Geography, History and Religious Studies - University of Eastern Africa, Baraton

Philosophy

1. History Programme

As a study of events which actually took place, history continues to tell and remind us of its truism and indispensability. The study of history helps us understand how our ancestors have progressed, to appreciate the achievements and contribution of previous generations, to respect previous generations, to respect historical facts and to evince historical thinking and historical truth. In itself history contains the deeds of God towards man; it tells how and why God created man and the universe as well as the nature of man and his activities. Both the philosophy of history and history of philosophy maintain that the course of history from time immemorial has been determined by God and God's law. The ebb, trend and flow of historical knowledge and events of the past represent familiar struggle between forces of good and those of evil. Consequently, history as a branch of knowledge or study is concerned with the realities of the visible world and the nature of man. Not only is history the most comprehensive horizon of man, but it is also one of those disciplines in which the integration of faith and learning quintessentially takes place.

Geography, Environmental and Development Studies Programmes

The study of Geography and environment reveals imposing power and knowledge of God as the Creator of the Physical Universe. The knowledge of Geography itself, which encompasses a wide range of environmental studies, positively reinforces one's faith in God and his mighty work. Yet, venturing into the development studies demonstrates one's subscription to the fact that humankind is only a steward of the earth's resource base and resources; that the said resource base and resources are fragile, scarce and finite and that skills are needed for their proper development, management and equitable utilization if all in society are to prosper and harmoniously coexist in the long term.

Mission

The mission of this department is to develop a deeper and holistic understanding of the human race, their institutions, activities and achievements as well as that of God Himself as the creator and supreme ruler of the universe.

Vision

The Department envisages producing competent, exemplary, hardworking, dependable and God fearing scholars and workers capable of diligently serving wherever deployed the world over.

Objectives

History Programme

The Bachelor of Arts in History Programme courses are thematically organized to serve the following specific objectives:

1. To enable the students understand and explain the nature of human race in general through the knowledge of the past:

2. To create awareness which will enable students to appreciate the importance of their heritage and that that heritage indicates past and present changes and adaptation.

3. To enable students to appreciate the value of historical ideas, facts and knowledge, historical thought, current histography and trends in historical development.

4. To provide students with intellectual tools to help him or her think critically, creatively and imaginatively about critical questions and contemporary issues.

5. To acquaint students with purpose, goals, methods and techniques of historical research.

6.To prepare students to be able to teach history more effectively in secondary schools and teachers colleges.

7. To prepare students for post graduate studies and advanced research in the field of history and other social sciences discipline.

8. To prepare students who can competently serve and bring innovation, new ideas and moral leadership to their communities.

Geography, Environment and Development Studies

The Geography, Environment and Development academic programmes are organized under a number of themes meant, in combination and/or severally, to endow the student with critical knowledge on the global view of an organized earth, its resource opportunities and challenges. The student is also expected to learn how to optimize the management and utility of the opportunities and mitigate challenges and arising issues for the good of mankind. The specific objectives of the Geography, Environment and Development Studies Programmes are:

1. To impart geographical, environmental and Development studies knowledge and skill in interpreting spatial phenomena in order to enhance spiritual development of and reinforce the students' faith in God as the creator, his wonderful creation and human stewardship of the world.

2. To develop students' ability to locate and appraise the availability, quality and quantity and use of natural resources in an environment and to provide a sound explanation for the rational utilization, management and sustainability.

3. To develop and promote students' mental and intellectual capacity to explain and justify the human- environment relationships, and demonstrate this through Christian life practices for community and society's well being and progress.

4. To develop in students the needed cartographic skills in map making, reading, analysis and interpretation.

5. To enable students to identify geographical, environmental and socioeconomic problems and issues of society and independently carry out studies on such issues.

6. Develop students' ability to compare and contrast physical and human characteristics of the world in order to appreciate the nature and independence of the world peoples, their social organizations, economic activities and their impact on the environment.

7. To prepare students for Postgraduate studies and advanced Research in geography, environmental and development studies.

8. To prepare students for careers in teaching in secondary schools and middle level colleges as well as physical and land use Planning, demography, meteorology, climatology, environmental resource management and development sectors.

9. To build students' capacity for adequate and efficient design, implementation and management of development projects in culturally diverse environments.

10. To inculcate appropriate skills and attitude for running of community based projects in a partnership basis between government, non governmental agencies and citizenry.

11. To impart to the students the principles and practice of job creation and productivity enhancement.

Programs

1. BA -Bachelor of arts - in history

2. BA/BSc - Bachelor of Arts/Science - in geography

3. BA - Bachelor of arts - in development studies

4. Minor in history

5. Minor in geography

6. Minor in Environmental Studies

7. Minor in Development Studies

8. Minor in Political Science

General Information

A major in any of the programmes may be taken with a minor in any of the disciplines taught at UEAB, selected in consultation with the major advisor in or Chairperson of the Department and according to the future aspirations of the student. This is particularly advisable for those wishing to pursue a career in secondary school teaching.

Note: In this case, the student must have taken both subjects of study at high school level.

Courses in the department are specifically designed with a view to providing men and women with knowledge considered essential in various employments or careers. History as a discipline of study, prepares students for careers in teaching history, government service, positions with local and national archives, museums, research, law, print and electronic media journalism, private and public sectors, NGOs, politics, and creative writing and secondary schools teaching among other careers.Studies in Geography and Environment prepare students for careers in physical and land use planning, demography, meteorology, climatology, environmental and resource management, the military, Civil Service, NGOs, foreign missions, GIS experts as well as teachers in secondary etc.Development Studies Programme prepares students to be facilitators of development projects besides serving as experts in the various aspects of the development process.

Study Details

Students wishing to pursue studies leading to a Bachelors degree in History and Geography must have a minimum grade of a C+ or better in respective subjects at the KCSE, or its equivalent. In the event of a lower grade than a C+, a student is expected to have bridged to the same level or obtained an equivalent or better grade at pre-university level. Admission into the Development Studies programme requires that a candidate meets the basic requirements of any of the degree program offered at UEAB. Students wishing to take Geography and Environmental Studies are expected to have passed Geography, Maths and/ or other science subjects at their KCSE levels. Otherwise they are advised to take remedial Mathematics courses, such as MATH 107.

Course Duration

The programmes leading to BA in History, BA/BSc in Geography BA in Development Studies are designed in such a way as to enable the candidate to complete a baccalaureate degree within four years; that is to say, a bachelor's degree consisting of a major and minor area of study or just a major area (if the student so opts with the advise and concurrence of the major advisor and Chair of the Department).

Graduation Requirements

1. A minimum of 130-147 credits

2. An overall, cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better.

3. A GPA of 2.25 is required for the major area

Please Note:

A student taking Geography or History as a major is advised, with consultation of the major advisor and/ or Chairperson of the Department, to take an appropriate minor.