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ApplyBA in History | BA - Major in Social Science Composite (History Emphasis) | BS in History | Minor in History | Course Descriptions
Chair: Brian Domitrovic (936) 294-1474
Faculty: Nancy Baker, Rosanne Barker, Terry Bilhartz, Ty Cashion, Thomas Cox, Jeff Crane, George Diaz, Brian Domitrovic, Charles Heath, Ken Hendrickson, Jeff Littlejohn, David Mayes, James Olson, Andrew Orr, Nicholas Pappas, Katherine Pierce, Wesley Phelps, Bernadette Pruitt, Stephen Rapp, Tracy Steele
Information: (936) 294-1475; AB 4 Room 441; history@shsu.edu
Website: www.shsu.edu/~his_www/
Knowledge of history is a key to the future. History is the foundation of virtually all academic disciplines in that intellectual progress is based on a critique of traditional assumptions, dogmas, and paradigms. In a series of writing-intensive courses in the department's curriculum, students develop analytical, verbal, and cultural skills that can be applied in a variety of professional settings.
Mission
The Department of History will prepare students to analyze major historical events, evaluate changes in values and institutions over time, assess complex forces at work in the past and today, and learn how, in written and oral expression, to explain these events, changes, and forces. In doing so, the department will prepare students for any career requiring critical and analytical skills. The Department of History considers itself a vehicle—through teaching, research and service—for presenting and gaining perspective on the values of the past and for conveying those values and perspectives to future generations.
Academic Programs
- BA in History
- BA - Major in Social Science Composite (History Emphasis)
- BS in History
- Teacher Certification
Highlights
With more than 4,000 students, the History Department is one of the largest and fastest growing departments on campus. Its enrollments have increased by 50% in recent years. SHSU’s History Department faculty demonstrates high standards of quality in its teaching and research. Four members of the department have won SHSU’s Excellence in Teaching Award, two have won the Minnie Stevens Piper Award and another won the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Texas Professor of the Year Award. Nine members have received more than $2.6 million in federal grants to train Texas high school teachers in Traditional American History. Faculty in this department also have published, or signed contracts for the publication of, more than 50 scholarly books.
Suggested Minors
History majors can minor in a wide variety of disciplines, including English, Political Science, Criminal Justice, General Business, Economics, Computing Science, Psychology, Math, Speech Communication, Journalism, Sociology, Geography, Radio/Television, Dance, Theater, Health, Kinesiology, Agriculture, Industrial Technology, Photography and Spanish.
Career Opportunities
History students enhance their critical abilities by examining original texts, acquiring research skills, learning to write, and analyzing social, political, economic, and cultural changes over time. This develops talents that serve well in any employment setting. Although most history students pursue careers in teaching, museum studies, and records management, they can also be found working successfully in medicine, the law, governmental service and business.
Student Organizations and Activities
The History Department sponsors Phi Alpha Theta, a national history honor society, and the Webb Society, a student service club. Webb Society students engage in a wide variety of fun and educational activities, including the Sam Houston Folk Life Festival, the Renaissance Festival, history conferences, and numerous historical re-enactments.
Internships and Study Abroad
History majors interested in museum careers have the opportunity of completing a museum internship as part of their undergraduate curriculum. In recent years interns have served at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, the Star of the Republic Museum at Washington-on-the-Brazos, the Contemporary Art Museum of Houston, the Texas Prison Museum, and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York among others.
SHSU History faculty have offered classes in England, China, Russia and Greece. The department also sponsors field classes all over the western United States. Check with the department for availability.
Scholarships
A variety of University and departmental scholarships are available. Since all history department scholarships are arranged by faculty nomination, students do not apply for them directly. For information on University scholarships, please, visit Office of Academic Scholarships or telephone (936) 294-1672.
Program Specific Requirements
History majors pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree are required to take four semesters of a single foreign language. The languages offered at Sam Houston State University are French, German, and Spanish. However, any language can be accepted in transfer.
Curriculum
Required History Courses for Majors
The Bachelor of Arts degree requires 36 semester credit hours in History, including HIST 1301; HIST 1302; HIST 2311; HIST 2312; HIST 3331, HIST 3332, HIST 3333, HIST 3336; HIST 3381, HIST 3389, HIST 3391, or HIST 4378; HIST 3369; HIST 3376, HIST 3377, HIST 3378, or HIST 3379; and HIST 3390. All History majors are required to complete at least one 4000-level history course. At least 12 hours of advanced history must be taken in residence.
