Purpose Statement
The Department of History and Politics majors are designed to develop student scholarship in the study of history and political science, to nurture historical and political awareness, and to enhance critical and analytical skills. Graduates are prepared for a variety of careers where strong research, organization, and writing skills are needed, as well as for graduate and professional programs in history, political science, and law. The program also prepares graduates for careers in secondary education with a specialization in social studies. Majors at McPherson have the advantage of the college’s central Kansas location, with research access to local, state, and federal libraries and archives. The department serves this purpose for students at McPherson College by
- providing wide access to available formal courses in the disciplines of history and politics;
- offering opportunities for independent research and reading in the relevant fields;
- encouraging students to study further in related graduate and professional programs;
- supporting and encouraging students with interests in careers related to the disciplines to pursue such careers;
- meeting State Department of Education standards for certification in the area of social studies (applies to candidates for teacher certification only)
Course Content
General Education – “History: Students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the historical method.” — College Catalog. Courses fulfilling the history general education requirement are either 100 – or 200 – level classes. They are designed to emphasize how historic events shape people’s lives, as well as how historic events are interpreted in different ways.
100 level – No prior college experience required, no prior history coursework required. Designed to provide the most direct supervision of students. Includes emphasis on introductory terms and concepts. Student work emphasizes recall and use of material delivered in the course and completion of more directly prescribed assignments.
200 level – Suitable for students with no prior history coursework, students should have prior college experience. Students develop skill locating, interpreting and applying resources beyond those specifically provided by the instructor. Increased emphasis on both written and oral presentation consistent with the standards of the discipline. Higher expectations for engagement of students in classroom. Students expected to apply course content to subject areas beyond those directly delivered in the course.
300 level – Designed for students at the sophomore level or higher with previous college history coursework. Students develop skill in independently locating, interpreting and applying resources. Increased emphasis on both written and oral presentation consistent with the standards of the discipline, including a minimum 10 page written research paper and formal oral presentation. High expectations for engagement of students in classroom.
400 level – Intended for advanced students conducting largely independent research and project development. Students will locate resources, conduct research and implement curriculum of their own design, with faculty consultation and supervision.
Methodology Core Courses
All of the Majors in the department share a three-course methodology sequence.
G-HI130 Introductory Methods for Historical Analysis (see course descriptions following this section) – This course introduces the core questions, resources, and methods of inquiry used by historians. This 100 level course should be taken as soon as possible; ideally during the first year of study at McPherson. Students transferring to McPherson should take care that they schedule this course as early as possible. Successful completion of G-HI130 is a prerequisite for enrollment in the second methodology core course, G-HI410
G-HI410 Historiography (see course descriptions following this section) – In this course students will further develop research techniques and prepare a historiography – a survey of how historians have approached a specific historical question. Successful completion of HI410 is a prerequisite for enrolling in HI 475 or PS 475 Senior Thesis.
HI 475 or PS 475 Senior Thesis (see course descriptions following this section) – In this capstone course students will apply the lessons of earlier content and methods courses. Working with one-on-one supervision the student will prepare their own original research project.
Bachelor of Arts in History
Goals: To prepare graduates for careers and post graduate education in history, museum studies, law, archival work, and related fields.
Objectives:
- Students should be able to demonstrate field specific methodology in written and oral course work.
- Students should be able to discuss major problems in history drawing upon substantive knowledge in a field.
- Students should be able to analyze and critique theoretical frameworks for understanding historical continuity and change in human communities.
- Students should be able to assess and utilize materials in the media and popular culture as historians in the course of their daily lives.
Core Courses (18 hours)
G-SO 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 hours)
G-HI 101 Historical Introduction to Politics (3 hours)
G-HI 130 Introductory Methods for Historical Analysis (3 hours)
EC 202 Survey of Economics (3 hours) or EC 201 Elementary Economics: Macro (3 hours)
HI 410 Historiography (3 hours)
*HI 475 Senior Thesis (3 hours)
Foundations (6 hours – pick two classes)
G-HI 110 World Civilization to 1500 (3 hours)
G-HI 120 World Civilization since 1500 (3 hours)
G-HI 140 American History to 1877 (3 hours)
G-HI 150 American History since 1877 (3 hours)
Required supporting courses (6 hours)
G-ML 108 Level I Spanish (3 hours)
G-ML 109 Level II Spanish (3 hours)
Or two semesters in an equivalent foreign language program.
