Department of History

The Department of History introduces students to the richness and complexity of the human experience through a curriculum that covers all major geographic areas and time periods, and emphasizes both the unity of that experience and the diversity resulting from such factors as cultural, social, and gender differences. We seek to develop not only a knowledge of the past, but also an appreciation of history as an intellectual discipline that employs a wide variety of scholarly methodologies in its effort to understand that past. Students are taught to think and work as historians: to read critically and analytically both primary and secondary sources, to appreciate the complexity of historical issues and multiplicity of historical views, and to investigate a historical question or problem and communicate the results of that investigation. Through this broad preparation, history majors acquire essential knowledge and critical skills, which provide valuable assets for a wide spectrum of professions and occupations as well as the fundamental basis for advanced study. Program objectives for a B.A. in History are: (a) to have a fundamental knowledge of the past; (b) to have the ability to think historically: to comprehend continuity and change over time and to understand events and ideas in terms of the variety of contexts giving those events and ideas meaning and significance; (c) to possess the ability to locate appropriate primary and secondary sources, assess those sources in a critical and analytical way, and use them to construct a coherent historical argument; to express a high degree of satisfaction with the quality of the education received in that program.

All candidates for graduation at the University of Memphis are required to complete History 2010 or 2020.

History Major (B.A.)

A. University General Education Program (41 hours)

See Graduation from the University for the University General Education Program requirements.

B. College and Degree (B.A.) Requirements (18-19 hours)

The College and Bachelor of Arts requirements are in addition to the University General Education Program requirements.

C. The Major (33 hours)

Completion of 33 semester hours in history courses, including HIST 1110, 1120, 2010, 2020, and 21 additional upper division semester hours. Of the 21 upper division hours required for the major, a maximum of 12 may be taken in any one field (United States, Latin American, Ancient/Byzantine, European, Russian, Far Eastern, Middle Eastern, African).

D. Electives

Electives may be chosen to bring the total number of hours to 120.

E. Honors Program

History majors who have attained junior standing, successfully completed six semester hours of lower division history, and maintained a grade point average of at least 3.25 in overall studies and in history courses taken, are eligible for admission to the honors program in history. Students admitted to the program must take 18 hours of honors work, at least 12 of which must be taken in upper division history courses after admission to the departmental program. These 12 hours must include HIST 4003 or 4999 and 4996. Those who successfully complete the program and the regular B.A. requirements will have their degree conferred "With Honors in History." The student's diploma and the record at the University of Memphis will be similarly endorsed. A detailed description of the program, together with application forms for admission, may be obtained in the History Department office.

History Minor

Completion of 21 semester hours in history courses, including HIST 1110, 1120, 2010, 2020, and 9 additional upper division semester hours.

Typical 4-Year History Sequence

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Total Hours: 120

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120

*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement