The Social Sciences department offers a major program in history. In addition, the department offers courses in geography, history, sociology, and political science, and a pre-law program with guaranteed outcomes for qualified students. Further information about the pre-law program can be found in the Special Programs section of the Stillman College Catalog.  Courses in geography provide necessary knowledge and meet requirements in history and certification requirements for secondary social sciences teacher certification. 

Department members are student-centered with a zeal for academic success. The faculty serves as mentors and advisors to students as they advance. Graduates with a major in history will have a variety of career options. Many history graduates will opt for either graduate school or law school. Many will become teachers at the public school level or in higher education. Others may follow a career in some form of public service in both public and private institutions. 

Organizations within the Department

The Stillman Historical Association began in 2003 as an organization to promote the study of history and the history major at Stillman College. It is open to all students. It sponsors numerous activities throughout the school year, including the viewing of historical tv shows, historical movie nights, guest speakers, conferences, trips to museums and other educational exhibits, and foreign travel.

The Stillman Pre-Law Club was founded by the department of Social Sciences to assist those students of all majors interested in continuing on to law school. The club provides trips to regional law schools, aids with the application process, sponsors guest speakers from the educational and legal communities, and helps prepare students to cope with the rigorous academic requirements that are expected.

Faculty

Dr. Linda Beito is a tenured/associate professor, Chair-Department of Social Sciences, Pre-Law Advisor, and Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences at Stillman College. Dr. Beito has called Stillman College home since 1999.  She received her Ph.D. from the University of Alabama (1996) in Political Science and holds a Masters degree in Criminal Justice.  Dr. Beito has an active publication record with 13 articles in refereed journals and two books.  Her latest book (co-authored by Dr. David Beito)  “Black Maverick:  T.R.M. Howard’s Fight for Civil Rights and Economic Power” was published in 2009 by the University of Illinois Press.

Dr. Thomas S. Jennings is originally from Rochester, Minnesota. He graduated from The University of Alabama with his Ph.D. in 2004. He has been at Stillman for 6 years. He teaches classes in history and has been in higher education for 17 years.

Dr. Marcus Jones, after secondary school, studied in Tanzania, Senegal and Mexico. He earned his Ph.D. in geography from Southern Illinois University.  Jones was a Fulbright Fellow at the American University in Cairo, Egypt, during the fall of 1995.  He also received a certificate in African American studies from the University of Ghana. He teaches courses in geography, humanities and history. He has a rich background in higher education that spans 41 years.

Dr. Larry Kreiser is originally from Cleveland, Ohio.  His Ph.D is in American history from the University of Alabama.  He has taught survey and upper-level courses in American history and world history during his six years at Stillman.

Dr. James Lockett attended Morehouse College, Atlanta University Case/Western, Reserve University, and Clark Atlanta University. He is professor of history at Stillman College.