects of history cannot exist in isolation, or do without the other. There is a dialectical relationship between them. Therefore, to narrow it down, history simply means the critical study of the past activities in the various aspects of the societal arrangements be it political, economic, social, or religious in nature over time to understand the present and follow the possible trends for the future. This is only made possible by the availability of evidences, or sources without which any account established will be a mere fabrication.
It can be deduced then that there is much to history than the sound of the world or what most laymen and those outside the discipline float at. The discipline is holistic and arouses a high sense of criticism in individuals as well as equips them with a very wide knowledge on the affairs of the world to enable them cope and work anywhere. History goes beyond the structural aspects of societal organization to ascertain the causal factors of a decline, stagnation, growth, conflicts amongst others that affect human lives.
Good graduates of history are readily absorbed by a lot of establishments, government ministries, law firms, police force, banks, public relations, social works, media houses and many others. A good number of them are doing absolutely well in the media houses especially in journalism which is a professional course that makes good use of sources to establish events. It is a well-known fact that sources are the backbone of history and the evaluation of these sources should best be left to the historians.
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A degree in history furnishes with the ability to think independently, write clearly and analyze critically, making history graduates highly valued by their employers. Their skills in interpretation and communication are priceless and in very high demand everywhere. In addition, historians can go into the academics as lecturers and researchers, while some venture into archive work and museum management.
Qualifying for Admission
To secure admission to study history, prospective students must possess five credits to include History and English Language. The entrance examination is UTME where one is expected to have a good score and pass the Post-UTME screening. To secure direct entry admission, candidates must possess two ‘A’ level passes in History and any other related subjects. It takes a minimum of four academic years to obtain a Bachelors degree in History for UTME entrant and three academic years for direct entrant.
Universities in Nigeria offering History as a course of study
The following Nigerian universities offer history as a course of study: ABU, ABUJA, ANSU, BAI, BAYERO, BENIN, BINGHAM, BSU, GSU, IBADAN, JABU, KASU, LAPI, MAIDUGURI, NASARAWA, OAU, UDU, UMYUK, UNN, WUKARI (as history and development studies), AAUA.
HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES is offered as a course of study is offered in a number of Nigerian universities. To gain admission through UTME, candidates must obtain five credits to include English Language, Geography, and Government/History. For direct entry admission, candidates must possess two ‘A’ level passes or NCE (upper credit) in history, government and any other related subject. Those with diploma in International Affairs/ Strategic Studies or related discipline stand to be considered for direct entry admission as well.
Universities offering HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES include: AAU, AAUA, ABSU, AJAYI, AL-HIKMAH, BABCOCK, CALABAR, DELSU, IMSU, JOS, KSU, LASU, UNAD, UNIOSUN, ABUAD, KWASU, EBSU, UNIZIK, UYO, VERITAS, REDEEMERS, AAU.
PHC and OOU offer HISTORY AND DIPLOMATIC STUDIES, while IBADAN offers HISTORY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE. LAGOS offers HISTORY AND STRATEGIC STUDIES just as NDU offers HISTORY AND DIPLOMACY while ABU and TSUJ offer HISTORY AND ARCHEOLOGY.
In conclusion, students aspiring to study history must above all things be interested in the past. This will enable them to bring a broad range of sympathies and sensitivity to the study of the course, which of course makes it one of the most enjoyable and rewarding course of study.
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