History

The discipline of history represents a dialogue between the past and the present. Through the study and interpretation of the past the historian attempts to reconstruct and represent the course of human developments, thereby shedding light on current concerns. The student of history learns to look for information, interpret its meaning, and through a careful consideration of the sources, reach thoughtful and informed decisions.

Major in history (liberal arts specialization): 30 semester hours, including HIST 131-132, 9 hours of 200-level courses of which 3 must be either 233 or 234, 9 hours of 300-level courses, and 475 (Fall) and 478 (Spring) taken sequentially in the same academic year, usually the senior year.
Supporting courses for history (liberal arts specialization): (Select option A or B).
A. Four semester (usually 12 hours) of a modern or classical language, demonstrated competency, or a minimum of 11 weeks in an accredited study abroad program; 12 hours in disciplines other than history on topics related to the student’s major emphasis (at least 6 hours must be upper division).
OR
B. A second major.

Major in history (pre-law specialization): 30 semester hours, including HIST131-132, 9 hours of 200-level courses of which 3 must be either 233 or 234, 9 hours of 300-level courses, and 475 (Fall) and 478 (Spring) taken sequentially in the same academic year, usually the senior year.
Supporting courses for history (pre-law specialization): 24 semester hours, including 6 hours upper division political science, 6 hours upper division English or philosophy, and 12 hours of economics or four semesters (usually 12 hours) of a modern or classical language.

Minor in history: 18 semester hours to be chosen in consultation with the advisor (at least 9 hours must be upper division).

Professional education: See Education for specific certification requirements.

Honors Program Participants: History Honors students must meet the same requirements as those listed for non-honors students, with the exception that 6 hours must have History Honors designations. HON designated history courses usually include 3 hours Independent Studies and a regular upper division course with an honors contract agreement.

HISTORY

HIST 131. North American History I (3:3:0)
This course is an integrated survey of continental North American –United States, Mexico, and Canada- history from pre-Columbian times to the 1870s. It is designed to help students understand North American social, political, economic, and cultural developments within continental and international contexts. (Elements of U. S. history covered in standard history surveys will be included.) (Special sections of HIST 131 may also be offered as GEOG 232.)

HIST 132. North American History II (3:3:0)
This course is an integrated survey of continental North American –United States, Mexico, and Canada- history from the 1870s to the present. It is designed to help students understand North American social, political, economic, and cultural developments within continental and international contexts. (Elements of U. S. history covered in standard history surveys will be included.)

HIST 233. World Cultures (3:3:0)
This course is designed to engage the student in studying major social, political, cultural and economic processes at work in representative world cultures and the relationship with their environment from antiquity to the sixteenth century. Prerequisite: HIST 131, HIST 132, or GEOG 232 and sophomore standing. (Also offered as GEOG 231.)

HIST 234. History of the Modern World (3:3:0)
This course is designed to engage the student in studying major social, political, cultural and economic processes that shaped the world from the sixteenth century to the present. Prerequisite: HIST 131, HIST 132, or GEOG 232 and sophomore standing.

HIST 237. The Mexican American Experience (3:3:0)
An examination of Mexican American experiences, tracing North American roots, incorporation, and cultural formation within the context of differing interpretations of North American history. Prerequisite: HIST 131 or HIST 132 and sophomore standing. (Also offered as MAS 237.)

HIST 270. Texas and the Borderlands (3:3:0)
An examination from pre-Columbian times to the present of the social, cultural, economic, political, and environmental forces that connect Texas and its neighboring regions in the U. S. and Mexico. (Elements of Texas history considered essential in traditional courses will be included.) Prerequisite HIST 131 or HIST 132 and sophomore standing. (Also offered as GEOG 332.)

HIST 271. The African American Experience (3:3:0)
An examination of African American experiences, tracing historical roots, national participation, and cultural formation within the context of differing interpretations of the history of the Americas. Prerequisite: HIST 131 or HIST 132 and sophomore standing.

