History
As part of the Department of History, the program in History is comprised of a community of professors and scholars united by a common commitment to enhance knowledge and understanding of the human past. In doing so, they value both the diversity and commonality of human experience. They are also united in their desire to equip students with both an appreciation for and a critical appraisal of lives, institutions, and past events. They see these endeavors as an essential part of the mission of any university, and the University of Saint Mary in particular.
The program in history is designed to empower students to:
- Understand change and continuity in the histories of different regions, societies, and time periods, as well as for the differences and similarities among those histories over time, appreciating the importance of historical context.
- Use essential analytical and research skills of interpreting and critiquing primary and secondary sources to understand, identify, and evaluate historical events, developments, movements, and trends.
- Be able to construct arguments based on historical evidence and to understand the study of historical methods and approaches used to create distinct argumentative perspectives.
- Recognize and understand human societies from different perspectives, developing comprehensive and diverse views of human nature, while incorporating reflections of themselves within the wider world.
Major in History
To complete the 33-credit hour major, students will complete the core courses and 15 credits that are numbered 300-level and above. For the capstone class, students will complete HI 569.
Teacher Licensure
Students who plan to become secondary teachers (grades 6-12) should consult the Education section of the catalog and speak with an advisor from teacher education early in their programs. Education programs may include specific content and supporting courses not required of all content majors due to licensure and accreditation requirements. Students must earn a "C" or higher in all content and education coursework.
History Courses
All students majoring in history will complete six credits of core courses, nine additional credits in upper-level elective courses (those numbered 300 and above) and must complete at least two courses from each of the concentrations of "The Americas" and "The World." Remaining history electives will be required to reach the 33-credit minimum to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. Additionally, students must earn a grade of “C-” or higher in all courses that count toward a history major or history minor.