Effective with the Fall 2013 semester, there are revised requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences. All students who enroll for the first time in Fall 2013 must fulfill those requirements. Students who enrolled for the first time prior to that time may choose to switch to the 2013 catalog if they prefer the requirements; however, they will then need to use the 2013 catalog for everything — overall degree requirements, general education requirements, major/minor requirements.

A convenient checklist of the revised requirements for the B.A. in history is available online. (It is adapted specifically for history majors from the more general list of requirements for the B.A. in the College of Arts and Sciences to omit requirements that do not apply to majors in the humanities.)

The Bachelor of Arts program in history seeks to develop a rich knowledge and understanding of the past and the fundamental skills of historical research, critical analysis, and written presentation. History majors take surveys of World Civilization and U.S. History in the freshman and sophomore years, and then choose from over eighty upper-level courses covering all periods from antiquity to the present, most geographic regions, and a variety of important themes.

The program prepares students not only for responsible, informed living in our complex global society, but also for many vocations. History majors pursue productive careers in teaching at the secondary and college levels, law, clergy, museum and historical conservation work, librarianship, government service, journalism, and business. Many recent majors have gone on to advanced study in universities throughout this country and abroad.

The department provides undergraduates with many special opportunities. The honors program offers qualified students a course of study with a strong research component and an opportunity to work closely with a faculty member throughout the junior and senior years. Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honorary, sponsors monthly lunch meetings that explore fascinating topical issues and promote informal discussion. Several departmental scholarships and awards are offered each year to qualified students, and the Major L. Wilson Undergraduate Paper Prize is awarded to the undergraduate who writes the best paper for a course in history.

The department offers most of its classes on the campus of The University of Memphis, but there are other venues as well. You may take classes through the Online Bachelor of Arts in History program or through the Regents Online Degree Programs. There are also opportunities to study outside the country through the Study Abroad program.

The Department of History seeks to assure that each student receives individual, personal attention. Each new major is assigned to an academic advisor. This advisor aids in planning an academic program tailored to his or her specific needs, interests, and goals, and continues to work closely with each major until graduation.

Dr Walter R. Brown is the Undergraduate Coordinator. For any matters relating to the undergraduate program in History, send e-mail to wrbrown@memphis.edu, telephone 901.678.3393, send a fax to 901.678.2720, or visit his office in 201-B Mitchell.