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Department: History
Department Chair: M. Clark-Wiltz
Department Members: E. Bakhtary, M. Clark-Wiltz, L. Hurtado, K. Streit
Major: History
Minor: History
The department of history provides the means in the liberal arts curriculum by which undergraduate students learn to better understand the present and prepare for the future by studying the past.
To fulfill this mission, the department provides its students with the main outlines of European, North American, and non-Western history; cultivates in them the skills required to analyze and interpret historical phenomena; shows them how to evaluate the writings of other historians; and instructs them in the techniques of historical research and writing. As a result of this training, students majoring in history will be able to conduct historical research, write about historical topics analytically, and apply an informed historical perspective to the world in which they live. They will specifically be prepared for graduate school, employment in historical organizations, a career in teaching, or entry into professions which utilize a historical point of view combined with research and writing skills.
All history majors and minors must earn at least a C- in each of the required history courses and must earn an overall C average in all history courses. A senior competency practicum (HIS 499) is required of all history majors and includes a written and an oral examination conducted by three history professors, unless the student requests one from a related field. A grade, representing an average of the two examinations, is entered on the student’s permanent record. The senior competency practicum (HIS 499) must be passed with a grade of C in order to satisfy graduation requirements.
History Major
Core Requirements
LA 102 The Past and Present: The World Since 1750
HIS 120 United States History to 1877
HIS 121 United States History since 1877
HIS 370 Historiography
HIS 499 Senior Competency Practicum
Professional Development Requirements
HIS 200 Public History
HIS 400 Senior Seminar (includes senior portfolio)
One course from each category, plus one additional course from any of these categories
(HIS 300 topics courses may substitute for any course in the appropriate category)
Category A
HIS 231 African American History
HIS 250 Indiana History
HIS 325 History of American Thought
HIS/WST 332 History of Women in the United States
HIS 335 United States History Since 1945
Category B
HIS 210 Introduction to Latin American History and Culture
HIS 214 The South Atlantic World, 1400-1824
HIS 230 History of Canada
HIS 310 Modern Latin America
Category C
HIS 348 Germany and Europe: 1848-1945
HIS 350 Europe Since 1945
HIS 356 Russian History
Category D
HIS 205 World History to 1750
HIS 340 Global Military History
HIS 361 East Asian History
HIS 365 History of the Middle East
Related Field Requirement
Twelve semester hours from related fields are to be selected in consultation with the student’s departmental advisor. (Note: the agreed list of courses must be submitted to the Academic Records Office, in writing, by the academic advisor). All related field requirements must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
History Minor
Required courses
LA 102 The Past and Present: The World Since 1750
HIS 120 United States History to 1877
HIS 121 United States History since 1877
Three courses, each from different categories
Category A
HIS 231 African American History
HIS 250 Indiana History
HIS 325 History of American Thought
HIS/WST 332 History of Women in the United States
HIS 335 United States History Since 1945
Category B
HIS 210 Introduction to Latin American History and Culture
HIS 214 The South Atlantic World, 1400-1824
HIS 230 History of Canada
HIS 310 Modern Latin America
Category C
HIS 348 Germany & Europe: 1848-1945
HIS 350 Europe Since 1945
HIS 356 Russian History
Category D
HIS 205 World History to 1750
HIS 340 Global Military History
HIS 361 East Asian History
HIS 365 History of the Middle East
American Studies Program
Department: History
Department Chair: M. Clark-Wiltz
Teaching Faculty: M. Clark-Wiltz, C. Crane, A. Fetter-Harrott, J. Jimerson, R. Smith
Minor: American Studies
American Studies rests upon the important assumptions that a culture should be investigated in its entirety and that a breadth of study leads to a depth of understanding. In keeping with these assumptions, American Studies at Franklin College is an interdisciplinary program. From a broad variety of disciplinary perspectives, the American Studies student will seek to understand the social, cultural, and intellectual forces which shape American culture.
The goals of the American studies program are:
- To give the student a better understanding of social forces that have influenced American culture
- To present in a logical, meaningful pattern those writings of importance that have shaped Americans and the America of today
- To foster and to cultivate the awareness of the rich heritage that is uniquely American\
- To stimulate a lively interest in and a sympathetic understanding of the development of the differing philosophies which have produced a variety of American thought
American Studies Minor
Department: History
Department Chair: M. Clark-Wiltz
Teaching Faculty: M. Clark-Wiltz, A. Fetter-Harrott, J. Jimerson, R. Smith
Minor: American Studies
American Studies rests upon the important assumptions that a culture should be investigated in its entirety and that a breadth of study leads to a depth of understanding. In keeping with these assumptions, American Studies at Franklin College is an interdisciplinary program. From a broad variety of disciplinary perspectives, the American Studies student will seek to understand the social, cultural, and intellectual forces which shape American culture.
