Bachelor of Arts in History
Program Description
The History program is centered on developing each student’s understanding of the recurring patterns in our nation’s history and culture and of other past and present societies. The study of history is one of the oldest courses of study among the world’s institutions of higher learning. It remains recognized as one of the primary pillars of a liberal arts education.
Students earning a degree in History have a foundation in the liberal arts through content courses in History and other Social Sciences and are able to relate lessons and achievements from the past to the challenges of the present. History students enhance their intellectual maturation through the development of their thinking, speaking, research, and writing. A major emphasis of the History program is the sharpening of each student’s ability to analyze critically and make sound judgments concerning the past as a prelude to the future.
The skills and material presented to students of the History program are essential to any number of modern careers. Among these job-attracting skills are critical reading skills, analytic and problem-solving skills, writing skills, oral communication and listening skills, research skills, information management, and task organization skills—all talents in demand in the modern world of work. Most notably, these skills come to bear when addressing the needs of our students who plan to attend law school. History graduates are also prepared for employment in a wide variety of jobs and professions where these skills are sought after by employers. A partial list includes such occupations as archivist, curator, journalist, librarian, public relations, sports analyst, stock analyst, political and union organizer, tourism manager, grant writer, foreign service staff, insurance agent and adjuster, marketing, the military, and law enforcement officer.
Student Learning Outcomes
While discussing the need for the teaching of history, the respected historian David McCullough once noted that “Amnesia of society is just as detrimental as amnesia for the individual.” Hence, the objective of the History program is to provide all students with a broad-based study of mankind’s past and skills, including critical thinking, research, and writing, which will be vital for success in a student’s future career and role as a contributing citizen.
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts in History, students demonstrate
- professional competence and the ability to recognize those beliefs which are essential to and necessary for the advancement of human life;
- critical thinking and writing skills;
- knowledge and appreciation of the political, historical, social, economic, and broad cultural experiences of peoples from early times to the modern era;
- the ability to engage successfully in historical research; and
- recall of important historical facts and the ability to read, understand, and critique historical works.
Degree Requirements
The degree of Bachelor of Arts in History is conferred upon students who complete the approved program of study with a Grade Point Average of at least 2.0 in all 120 semester hours of the curriculum, at least 2.0 in all core and General Education requirements, and at least 2.5 in all course work pertaining to the major course of study. History majors must complete a course of study that includes a minimum of 36 hours of courses in History, of which 24 must be 325-level or higher; a minimum grade of C must be earned in all courses pertaining to the major course of study. Note: MAT 100A and MAT 100B classes are not acceptable as electives.
Core and General Education Requirements
Biology
BIO 101
| General Biology | 3 |
BIO 291
| | |
English
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 102 | English Composition II | 3 |
Elective
| Literature | 3 |
Fine Arts
History
| HIS 101 | History of Western Civilization I | 3 |
| And | |
| HIS 102 | History of Western Civilization II | 3 |
Mathematics
Natural Science
Elective
| BIO/ESC/CHE/MAT/PHY | 4 |
Philosophy
| PHI 101 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| PHI 207 | Introduction to Logic & Critical Thinking | 3 |
Political Science
Speech
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
Political Science or History
Elective
| Political Science or History | 3 |
Elective
| Theology Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 54 |
Major Requirements
Computer Info Systems
English
Elective
| Literature Elective | 3 |
Foreign Language
101
| Elementary French Latin Spanish I | 3 |
| And | |
102
| Elementary French Latin Spanish II | 3 |
Geography
| GEO 201 | World Geography | 3 |
| GEO 202 | Geography of the United States & Canada | 3 |
History
| HIS 201 | History of the United States I | 3 |
| And | |
| HIS 202 | History of the United States II | 3 |
| | |
| HIS 301 | Louisiana History | 3 |
| | |
| HIS 442 | History of Contemporary America from 1945 to the Present | 3 |
| Or | |
HIS 485
| Contemporary Europe: Europe since World War II | 3 |
| | |
450
| Louisiana Heritage Research in Louisiana History | 3 |
History
| Electives | 15 |
History Electives: History electives at or above 325 level
Political Science or History
Elective
| Courses above the 300 Level | 6 |
Free Electives
| Electives | 12 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 66 |
Total Credit Hours: 120