Jimmy D. Case College of Literature, Arts, & Social Sciences | College of Humanities & Sciences

DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL & SOCIAL SCIENCES

Jimmy D. Case College of Literature, Arts, & Social Sciences | College of Humanities & Sciences

DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL & SOCIAL SCIENCES

HISTORY

A degree in History from Sul Ross teaches critical thinking, problem-solving, research, and effective oral, verbal, and written communication skills. Using academic research, education, and outreach, historians help preserve the past to remind us how we got to where we are today and to enhance our understanding of the world around us. Students choose from a variety of subjects to study such as culture, race, identity, gender and sexuality, labor and class, environmentalism, health and medicine, science and technology, migration and immigration, borderland studies, military history, geography, economics, comparative World histories, and much more. Through coursework and research, students gain an understanding of diverse cultures as well as how issues change over time and separate or unify societies. They also learn how to preserve and interpret history in the 21st century.

The Bachelor of Arts in History can be used as the basis for a teaching certification in history, a means for entering graduate studies in the field of history, or a pre-professional degree to enter studies in law, medicine, and many other professions.

Students at SRSU can also pursue a minor in History. A minor in History requires students to complete 18 semester credit hours of history courses, including six semester credit hours of advanced coursework.

Teacher certification in History is also available.


SRSU offers a Master of Arts degree in History, which offers education beyond formal classroom learning. Students on the way to becoming professional historians are encouraged to join and engage in professional organizations and present their research within and outside of the department. Graduate students have the option to either pursue a thesis or non-thesis option upon completion of their MA. Teaching assistantships are available for graduate students.

Catalog Links:

Careers in History

  • Analysts
  • Attorneys
  • Archivists
  • Business Management
  • Cartographers
  • Education
  • Finance
  • Government/Public Administration
  • Journalists
  • Law Enforcement
  • Military
  • Museum Studies & Management
  • National Park Service Rangers
  • Non-Profit Organizations
  • Publishing

SRSU History students gain worldwide knowledge by taking courses US, European, and world history, ranging from ancient Babylonia and Egypt to post-modern foodways, to ensure exposure to diverse topics, cultures, and ideas in an increasingly interconnected global society.

Outside of the classroom, SRSU History students have other opportunities to enhance their education and skills as well as to contribute to the historical profession. A few examples are listed below.

The Sul Ross History program has a tradition of researching and addressing Trans-Pecos/Big Bend and cross-cultural issues in Mexico. The Center for Big Bend Studies and the Museum of the Big Bend are closely associated with the Department and provide students with the opportunity for archaeological and historical research within these topics.

Students can earn three semester credit hours by engaging in educational opportunities through international travel.

History faculty sponsor a university chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honor Society. Students are also encouraged to join other professional historical societies, such as the American Historical Association (AHA), the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA), the Organization of American Historians (OHA), and others.