History

Programs of Study click to expand

What is history?

History provides a framework for understanding ourselves, our world and our times. Onto this broad frame we attach stories of people, cultures and events. This structure and its stories provide us with analogies to help us form meaning, understanding and wisdom. History gives us access to those who have lived before us — and we discover that we are not alone. Those who have lived before us challenge us to think and rethink our worldview. Above all, we learn to think historically.

Success factors

A student who is successful in the field of history should possess some or all of the following: intellectual curiosity; wide-ranging interest in people, events, and trends; desire to understand cause and effect, past and present; curiosity about what historical trends have shaped the present; interest in applying current trends to project possible outcomes in the future; ability to gather and organize historical data (research) in order to write a narrative; a sense of perspective, creativity.

Career possibilities

History provides a solid base for many careers, including: teaching, writing, research, curriculum development, communication, journalism, law, human services, public policy, politics, social work, executive coaching, anthropology, market research, publishing, museum management and curating, archives management, library science, historic preservation, genealogical consulting, tour guiding, business analysis, records management, national park service interpretation.

“Hesston College history classes will give you a completely new perspective on our history, and make it relevant to our lives today. History will no longer be a dull textbook full of names and dates to memorize for one test and never think about again.”
— Erika Byler, class of 2016

Majoring in history

Students will engage the disciplines of history that include researching current trends and controversies, writing biographies, researching historical markers, critiquing standard histories, assisting congregational historians, interacting with local and regional historical groups and institutions, such as the Santa Fe Trail Association, Harvey County Historical Society and Museum, The Kansas African American Museum, Mid-America All Indian Center, the Museum of World Treasures, and the Kansas Sampler Foundation.

“Studying history at Hesston College isn’t just reading a textbook. It’s reading multiple perspectives, reflection on my biases, discussion with other students and developing a more holistic worldview in order to become more accepting of others in our world today.”
— Shelby Miller, class of 2016

Sample curriculum – associate degree in history

Pre-Law

What is pre-law?

Pre-law is not a major. In fact, there is no preferred major for students interesting in law nor are there specific prerequisite courses needed to get into law school. Pre-law is simply an interest in pursuing a graduate degree in law.

Entry into law school is competitive. Students interested in pursuing a law degree will need a bachelor’s degree, strong scores on the LSAT, strong letters of recommendation from professors and employers and a strong personal statement explaining your interest in pursuing a degree in law.

Success factors

Reading, writing, and the ability to research are three critically important skills students who study law will need in order to be successful.

Career possibilities

According to US News and World Report, “A lawyer, at the most basic level, advises and represents individuals, businesses and government agencies in criminal or civil legal matters. Lawyers may work privately for big firms or small practices, or they may work publicly for the government. In the public sector, lawyers can find jobs as district attorneys or public defenders, or they could even work for the federal government. In the private sector, many lawyers seek jobs at big firms, where they’ll usually choose an area of specialty such as environmental law or tax, divorce or data privacy. And although the profession can involve a lot of time in a courthouse, it doesn’t always. Lawyers also spend a lot of time conducting meticulous research, analyzing prior cases, soliciting testimonies from witnesses and drawing up legal documents.”

“With the help of amazing instructors at Hesston College, I was pushed in the right direction toward success for my future career. I discovered my passion for equality and justice through my classes at Hesston.”
— Savannah Sizer, class of 2015 pre-law student at Flagler College (St. Augustine, Fla.)

Majoring in pre-law

Hesston College offers an Associate of Arts Degree (A.A.) for students interested in pursuing a four-year transfer degree, and students may choose a variety of different majors of study. There is no standard set of required courses for students interested in pursuing a career in law. Most important is the ability of the student to think well, speak well, write well, and research well. Hesston College will provide courses to help students improve all those skills. These courses will serve as the foundational courses in a variety of majors to help prepare you for further study at a four year institution and at law school.

As a student interested in pre-law, you may choose a wide variety of majors to help prepare you. You should choose a major that interests and challenges you. As part of our General Education curriculum, you will take Speech, College Writing I and College Writing II along with courses in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Some additional courses which could assist you in preparing for law school include courses in literature, history, government, economics, and sociology. Students should follow the plan of study of their major of interest.