Academic Staff

Chairperson: Prof. Mohamad Ali Kouzi

Assistant Prof: Dr Rama Draz

Mission

The Department of History seeks to interpret the past to understand the present, promote feelings of patriotism and introduce students to various events and developments, explaining these in contemporary terms.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the History Department include:

• Interpreting the Past to Understand the Present: Helping students analyze historical contexts, shifts, and patterns to better grasp contemporary societal developments and current international dynamics. 

• Fostering National Identity & Global Awareness: Cultivating feelings of patriotism and civic responsibility while introducing students to major global events that have shaped cross-cultural developments. 

• Preserving Cultural & Historical Heritage: Emphasizing research and academic dialogue around the safeguarding of cultural and natural heritage, with a particular focus on the historical narratives of Lebanon, Beirut, and the broader Ottoman and Arab modern histories. 

• Developing Rigorous Research Methodologies: Equipping undergraduate and graduate students (across Master’s and distinct PhD tracks) with critical thinking skills, manuscript recension techniques, and contemporary analytical frameworks needed for objective historical analysis. 

Learning Outcomes

The Department of History frames its curriculum around specific Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs). These outcomes ensure that by graduation, students have evolved from absorbing historical facts to actively analyzing them.

The program's learning outcomes are structured into four core areas:

1. Knowledge and Understanding

    Graduates should be able to:

    • Identify major historical eras, turning points, and civilizations (ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary).

    • Trace the political, economic, social, and cultural evolution of Lebanon, the Arab world, and global civilizations.

    • Understand core historical concepts, terminologies, and diverse historiographical schools of thought.

2. Intellectual Skills

   Graduates should be able to:

   • Critically analyze and compare conflicting historical narratives or primary sources.

   • Deconstruct historical events to differentiate between underlying causes, immediate triggers, and long-term consequences.

   • Formulate logical, evidence-based historical arguments rather than accepting claims at face value.

3. Professional and Practical Skills

    Graduates should be able to:

     • Apply proper research methodologies, including finding, organizing, and citing both archival materials and digital databases.

    • Handle and evaluate primary historical sources, documents, or manuscripts with an understanding of context and bias.

    • Structure and present comprehensive historical reports, research papers, and essays clearly.

4. General and Transferable Skills

   Graduates should be able to:

    • Communicate complex ideas effectively, both in writing and through oral presentations.

    • Utilize digital tools, databases, and e-learning resources for information retrieval and data management.

    • Work collaboratively in group research settings while maintaining independent critical judgment.

Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements: To earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History, students must complete 99 credit hours over typically 3 academic years. This includes 59 credits of Major Core courses, 11 credits of Departmental Electives, 12 credits of Faculty Electives, and 17 credits of General University Requirements, while maintaining a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

Career Opportunities

The career opportunities available to History graduates:

• Education & Academia: Teaching history and social studies in secondary schools, or pursuing postgraduate degrees for university-level instruction and academic research.

• Archives & Heritage Management: Working as curators, archivists, or consultants in museums, national libraries, and cultural centers to preserve artifacts and catalog historical manuscripts.

• Diplomacy & Public Sector: Serving in ministries of foreign affairs, embassies, or international organizations that require a deep understanding of historical conflicts and global relations.

• Media & Journalism: Working as political analysts, cultural journalists, editors, or content creators by leveraging strong investigative and long-form writing skills.

• Research & Think Tanks: Conducting qualitative socio-political research and drafting policy briefs for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), public institutions, and research centers.

Overview: 

Investigating the human past to better understand the complexities of the present, cultivating deep critical thinking, archival research skills, and historical analysis.

Focus Areas: 

Regional Middle Eastern History, Global & Modern History, Archival Science, Cultural Heritage, and Political Histories.

Career Paths: 

Archival & Museum Management, Document Digitization, Political Analysis, Research & Think Tanks, Heritage Preservation, and Policy Advising.

Call to Action: 

 View Degree Requirements  Contact Advisor

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