The goals of the American studies program are:
- To give the student a better understanding of social forces that have influenced American culture;
- To present in a logical, meaningful pattern those writings of importance that have shaped Americans and the America of today;
- To foster and to cultivate the awareness of the rich heritage that is uniquely American;
- To stimulate a lively interest in and a sympathetic understanding of the development of the differing philosophies which have produced a variety of American thought;
All courses and prerequisites for courses taken to satisfy the American Studies minor must be completed with a grade of ‘C-’ or better. Student must have a minimum graduation GPA of 2.00 (A=4.00) in required minor courses. Students are strongly encouraged to take diversity and international exploratories that consider the place of the United States in an increasingly globalized world.
Required Courses
HIS 121 U.S. History Since 1877
HIS 325 History of American Thought
POL 110 American National Government
Two of the following courses – must have different prefixes
ENG 234 African American Literature
ENG 235 Native North American Literature
ENG 238 American Minority Literature
ENG 355 Early American Literature
ENG 359 Realist and Modernist American Literature
ENG 360 Contemporary American Literature
HIS 231 African American History
HIS 250 Indiana History
HIS/WST 332 History of Women in US
POL 225 State and Local Government
POL 234 American Political Participation
POL 410 American Constitutional Law I
POL 420 American Constitutional Law II
SOC/NPL 222 Social Problems & Nonprofit Responses
Individualized Majors in American Studies
In addition to the three required courses for the American Studies minor, students would need to include in the major a capstone academic experience, an internship, and additional courses approved by the director of the program so that the number of hours would total at least 33.
Complete course descriptions for each of these offerings may be found elsewhere in this catalog under the appropriate major headings.
Canadian Studies Program
Department: History
Minor: Canadian Studies
Canada is the United States’ most important trading partner. Despite the close and growing partnership between the two countries, Canada remains fundamentally different from the United States in terms of culture, society, and politics. Many of its political, social, and economic values and institutions reflect those of European countries and stand in contrast to those of the United States. Thus, the study of Canada enables students to gain a greater appreciation of the United States’ largest neighbor and exposes them to values and institutions widely shared among developed countries other than the United States.
The Canadian studies program is designed to develop in students an understanding of the history, society, political institutions, economy, and culture of Canada. The Canadian Studies curriculum places particular emphasis on examining the differences and similarities between Canada and the United States; Canadian-American relations; and the often conflict-ridden relationship between the largely French-speaking province of Quebec and the largely English-speaking rest of the country.
Students trained in Canadian Studies will be able to speak, write, and do research on issues related to Canada. In addition, they will possess knowledge and skills to enable them to function well in an environment requiring international awareness and understanding of cross-cultural exchange.
All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “D” or better. However, students minoring in Canadian Studies must maintain the minimum grade point average of 2.00 (A=4.00) in the minor field and must complete all course requirements for the academic minor with a grade of “C-” or better.
Canadian Studies Minor
(all instruction in English)
Required courses
CAN 130 Introduction to Canada
CAN/HIS 230 History of Canada
CAN/POL 355 Comparative Politics in Developed Countries
One of the following courses
CAN/ENG 235 Native North American Literature
CAN/FRE 340 Francophone Canadian Literature
Three additional hours earned through one of the following options
- The alternative literature course from above
- An immersive term dealing with a Canadian topic
- Participation in the Acadia exchange program
- SOC 221 Marriage and the Family
- An internship in Canada or at Canadian government offices
- Other appropriate class activities (such as CAN 300 Topics in Canadian Studies) as arranged with the Canadian Studies director.
Women’s Studies Program
Department: Sociology/History
Director: M. Clark-Wiltz
Women’s Studies Individualized Minor
Students can minor in Women’s Studies by proposing a personalized 15-credit hour plan. This plan includes WST 101 (required), Introduction to Women’s Studies, and courses and coursework in other disciplines that focus on issues of relevance to women’s studies (e.g., Women and Leadership, Women Photojournalists). Upon approval and completion of the proposed individualized plan, the minor appears on the student’s transcript.
A journalism major with an interest in women’s studies might propose the following:
WST 101 Introduction to Women’s Studies (4 hours)
WST/SOC 319 Gender and Sexualities (4 hours)
WST/MMJ 490 Independent Study/Advertising to the Woman (1 -2 hours)
PLUS: 5-6 hours in other Journalism courses where work focuses on women/gender
Revised 11-22-21