Major in History | Social Science Composite with History Emphasis | Teacher Certification | Minor in History
Course Descriptions
Chair: Terry
D. Bilhartz (936) 294-1483
Faculty: Rosanne
Barker, Robert Bruce, Ty
Cashion, Thomas Cox, Caroline
Castillo- Crimm, Brian Domitrovic,
Yvonne Frear, Ken
Hendrickson, Jeff Littlejohn,
David Mayes, James
Olson, Nicholas Pappas,
Bernadette Pruitt, Joseph
Rowe, Robert Shadle, Tracy
Steele
Information: (936)394-1483; 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 because
intellectual progress is based on a critique of traditional assumptions,
dogmas, and paradigms. In a series of writing-intensive courses,
students develop analytical, verbal, and cultural skills that can
be applied to 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
those changes. 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 critiquing the values of the
past and for conveying those values and critiques to future generations.
Academic Programs
• BA in History
• Teacher Certification
Highlights
With more than 3,700 students, the History Department
is one of the largest and fasting growing departments on campus.
Its enrollments have increased by 50% in just three years. SHSU’s
History faculty is nationally renowned for the quality of its teaching
and research. Since 2001, three members of the department have won
SHSU Excellence in Teaching Award, the prestigious Minnie Stevens
Piper Award and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
Texas Professor of the Year Award, and nine members have received
more than $2.6 million in federal grants to train Texas high school
teachers in Traditional American History. During this period, faculty
members within the 18 member department also have published or signed
contracts for the publication of more than 30 scholarly books.
Suggested Minors
Last year about one hundred SHSU students graduated
with a History minor. These students majored 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
change over time, talents that will serve them 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, government 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 Festival,
the Renaissance Festival, Encuentro, and numerous historical re-enactments.
Internships and Study Abroad Because the Sam Houston Memorial Museum
is part of Sam Houston State University, history majors interested
in museum careers have the opportunity of completing a museum internship
as part of their undergraduate curriculum. On special occasions
SHSU History faculty offer classes abroad. In recent years Dr. Rosanne
Barker has offered summer classes in England, Dr. Tracy Steele in
China, and Dr. Nicholas Pappas in Russia and Greece. Check with
the department on courses being offered abroad.
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.
Information on University scholarships may be obtained from the
Office of Academic Scholarships website at www.shsu.edu/~sfa_www/scholarship.html
or telephone (936) 294-1672. Program Specific Requirements History
majors 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 of coursework,
including HIS 163, 164, 265, 266, and 369. All History majors are
required to complete at least one 400-level history course. At least
12 hours of advanced history must be taken in residence.
Major In History
Bachelor of Arts
First Year |
Credit |
Second Year |
Credit |
HIS 163, 164 |
6 |
HIS 265, 266 |
6 |
ENG 164, 165 |
6 |
Component Area 4 (Literature) |
3 |
MTH (164 or approved substitute) |
3 |
Component Area 6 (Computer Literacy) |
3 |
Component Area 3 (Natural Science, from two departments) |
8 |
POL 261, POL (200 - Level) |
6 |
Foreign Language 141, 142 |
8 |
Foreign Language 263, 264 |
6 |
KIN 215 |
1 |
PHL 261 |
3 |
|
32 |
Minor |
3 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
|
Third Year |
Credit |
Fourth Year |
Credit |
HIS 369 and HIS 398 |
6 |
ART, DNC, MUS, THR or PHL 366 |
3 |
HIS 376, 377, 378 or 379 |
3 |
HIS (Advanced) |
6 |
HIS (Advanced) |
6 |
HIS (400-level) |
3 |
Component Area 4 (Visual & Performing Arts)
|
3 |
Minor |
9 |
Minor (Advanced) |
6 |
Advanced Electives |
12 |
ENG (200 level or higher) or SCM |
3 |
|
33 |
Elective |
6 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
Social Science Composite
History Emphasis
Secondary Teaching Certificate
Bachelor of Arts
First Year |
Credit |
Second Year |
Credit |
HIS 163, 164 |
6 |
HIS 265, 266 |
6 |
ENG 164, 165 |
6 |
GEO 161, 265 |
6 |
MTH 164 (or approved substitute) |
3 |
Component Area 4 (Literature) |
3 |
Component Area 3 (Natural Science, from two departments) |
8 |
POL (200-level) POL 261 |
6 |
Foreign Language 141, 142 |
8 |
Foreign Language 263, 264 |
6 |
KIN 215 |
1 |
Component Area 6 (Computer Literacy) |
3 |
|
32 |
|
30 |
|
|
|
|
Third Year |
Credit |
Fourth Year |
Credit |
GEO 266, 369, 471 |
9 |
POL 378 |
3 |
SOC 261 |
3 |
PHL 366 |
3 |
ECO 234 |
3 |
HIS 400 - level |
3 |
Component Area 4 (Visual & Performing Arts) |
3 |
HIS 300 - or 400 - level |
9 |
HIS 369, 398 |
6 |
HIS 331, 332, 333, 336, 381, 389,
391 or 478 |
3 |
HIS 376, 377, 378 or 379 |
3 |
Advanced Electives* |
15 |
SCM 161 or 384 |
3 |
|
36 |
|
30 |
|
|
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 134 hours. Those students
not seeking certification should use their electives to fulfill
the University requirement for advanced hours.
SED 383, 394, 464, 480, 496, 497, RDG 392, SED 374
For teacher certification, no grade below C in social science
courses is accepted.
Minor in History
Minor in History (without Teacher Certification)
A minor in history requires 21 semester credit hours, including
163, 164, 265, 266, 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 HIS 163, 164, 265, 266, 369,398, (376 or
377 or 378 or 379), (331 or 332 or 333 or 336 or 381 or 389 or 391
or 478 or 495), and three hours of any upper-level history elective.
For history courses, no grade below C is accepted.
Course Descriptions:
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