Robert L. Griswold, Chair
Terry Rugeley, Graduate Liaison
403-A Dale Hall Tower
Norman, OK 73019-2004
Phone: (405) 325-6002
FAX: (405) 325-4503
Internet: http://www.ou.edu/cas/history/
Professors G. Anderson, Bradford, Gilje, Griswold, Hart, Hurtado, Kidwell, J.S. Lewis, Norwood, Pisani, Rugely, Savage, Shalhope, Snell, Stillman; Associate Professors Holguin, Kamoche, Kelly, Keppel, Magnusson, Metcalf, Piker, Shepkaru, Stockdale; Assistant Professors Cane-Carrasco, Canoy, Faison, Schapkow, Songster, Wickersham; Professor Emeritus Levy.
Information on both undergraduate and graduate programs is included. However, the general information contained in this section mainly covers undergraduate study. Please refer to the Graduate College section of this catalog for general information on graduate programs.
The Department of History at the University of Oklahoma offers undergraduate and graduate students, and history majors in particular, a wide range of courses covering virtually every major epoch in history. The needs and interests of the students have been taken into account in an effort to create programs that are flexible and look to the students’ future careers. Considerable attention is given to advising students concerning the appropriate courses to be chosen for their majors and careers after graduation.
The type of history courses required of undergraduate majors has been determined according to two general assumptions: a history major, through lower-division historical surveys, should (1) receive a general coverage of knowledge about different areas of the world; and (2) obtain, through upper-division courses, more specialized knowledge about specific areas or eras of the world.
The career opportunities for undergraduate history majors are many and varied. A number of history majors find their training is ideally suited for a career in law. The history major may also plan a career in education, either in teaching or administration. In the past several decades, businesses have found graduates with liberal arts backgrounds to be prime candidates for executive training programs and, as a result, many history majors have developed rewarding business careers. The federal government also hires history majors for all facets of its operation. For example, the Foreign Service has utilized the skills of many with history backgrounds in the diplomatic corps. Also, the National Park Service, responding to the increased interest in historical preservation, needs graduates with degrees in history. History majors may find that opportunities await them in museum and archival work because Americans have become more interested in their past. Aside from the many career benefits, history majors will discover that their studies will give them the perspective to participate more fully in the world around them.
For a number of years, the Department of History has offered several undergraduate prizes carrying cash stipends to outstanding students, both history and non-history majors. Students are nominated for these awards by a History Department faculty member.
The Horace C. Peterson Memorial Scholarship Award is presented to the outstanding undergraduate student majoring in history, preferably to a person who intends to continue the study of history in graduate school.
The Donnell M. Owings Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students in American history. Professor Owings taught at OU from 1946 to 1966 and was recognized as a distinguished scholar in American genealogy and Colonial History.
The Alfred B. Sears Award for the outstanding student in British history, was awarded for the first time in 1979. Any student, major or nonmajor, undergraduate or graduate, who has taken a minimum of nine semester hours in courses designated as English history, is eligible for this award.
The William H. Maehl, Jr., Fellowship is awarded annually to the student who writes the outstanding senior thesis in a capstone course.
The History Department has graduate assistantships available each year.
Majors must complete 36 hours of major work in history including 1483 or 1493 and one course from three of the following groups:
1. Ancient/Medieval — 1113, 1613, 1913, 2013, 2023;
2. European — 1223, 1233, 1623;
3. Near/Far Eastern — 1723, 1733, 2013, 2683;
4. Latin American/African —1923, 2613, 2623, 2713.
The remaining 24 hours must be at the 2000-level or above and are to be distributed among three fields: United States; African/Asian/Latin American/ Russian/Near East; European. At least nine hours in one field and six in each of the other two fields must be completed. A senior seminar (4973) must be included in the 24 hours. Fifteen of the 24 hours must be completed at the 3000-level or above. One of these 3000-level courses must be a 3573, Colloquium. A 2000-level course that has been used to fulfill a survey requirement cannot be used toward the 24 elective hours.
Many pre-law students choose history for a major. Students pursuing the history major with a pre-law interest must fulfill all the normal requirements for the major, including at least 36 credit hours distributed among the American, European, and African/Asian/Latin American/Russian areas. Within the 36 credit hours, 3363 should be completed. For additional courses needed to complete the history major the department recommends the following: 2043, 3093, 3343, 3373, 3393, 3430, 3673, and at least one course from both the American and European fields to be chosen from 3120, 3213, 3223, 3463, 3473 and 3483.
The selection of a seminar (4973) to fulfill the senior seminar requirement should, where possible, reflect the pre-law interests of the student and should be made in consultation with the pre-law adviser. In recent semesters the department has offered seminars of interest to pre-law students on topics such as American environmental history, and modern American social problems.
Students majoring in history may also work for the standard secondary teaching certificate in social studies. For information consult an academic adviser in the College of Arts and Sciences office.
Students majoring in other subjects may elect to minor in history. The requirements are at least 15 hours of history courses acceptable for major credit including at least nine hours numbered 3000 and above.
The department’s greatest strengths are in the history of the American West and Native American history. The department also offers advanced degrees in American history, European history, Latin American history, Far Eastern history, African history, ancient history and Jewish history.
Applicants for the M.A. and Ph.D. programs must submit official transcripts of all previous academic work with their applications to the Office of Admissions, and must submit three letters of recommendation, scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), a statement of purpose, and a writing sample to the department. Ph.D. applicants are expected to hold the M.A. degree. Detailed information on programs is available from the graduate liaison, Department of History.
The department offers two options leading to the Master of Arts degree: thesis and nonthesis. The thesis program requires a minimum of 30 hours, including two graduate seminars, HIST 5054, and a thesis. The nonthesis program requires at least 34 hours; two graduate seminars, HIST 5054, and passing a comprehensive examination. Work in cognate fields must be approved by the student’s adviser. Detailed information may be obtained from the graduate liaison of the department.
Work leading to the Ph.D. degree is offered in certain fields. Detailed information may be obtained from the graduate liaison of the department.
In addition to fulfilling the special requirements for the master’s degree, the doctoral candidate must complete at least four seminars, HIST 5054, and prepare for examinations over three fields of history. Reading proficiency in one foreign language is required of all doctoral candidates.