HIST 272. Women, Sexuality, and Gender in North American History (3:3:0)
An examination of the role of gender in North American history emphasizing themes of male and female relations, feminism, the social construction of gender, women and diversity, sexuality, and women in both private and public spheres. Prerequisites: HIST131 or HIST 132 and sophomore standing.

HIST 380. Patterns (3:3:0)
A course in this category provides an exploration of social, political, cultural, or economic patterns in specific world regions or historical periods. The course may focus on the key patterns of one group over time or of different nations during a specific period. For example, a course could cover selected imperial patterns from the Sumerians to the British. May be repeated for credit when topics change. Prerequisite: Junior standing and three hours of 200-level history or instructor’s permission. (Also offered as GEOG 380.)

HIST 381. Frontiers (3:3:0)
A course in this category provides an exploration of frontiers -from geographic to virtual- in varying world regions and historical periods. The emphasis will be on comparable experiences in different geographic regions, but may also focus on one specific area. For example, a course could cover nineteenth century cultural frontiers in Canada, Russia, southern Africa, and the U. S. May be repeated for credit when topics change. Prerequisite: Junior standing and three hours of 200-level history or instructor’s permission.

HIST 382. Migrations (3:3:0)
A course in this category provides an exploration of human migrations -forced and voluntary- within, between, and among varying world regions over time or during specific historical periods. For example, a course could cover Spanish, African, Irish, and Chinese migrations to the Americas. May be repeated for credit when topics change. Prerequisite: Junior standing and three hours of 200-level history or instructor’s permission.

HIST 383. Communities (3:3:0)
A course in this category provides an exploration of how humans define and organize their communities in specific world regions and historical periods. Course may focus on gender, race, ethnicity, and class as well as other historically important markers. For example, a course could explore how specific cultural groups in North America, Western Europe, and Southeast Asia have redefined themselves in the period from the Industrial Revolution to the present. May be repeated for credit when topics change. Prerequisite: Junior standing and three hours of 200-level history or instructor’s permission.

HIST 384. Regions and Regional Dynamics (3:3:0)
A course in this category covers the history of specific world regions. For example, a traditional History of China course could be offered. May be repeated for credit when topics change. Prerequisite: Junior standing and three hours of 200-level history or instructor’s permission.

HIST 385. International Interactions (3:3:0)
A course in this category provides an exploration of global contacts, connections and interactions during different historical periods. The focus could be on diplomatic history, economic exchange, or other forms of international interaction. For example, a course on U. S. diplomacy with the Middle East could be offered. May be repeated for credit when topics change. Prerequisite: Junior standing and three hours of 200-level history or instructor’s permission.

HIST 386. Readings in History and Other Disciplines (3:3:0)
A course in this category provides an exploration of how writers from a variety of academic and national backgrounds have looked at historical events, the process of making sense of what has occurred, and the steps involved in sharing with a larger public. For example, a course could cover nineteenth century Latin America with readings from biologists, geographers, diplomats, and general travelers. May be repeated for credit when topics change. Prerequisite: Junior standing and three hours of 200-level history or instructor’s permission.

HIST 410, 420, 430. Independent Study (X:X:X)
HIST 439. History Internship (3:X:X)
Internships are available in museums, historical associations, state historic sites, offices, and archives. They are designed to give students experience in a public agency setting under close supervision. Prerequisite: department approval.

HIST 475. The Historian’s Craft: Historical Methods (3:3:0)
Offered every fall, this course is designed to encourage critical thinking about the possibilities of historical knowledge as well as changing methodologies of research, analysis and interpretation. It also deals with crucial issues facing the senior history student in her or his choice of a career in history, discusses professional ethics and introduces the most important tools of research. History majors will take this course as a part of a two-semester sequence. Prerequisite: HIST 131-132; 233-234; at least 6 hours of 300-level history and junior standing.

HIST 478. Research Seminar (3:3:0)
Offered every spring, this course is designed to give advanced history students experience in research and public presentation of research results. Topics change annually according to instructor and student interest. Students are expected to take HIST 475 in the semester immediately preceding HIST 478. Prerequisite: HIST 131-132; 233-234; 475, at least 6 hours of 300-level history and junior standing.

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