Department of History

Dr. Michael Smith, Department Head

Purpose

The Department of History offers curricula in history and liberal studies and provides courses in history for general education requirements of other University curricula. Students majoring in history may select social studies education grades 6-12 as a concentration. Students that choose liberal studies must select an area of concentration in geography, humanities, philosophy, pre-law, religious studies, theatre arts, or women and gender studies.

Objectives

The objectives of the department are:

1. To offer to students an opportunity to broaden their knowledge of the past and their understanding of the present;
2. To provide a liberal education leading to the Bachelor of Arts in history for students who major in history;
3. To provide a minor in history for students who major in another curriculum;
4. To provide in-depth coursework leading to the Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies degree for students who choose one of the academic disciplines or content areas of concentration offered;
5. To provide teacher education preparation leading to certification in social studies education grades 6-12; and
6. To prepare exceptionally able students for graduate study.

Graduation Requirements

A student in the Department of History must meet all graduation requirements listed in the Degree and Graduation Requirements  section of the Academic Regulations page. Students must also earn a grade of C or better in certain courses as stated in the Notes at the bottom of each program. A student concentrating in social studies education grades 6-12 must also meet all requirements for admission and progression through the teacher education program, student teaching, and graduation as stated on the Burton College of Education  page.

In selecting courses to serve as free electives, students majoring in history or liberal studies may apply up to eight (8) semester hours of credit earned in HHP activity courses toward the degree requirements of these curricula.

Minor

The Department of History offers a minor in history for students wishing to supplement a degree other than the Bachelor of Arts in history or the Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies.

Programs

• History, General History Concentration, BA
• History, Social Studies Education Grades 6-12 Concentration, BA
• Liberal Studies, Geography Concentration, BA
• Liberal Studies, Humanities Concentration, BA
• Liberal Studies, Philosophy Concentration, BA
• Liberal Studies, Pre-Law Concentration, BA
• Liberal Studies, Religious Studies Concentration, BA
• Liberal Studies, Theatre Arts Concentration, BA
• Liberal Studies, Women and Gender Studies Concentration, BA

• History, Minor