Bachelor of Science, Major in History

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

The Bachelor of Science in History degree prepares students to analyze and interpret historical events; to evaluate change over time; and to assess the complex forces at work in the past. The degree prepares students for any career requiring critical and analytical skills, but it is most beneficial for students who wish to pursue medical professions after their graduation. The Bachelor of Science in History degree requires 30 semester credit hours in history, including:  HIST 1301, HIST 1302, HIST 2311 HIST 2312, three advanced hours in American history, three advanced hours in European history, and three advanced hours in World History.  All history majors are required to complete at least one 4000-level history course.  At least 12 advanced hours must be taken in residence.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit. 

Bachelor of Science, Major in History
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) 28
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) 33
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (U.S. History) 46
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences)3
Component Area IX (Component Area Option)4
Degree Specific Requirements
BIOL 1406General Biology I4
BIOL 1407General Biology II4
CHEM 1411General Chemistry I 24
CHEM 1412General Chemistry II 24
CHEM 2323
CHEM 2123
Organic Chemistry I: Lecture
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
4
CHEM 2325
CHEM 2125
Organic Chemistry II: Lecture
and Organic Chemistry II: Lab
4
CHEM 3438Biochemistry I (Junior)4
PHYS 1301
PHYS 1101
General Phy-Mechanics & Heat
and General Physics Laboratory I
4
PHYS 1302
PHYS 1102
Gen Phy-Snd,Lght, Elec, & Mag
and General Physics Laboratory II
4
Select two of the following:8
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
General Physiology
Introductory Genetics
General Microbiology
Histology
Major: Foundation
HIST 1301United States History to 1876 43
HIST 1302United States History Sn 1876 43
HIST 2311World History to 1500 33
HIST 2312World History since 1500 33
American History Courses - Select one of the following: 53
Black Civil Rights Movement
History of American Slavery
Era of Amer Revoltn 1763-1789
The History of the West
Eco His: Ind Rev To Present
Mexican Americans Since 1848
Urban and Suburban History
The U. S. & the Vietnam War
US Religious History to 1865
US Religious History from 1865
Early America to 1783
America in Midpassge 1783-1877
Emergence Mod Amerca 1877-1945
Recent America, 1945 to Presnt
The American Civil War
Immigration Ethnicity Amer His
American Women's History
American Diplomatic History
Military & War In America
Native American History
African-American History
America in the 1960s
American Environmental History
The American South
Texas & the Southwest
European History - select one of the following: 53
Mod France: From Rev To Presnt
Renaissance Europe
Germany & Cen Europe Sn 1815
The Bible & Reform in Europe
Eco His: Ind Rev To Present
French Revol & Napoleonic Wars
Black Europe, 1500 to present
Austria-Hungary and its Legacy
Early Modern France, 1453-1789
World War I (1914-1918)
Germany at War and Peace
Britain to 1714
Modern Britain 1714-Present
Russian History
Modern European Military Hist
Eur-Age Absoltsm/Rev:1648-1815
European History 1815 1914
Ancient History
Medieval History
Topc in Hist of Sci & Medicine
British Empire & Commonwealth
World War II
World History - select one of the following: 53
The Historian's Craft
Mesoamerican History
African Civilizations to 1800
History of East Africa
War & Revolution in China
Contemporary Latin America
Modern China and Japan
Modern Asian History
Religion in World History
Middle East Since 1700
Black Europe, 1500 to present
Early Christianities
Silk Roads to Atlantic World
The Middle East, 500 - 1700
The World In The 20Th Century
Topc in Hist of Sci & Medicine
World War II
Africa - Past & Present
Colonial Latin America
Modern Mexico
Major: Prescribed Electives
Additional Advanced Hours in History (one course at the 4000 level if not already taken from above categories in History Major)15
Electives: General
General Electives6
Minor: Not Required 6,7
Total Hours120
1

MATH 1314 or MATH 1410 is recommended.

2

CHEM 1411 and CHEM 1412 will satisfy the requirements in the Degree Specific Requirements and Component Area III (Life and Physical Science).

3

HIST 2311, and HIST 2312 are used to satisfy the Core Curriculum requirements, additional hours will be needed to satisfy the minimum total semester credit hours of 120.

4

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History). 

5

Pre-Modern History Requirement:  Among the 3000-level courses a student takes in American, European, and World History one course must have a primary focus on content in pre-modern history (content dating to before 1600); this can overlap with other requirements.  Please, see the list below of courses that fulfill the Pre-Modern History requirement. 

6

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so additional semester credits hours may be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. 

7

All minors can be paired with this degree program.

