School of History, Philosophy & Political Science


Location: Ross Hall 3270	Telephone: 970.351.2905
Faculty: Mary Green Borg, M.A.; Joan L. Clinefelter, Ph.D.; Marshall S. Clough, Ph.D.; Matthew T. Downey, Ph.D.;Linda English, Ph.D.;Fritz Fischer, Ph.D.; Aaron Haberman, Ph.D.; Erin L. Jordan, Ph.D.; Brian Luskey, Ph.D.;Joan K. Pratt, Ph.D.; Barry Rothaus, Ph.D.;Nicholas Syrett, Ph.D.; William Virden, M.A..;Michael Welsh, Ph.D.

The discipline of history concerns itself with the record of the human past, thereby forming an indispensable background for all other areas of knowledge, whether in the humanities, social sciences or sciences.

It is the role of the History program at UNC to offer a series of courses that address the significant events in the human past for the purpose of liberally educating students from all areas of the University. The program has a second, but no less important, role in training teachers at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Scholarships

Master's degree candidates are encouraged to apply for the Oliver M. Dickerson stipend presently established at $1,000-$4,000 per academic year. Application should be made to the Coordinator of Graduate Studies, School of History, Philosophy & Political Science, UNC, Greeley, CO 80639.

Center of Excellence.

The University has designated the Department of History as a Center of Excellence. In 2002, the department was given a University award for "Departmental Excellence in Teaching."

History B.A.

Liberal Arts Emphasis

Historical study is concerned with the record of the human past and forms the indispensable background for all other areas of knowledge in the humanities, the social sciences and the sciences. A well-rounded curriculum of American and world history courses is provided in which students are encouraged to be critical and analytical in thought as well as to be incisive and cogent in their writing. The capstone of a student's study is a seminar during the senior year, which includes an extensive research paper as the central component.

Graduates with a bachelor's degree in history generally enter teaching or affiliated academic professions. They also go into law, government service or medicine, or occupy various positions in the business world; additionally, they are qualified to do graduate study in history.

Secondary Teaching Emphasis

This program fulfills an important role in training teachers at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition to its emphasis in content areas of history and social science, it participates in the UNC/partner school program and the student-teaching experience/placement for its students. Experienced history faculty are regularly assigned the responsibility of observing our student teachers in the field. The end result of a student's study is a senior seminar completed under the direction of a faculty advisor during the senior year in residence.

A graduate with a bachelor's degree in history and who receives endorsement in the social studies licensure area is qualified to teach in the secondary schools and to pursue graduate study in history. Additionally, with a major in history a student may seek licensure for middle school teaching.

History M.A.

The master's degree in history has been designed with several options in mind. It may be taken as a foundation for further advanced graduate work; as part of an individualized program that prepares students for a secondary teaching career; or as a terminal degree. Whichever option a student selects, faculty will stress the development of research techniques, analysis of historical data and expository writing skills.

Students receiving a master's degree in history will be competent in research methodology, writing skills and content in selected areas of history. Opportunities include advanced work in history, teaching at the secondary level (with licensure) or in junior and community colleges. Additionally, graduates may apply for professional schools, e.g., in law, library science, theology, museum curatorship and archival work.