Complete 6 hours in each of the following subfields for a total of 18 hours. At least 6 of these hours must be at the 300 level.
Social History (6 hours)
G-HI 205 Social History of the Automobile (3 hours)
G-HI 236 Topics in Social History (3 hours)
*G-HI 333 Technology and Society (3 hours)
G-HI 261 Kansas History (3 hours)
Political History (6 hours)
G-HI 220 Modern Europe (3 hours)
G-HI 237 Topics in Political History (3 hours)
HI 301 Advanced Historical Topics (3 hours)
HI/PS 356 American Diplomacy (3 hours)
Cross-disciplinary History (6 hours)
G-PR 101 God and People in Ancient Israel: Hebrew Bible Foundations (3 hours)
G-PR 202 Christian Traditions (3 hours)
HI 245 History of Automotive Design (3 hours)
*G-MA 290 History of Mathematics (3 hours)
G-PR 306 World Religions (3 hours)
*G-AR 310 Art History I (4 hours)
*G-AR 311 Art History II (4 hours)
G-MU 355 Music History and Literature I (3 hours)
G-MU 360 Music History and Literature II (3 hours)
G-TH 385 Theatre History and Dramatic Literature (3 hours)
Total: 48 hours
Bachelor of Arts in History for Teaching Licensure (6-12)
Goals: To prepare graduates for careers in teaching social studies in grades 6-12.
Required curriculum: History and Government 6-12
Endorsement Number: History & Government 71599
Requirements: A minimum of 9 hours in U.S. History; 9 hours in World History; 9 hours in Political Science; plus 15 hours of supporting course work for a total of 42 hours. In addition, the candidate for teaching licensure must complete the Teacher Education Professional Education Requirements.
U.S. History Courses (9 hours)
G-HI 140 American History to 1877 (3 hours)
G-HI 150 American History since 1877 (3 hours)
G-HI 261 Kansas History (3 hours)
World History Courses (9 hours)
G-HI 110 World Civilization to 1500 (3 hours)
G-HI 120 World Civilization since 1500 (3 hours)
G-HI 101 Historical Introduction to Politics (3 hours)
Government Courses (9 hours)
G-PS 102 United States Government (3 hours)
G-PS 130 Principles of Geography (3 hours)
PS 356 American Diplomacy or *G-PS 215 Global Peace Studies
Social Studies Certification Requirements (15 hours)
G-SO 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 hours)
G-HI 130 Introductory Methods for Historical Analysis (3 hours)
EC 201 Elementary Economics-Macro (3 hours) or EC 202 Survey of Economics (3 hours)
HI 410 Historiography (3 hours)
*HI/PS 475 Senior Thesis (3 hours)
Other courses required by Curriculum and Instruction Department for licensure.
Bachelors of Science in Politics and History
Goals: To prepare graduates for careers and post graduate education in politics, government, law, library science and related fields.
Objectives:
Students should be able to demonstrate field specific methodology in written and oral course work.
Students should be able to discuss major problems in history drawing upon substantive knowledge in a field.
Students should be able to analyze current political problems and issues. Students should be able to assess and utilize materials in the media and popular culture as historians in the course of their daily lives.
G-HI 101 Historical Introduction to Politics (3 hours)
G-PS 102 United States Government (3 hours)
G-HI 130 Introductory Methods for Historical Analysis (3 hours)
G-PS 130 Principles of Geography (3 hours)
G-HI 120 World Civilization since 1500 (3 hours)
G-HI 150 American History since 1877 (3 hours)
G-SO 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 hours)
G-PS 125 International Relations and Globalization (3 hours) or *G-PS 215 Global Peace Studies (3 hours)
EC 201 Elementary Economics: Macro (3 hours) or EC 202 Survey of Economics (3 hours)
G-MA 221 Elementary Applied Statistics (4 hours)
PS 356 American Diplomacy (3 hours)
+ One additional History or Politics course at the 300 level or above (3 hours)
HI 410 Historiography (3 hours)
*HI 475 Senior Thesis (3 hours)
Total: 43 hours
History Minor
A minor in history consists of 18 hours of history courses chosen from the list of courses in the history department with an ‘HI’ prefix; at least two courses counting toward the history minor must be for upper level (300 and above) credit.