History offers original and indispensable ways of looking at human experience because it distinguishes and evaluates continuity amid the forces of change. By means of historical inquiry, the modern world is seen as shaped by the past. History enriches the mind by enabling it to compare present and past events, ideas, and movements. As a humanistic discipline, history considers beliefs and values, individual personalities, religions, philosophies, literature, and the fine arts. As a social science, history endeavors to discern patterns over time by examining the development of groups and institutions, politics and economics, wars and the balance of power. History offers a public reservoir from which students can draw knowledge, wisdom, and personal strength.

As a discipline, history educates all students for citizenship and for a variety of careers. History majors and minors are prepared to pursue graduate and professional programs in history and related fields. In addition to teaching, they find careers in diverse areas that include law, public administration, library science, museum and historic site management, business, medicine, and the ministry.

The History Department offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in history and a history minor. It also offers the Bachelor of Science degree for social science teaching majors.  The B.A. in history requires completion of 36 hours in history and 12 hours in a foreign language (or demonstration of competence at the intermediate level through an appropriate language examination). The B.A. degree is recommended for students preparing for graduate study in history or for professional school. A minor in one of the humanities or social sciences is strongly recommended. The B.S. in history requires completion of 36 hours in history. A minor in one of the humanities or social sciences is also strongly recommended. The B.S. in history is recommended mostly for those not planning graduate study in history or in a professional program. The B.S. in social science teaching is offered to students preparing for teacher certification in middle and secondary schools; see the section in this bulletin “Social Science Secondary Education Major” for the requirements in this major.

In addition to the departmental degree requirements, a minimum of 50 hours in the University Core Curriculum must be met.

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Check Sheet prior to Fall 2012:

Check Sheet for Fall 2012 or later:

History Major

36 semester hours

Required courses ~ 15 hours

• Six hours selected from the 100-level classes:
  • HIST 101-The United States to 1865, 3 hrs.
  • HIST 102-The United States since 1865, 3 hrs.
  • HIST 111-World Civilizations I, 3 hrs.
  • HIST 112-World Civilizations II, 3 hrs.
  • HIST 130-Issues in American History, 3 hrs. (may be taken twice)
  • HIST 140-Issues in World History, 3 hrs. (may be taken twice)
• HIST 298-Historical Methods, 3 hrs.
• HIST 398-Readings in History, 3 hrs.
  

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• HIST 498-Senior Seminar in American History, 3 hrs. /OR/
  HIST 499-Senior Seminar in World History, 3 hrs.

Elective courses ~ 21 hours

History majors must select nine hours from one of the elective areas of history listed below and six hours from each of the other two areas.

• Elective Area I: United States History
• Elective Area II: European History
• Elective Area III: World Regions (African, Asian, Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Russian/Soviet History)
  
  HIST 398, HIST 498, and/or HIST 499 will be counted in the appropriate Elective Area if taken twice

 

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History Minor

24 semester hours

Required courses ~  12 hours

• Six hours selected from the 100-level classes:
  • HIST 101-The United States to 1865, 3 hrs.
  • HIST 102-The United States since 1865, 3 hrs.
  • HIST 130-Issues in American History, 3 hrs. (may be taken twice)
  • HIST 111-World Civilizations I, 3 hrs.
  • HIST 112-World Civilizations II, 3 hrs.
  • HIST 140-Issues in World History, 3 hrs. (may be taken twice)
• HIST 298-Historical Methods, 3 hrs.

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• HIST 398-Readings in History, 3 hrs. /OR/
  HIST 498-Senior Seminar in American History, 3 hrs. /OR/
  HIST499-Senior Seminar in World History, 3 hrs.

Elective courses ~ 12 hours

History minors must select a minimum of 12 hours from the elective areas of history listed below. Not more than six hours may be from any one area.

• Elective Area I: United States History,
• Elective Area II: European History,
• Elective Area III: African, Asian, Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Russian/Soviet History.
  HIST 398, HIST 498, and/or HIST 499 will be counted in the appropriate Elective Area if taken twice.

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History (Teacher Education)

Students who intend to teach history, government, economics, psychology or sociology at the secondary school (high school) level must declare a Social Science Secondary Education Major.

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Social Science Associate

The Social Science Associate degree program in social sciences is designed for students who anticipate the need for only two years of college education. Basically it reflects the training received in the first two years of a regular four-year program, and a student may, if he or she desires, continue on to a baccalaureate degree. At the same time a student with an associate degree will have the satisfaction of having recognition for his or her efforts, and will be able to produce a tangible certification for prospective employers.  This degree does not qualify the student to teach high school. Certification for high school teachers requires completion of the Social Science Secondary Education degree.