Bachelor of Arts, Major in History
| Notes | ||
| *Satisfies major requirement and requirements in Component Area IV and V. | ||
| Bachelor of Arts - Major in History | ||
|---|---|---|
| SHSU Course Number | Hours | Recommended Sequence |
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | 1st year |
| Component Area II (Mathematics) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) | 8 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area V (Creative Arts) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VI (U.S. History) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) | 4 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| Foreign Language first two courses | 8 | Freshman |
| Foreign Language second two courses | 6 | Sophomore |
| Fine Arts Art, Dance, Theatre, Music, PHIL 3366 | 3 | |
| Major Core | ||
| HIST 1301* | 3 | |
| HIST 1302* | 3 | |
| HIST 2311* | 3 | |
| HIST 2312* | 3 | |
| HIST 3369 | 3 | |
| HIST 3376, HIST 3377, HIST 3378 or HIST 3379 | 3 | |
| HIST 3331, HIST 3332, HIST 3333, HIST 3336, HIST 3381, HIST 3389, HIST 3391, or HIST 4378 | 3 | |
| HIST 3390 | 3 | |
| Major | ||
| History Electives (one course at 4000 level) | 24 | |
| Minor (required) | 18 | |
| Electives | 7 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Social Science Composite History Emphasis
| Notes | ||
| Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement. All students must complete at least 120 hours to graduate. | ||
| *Student may use courses to satisfy major and Component Area IV and V. | ||
| Bachelor of Arts - Major in Social Science Composite History Emphasis | ||
|---|---|---|
| SHSU Course Number | Hours | Recommended Sequence |
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | 1st year |
| Component Area II (Mathematics) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) | 8 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area V (Creative Arts) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VI (U.S. History) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) | 4 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| Foreign language | 14 | |
| PHIL 3366 | 3 | |
| GEOG 1321, GEOG 2355, GEOG 2356, GEOG 3359, and GEOG 4358 | 15 | |
| SOCI 1301 | 3 | |
| ECON 2301 | 3 | |
| POLS 3378 | 3 | |
| Major Core | ||
| HIST 1301* | 3 | |
| HIST 1302* | 3 | |
| HIST 2311* | 3 | |
| HIST 2312* | 3 | |
| HIST 3369 | 3 | |
| HIST 3376, HIST 3377, HIST 3378 or HIST 3379 | 3 | |
| HIST 3331, HIST 3332, HIST 3333, HIST 3336, HIST 3381, HIST 3389, HIST 3391, or HIST 4378 | 3 | |
| HIST 3390 | 3 | |
| Major | ||
| HIST Advanced (one course at 4000 level if not take in Major Core) |
12 | |
| Electives (with department approval) | 1 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Teacher Certification
Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree with teacher certification at the secondary level (grades 8-12) should use their 18 elective hours and an additional 9 hours to satisfy the required certification courses. The required education courses are listed below. With teacher certification, the BA degree total is 144 hours. Those students not seeking certification should use their electives to fulfill the University requirement for advanced hours.
CISE 3383, CISE 3394, CISE 4364, CISE 4380, CISE 4396, CISE 4397, READ XXXX, CISE 3374
For teacher certification, no grade below C in social science courses is accepted.
Bachelor of Science, Major in History
The Bachelor of Science degree requires 30 semester credit hours in History, including HIST 1301, HIST 1302, HIST 2311, HIST 2312, HIST 3369 and HIST 3373. History majors are required to complete at least one 4000-level history course. At least 12 hours of advanced history must be taken in residence.
| Notes | ||
| Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement. All students must complete at least 120 hours to graduate. | ||
| Bachelor of Science - Major in History | ||
|---|---|---|
| SHSU Course Number | Hours | Recommended Sequence |
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | 1st year |
| Component Area II (Mathematics) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) | 8 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area V (Creative Arts) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VI (U.S. History) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) | 4 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| CHEM 1411 | 4 | |
| CHEM 1412 | 4 | |
| PHYS 1301 and PHYS 1101 | 4 | |
| PHYS 1302 and PHYS 1102 | 4 | |
| CHEM 2323 and CHEM 2123 | 4 | |
| CHEM 2325 and CHEM 2125 | 4 | |
| BIOL 2440 | 4 | Junior |
| CHEM 3438 | 4 | Junior |
| 2 from BIOL 3420, BIOL 3440, BIOL 3450, BIOL 3470, BIOL 3490 | 8 | Junior |
| Major Core | ||
| HIST 1301 | 3 | |
| HIST 1302 | 3 | |
| HIST 2311 | 3 | |
| HIST 2312 | 3 | |
| Major (one course at the 4000 level) | 18 | |
| Minor (not required) | ||
| Electives | 7 | Advanced General |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Minor in History
Minor in History (without Teacher Certification)
A minor in history requires 21 semester credit hours, including HIST 1301, HIST 1302, HIST 2311, HIST 2312, and nine hours of upper-level history electives. For history courses, no grade below C is accepted.
Minor in History (with Teacher Certification)
A history minor with teacher certification requires 27 semester credit hours, including HIST 1301, HIST 1302, HIST 2311, HIST 2312, HIST 3369, HIST 3398, HIST 3376 or HIST 3377 or HIST 3378 or HIST 3379), (HIST 3331 or HIST 3332 or HIST 3333 or HIST 3336 or HIST 3381 or HIST 3389 or HIST 3391 or HIST 4378 or HIST 4395), and three hours of any upper-level history elective. For history courses, no grade below C is accepted.