Pre-Modern History Courses 5
HIST 3310Mesoamerican History3
HIST 3311African Civilizations to 18003
HIST 3334Renaissance Europe3
HIST 3337The Bible & Reform in Europe3
HIST 3350Early Christianities3
HIST 3352The Roman Empire to Byzantium3
HIST 3358Silk Roads to Atlantic World3
HIST 3362The Middle East, 500 - 17003
HIST 3363Britain to 17143
HIST 3370Ancient History3
HIST 3371Medieval History3
HIST 3373Topc in Hist of Sci & Medicine3
HIST 3376Early America to 17833
HIST 3391Colonial Latin America3
HIST 3392Native American History3

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

Students should use Elective and/or Minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement. All students must complete at least 120 hours to graduate. 

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit. 

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area II13Component Area VIII3
Component Area V3Component Area IX1
BIOL 14064BIOL 14074
ENGL 130123ENGL 130223
HIST 130133HIST 130233
 16 14
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IV 43CHEM 141254
CHEM 141154HIST 231243
HIST 231143HIST Advanced Electives6
POLS 230563POLS 230663
 13 16
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IX3CHEM 2325
CHEM 2125
4
CHEM 2323
CHEM 2123
4HIST European History Course8, 93
HIST American History Course7, 83HIST 4000-level Elective3
PHYS 1301
PHYS 1101
4PHYS 1302
PHYS 1102
4
 14 14
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Advanced Electives3BIOL 3420, 3420, 3440, 3450, 3470, or 34904
BIOL 3420, 3440, 3450, 3470, or 34904CHEM 34384
HIST Advanced Electives6HIST 33293
HIST World History Course8, 103General Electives6
 16 17
Total Hours: 120
1

MATH 1314 or MATH 1410 is recommended. 

2

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communication).

3

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History). 

4

CHEM 1411 and CHEM 1412 will satisfy the requirements in the Degree Specific Requirements and Component Area III (Life and Physical Science).

5

HIST 2311, and HIST 2312 are used to satisfy the Core Curriculum requirements, additional hours will be needed to satisfy the minimum total semester credit hours of 120.

6

Satisfies both the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) and the Major.

7

See, American History Courses table below (select one). 

8

Pre-Modern History Requirement:  Among the 3000-level courses a student takes in American, European, and World History one course must have a primary focus on content in pre-modern history (content dating to before 1600); this can overlap with other requirements.  Please, see the list below of courses that fulfill the Pre-Modern History requirement. 

9

See, European History Courses table below (select one).

10

See, World History Courses table below (select one). 

American History Courses 7
Select one of the following:
Black Civil Rights Movement
History of American Slavery
Era of Amer Revoltn 1763-1789
The History of the West
Eco His: Ind Rev To Present
Mexican Americans Since 1848
Urban and Suburban History
The U. S. & the Vietnam War
US Religious History to 1865
US Religious History from 1865
Early America to 1783
America in Midpassge 1783-1877
Emergence Mod Amerca 1877-1945
Recent America, 1945 to Presnt
The American Civil War
Immigration Ethnicity Amer His
American Women's History
American Diplomatic History
Military & War In America
Native American History
African-American History
America in the 1960s
American Environmental History
The American South
Texas & the Southwest
European History Courses 9
Select one of the following:
Mod France: From Rev To Presnt
Renaissance Europe
Germany & Cen Europe Sn 1815
The Bible & Reform in Europe
Eco His: Ind Rev To Present
French Revol & Napoleonic Wars
Black Europe, 1500 to present
Early Modern France, 1453-1789
Austria-Hungary and its Legacy
World War I (1914-1918)
Germany at War and Peace
Britain to 1714
Modern Britain 1714-Present
Russian History
Modern European Military Hist
Eur-Age Absoltsm/Rev:1648-1815
European History 1815 1914
Ancient History
Medieval History
Topc in Hist of Sci & Medicine
British Empire & Commonwealth
World War II
World History Courses 10
Select one of the following:
The Historian's Craft
Mesoamerican History
African Civilizations to 1800
History of East Africa
War & Revolution in China
Contemporary Latin America
Modern China and Japan
Modern Asian History
Religion in World History
Middle East Since 1700
Black Europe, 1500 to present
Early Christianities
Japan: The Age of the Samurai
Silk Roads to Atlantic World
The Middle East, 500 - 1700
The World In The 20Th Century
Topc in Hist of Sci & Medicine
World War II
Africa - Past & Present
Colonial Latin America
Modern Mexico
Pre-modern History 8
Select one of the following:
Mesoamerican History
African Civilizations to 1800
Renaissance Europe
The Bible & Reform in Europe
Early Christianities
The Roman Empire to Byzantium
Silk Roads to Atlantic World
The Middle East, 500 - 1700
Britain to 1714
Ancient History
Medieval History
Topc in Hist of Sci & Medicine
Early America to 1783
Colonial Latin America
Native American History

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so additional semester credits hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. 

All minors can be paired with this degree program.

Students should use Elective and/or Minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement. All students must complete at least 120 hours to graduate.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BS in History is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities while promoting civil discourse and civic participation.
  • Express ideas in written, oral, and visual communication.
  • Think critically and analytically.
  • Build an informed belief system by synthesizing knowledge and posing questions about different societies and cultures.