History Degree

This degree is offered as part of the core disciplines in a liberal arts education. Knowledge of the past challenges one to think beyond contemporary and often trendy fads, to ideas and issues which are timeless. Such knowledge urges the student to greater intellectual and spiritual maturity. History provides a solid foundation for graduate study in history as well as entry into such fields as teaching, ministry, law, journalism, medicine, and business, among others.

Requirements: 124 hours, with a C average (2.00 g.p.a.) overall and in each segment:

(1) Theological Studies Major, 30 hours:

• BIB 1100. Introduction to Biblical Studies, 2
• BIB 1250. Evangelism and Discipleship, 2
• BIB 1011, 1031, 2032, 2062. Bible Survey, 10
• IDS 1902, 3101, 4101. Christianity, Culture, and Worldview, 6 (for content purposes, these courses are shared with the A/S Core)
• PHL 3602. Christian Philosophy, 3 (for content purposes, this course is shared with the A/S core)
• THE 3101. Christian Doctrines, 3
• BIB elective, 4 (must be at the 4000 level)

(2) Arts and Sciences Core, 53 hours:

• BIO 1001, 1011. Systems in Biological Science and Lab, 4
• BUS 1150. Microcomputer Applications, 0
• ENG 1111, 1122. Grammar and Composition I, II, 6
• ENG 2111, 2122. Masterpieces of World Literature I, II, 6
• HIS 1011, 1022. History of Western Civilization I, II, 6
• IDS 1501. Leadership and Calling: Personal Development and Leadership Principles, 2
• IDS 2102. Foundations for Civic Engagement, 2
• LNG. International language, 12
• MAT 1101. College Algebra, 3
• MUS 1002. Music Introduction and Appreciation, 3
• PHE 2100. Lifetime Fitness and PHE activity elective, 3
• SPE 1000. Fundamentals of Speech, 3
• SSC 3101. Marriage and Family, 3

(3) History Major, 34 hours:

• HIS 2201. Introduction to the Study of History, 1
• HIS 2605. Non-Western Cultures and People, 3
• HIS 3204. Survey Church History, 3
• HIS 3404. The United States Founding Era, 3
• HIS 4305. Renaissance and Reformation, 3
• HIS 4807. Historiography, 3
• HIS electives, 18 hours (9 hours must be at the HIS 4000 level)

(4) Electives, 7 hours

Bachelor of Arts Degree: Major in History, American Studies Emphasis: This emphasis is offered for History B. A. students who want to specialize their historical education in American history. They will be required to meet all the same requirements as a traditional B. A., but they will use elective courses to focus their study. In addition to the requirements below, this degree requires the Theological Studies Major, Arts and Sciences Core, and Exercise Science Core as listed above.

Requirements: 124 hours, with a C average (2.00 g.p.a.) overall and in each segment:

(1) Theological Studies Major, 30 hours:

• BIB 1100. Introduction to Biblical Studies, 2
• BIB 1250. Evangelism and Discipleship, 2
• BIB 1011, 1031, 2032, 2062. Bible Survey, 10
• IDS 1902, 3101, 4101. Christianity, Culture, and Worldview, 6 (for content purposes, these courses are shared with the A/S Core)
• PHL 3602. Christian Philosophy, 3 (for content purposes, this course is shared with the A/S core)
• THE 3101. Christian Doctrines, 3
• BIB elective, 4 (must be at the 4000 level)

(2) Arts and Sciences Core, 53 hours:

• BIO 1001, 1011. Systems in Biological Science and Lab, 4
• BUS 1150. Microcomputer Applications, 0
• ENG 1111, 1122. Grammar and Composition I, II, 6
• ENG 2111, 2122. Masterpieces of World Literature I, II, 6
• HIS 1011, 1022. History of Western Civilization I, II, 6
• IDS 1501. Leadership and Calling: Personal Development and Leadership Principles, 2
• IDS 2102. Foundations for Civic Engagement, 2
• LNG. International language, 12
• MAT 1101. College Algebra, 3
• MUS 1002. Music Introduction and Appreciation, 3
• PHE 2100. Lifetime Fitness and PHE activity elective, 3
• SPE 1000. Fundamentals of Speech, 3
• SSC 3101. Marriage and Family, 3

(3) History Major Core, 19 hours:

• HIS 2201. Introduction to the Study of History, 1
• HIS 2605. Non-Western Cultures and People, 3
• HIS 3204. Survey Church History, 3
• HIS 4305. Renaissance and Reformation, 3
• HIS 4807. Historiography, 3
• HIS electives, 6 hours

(4) American Studies Emphasis, 17 hours:

• ENG 3304. Early American Literature, 2
• HIS 3303. Civil War and Reconstruction, 3 or HIS 3606. History of American Christianity, 3
• HIS 3404. The United States Founding Era, 3
• HIS 4405. Jacksonian Era, 3
• HIS 4606. War Years (1914-1915), 3
• HIS 4706. Post-World War II America 1945-Present, 3

(5) Electives, 5 hours 

This emphasis is offered for History B. A. or English B.A. students who want to specialize their historical education in politics and law. They will be required to meet all the same requirements as a traditional B. A., but they will use elective courses to focus their study. In addition to the requirements below, this degree requires the Theological Studies Major, Arts and Sciences Core, and Exercise Science Core as listed above.

Requirements: 124 hours, with a C average (2.00 g.p.a.) overall and in each segment:

(1) Theological Studies Major, 30 hours:

• BIB 1100. Introduction to Biblical Studies, 2
• BIB 1250. Evangelism and Discipleship, 2
• BIB 1011, 1031, 2032, 2062. Bible Survey, 10
• IDS 1902, 3101, 4101. Christianity, Culture, and Worldview, 6 (for content purposes, these  courses are shared with the A/S Core)
• PHL 3602. Christian Philosophy, 3 (for content purposes, this course is shared with A/S core)
• THE 3101. Christian Doctrines, 3
• BIB elective, 4 (must be at the 4000 level)

(2) Arts and Sciences Core, 53 hours:

• BIO 1001, 1011. Systems in Biological Science and Lab, 4
• BUS 1150. Microcomputer Applications, 0
• ENG 1111, 1122. Grammar and Composition I, II, 6
• ENG 2111, 2122. Masterpieces of World Literature I, II, 6
• HIS 1011, 1022. History of Western Civilization I, II, 6
• IDS 1501. Leadership and Calling: Personal Development and Leadership Principles, 2
• IDS 2102. Foundations for Civic Engagement, 2
• LNG. International language, 12
• MAT 1101. College Algebra, 3
• MUS 1002. Music Introduction and Appreciation, 3
• PHE 2100. Lifetime Fitness and PHE activity elective, 3
• SPE 1000. Fundamentals of Speech, 3
• SSC 3101. Marriage and Family, 3

(3) History Major Core, 25 hours:

• HIS 2201. Introduction to the Study of History, 1
• HIS 2605. Non-Western Cultures and People, 3
• HIS 3204. Survey Church History, 3
• HIS 4305. Renaissance and Reformation, 3
• HIS 4807. Historiography, 3
• HIS electives, 12 hours (6 hours must be at the HIS 4000 level)

(4) Political and Legal Foundations Emphasis, 14 hours:

• ENG 3605. Literary Criticism, 3
• HIS 3404. The United States Founding Era, 3
• HIS 4313. The Conservative Intellectual Tradition, 3
• LAW 2903. Foundations of Law, 2
• LAW 4105. Constitutional Law and History, 3

(5) Electives, 2 hours

This degree incorporates the History major and the Arts and Sciences core along with the Professional Education Core to prepare students to teach history skillfully in Christian, private, or public junior and senior high schools. The program leads to licensure in Tennessee, which provides for students to be able to teach history in grades 6-12 in public schools. Licensure requires the successful completion of the PRAXIS II Assessments, including the Specialty Area test in history, according to minimum scores determined by the Tennessee State Department of Education and the completion of Ed.TPA assessment (beginning Spring 2019).

Requirements: 140 hours, with a 2.75 g.p.a. overall, in all majors for licensure, and the Professional Core, which is required for admission to the program, admission to Student Teaching, graduation, and licensure. Otherwise, a minimum 2.00 g.p.a. is required in each segment of the degree.

(1) Theological Studies Major, 32 hours:

• BIB 1100. Introduction to Biblical Studies, 2
• BIB 1250. Evangelism and Discipleship, 2
• BIB 1011, 1031, 2032, 2062. Bible Survey, 10
• IDS 1902, 3101, 4101. Christianity, Culture, and Worldview, 6 (for content purposes, these courses are shared with the A/S Core)
• PHL 3602. Christian Philosop. 3 (for content purposes, this course is shared with the A/S core)
• THE 3101. Christian Doctrines, 3
• THE 3102. Christian Ethics, 3
• BIB elective, 3 (must be at the 4000 level)

(2) Arts and Sciences Core, 41 hours:

• BIO 1001, 1011. Systems in Biological Science and Lab, 4
• BUS 1150. Microcomputer Applications, 0
• ENG 1111, 1122. Grammar and Composition I, II, 6
• ENG 2111, 2122. Masterpieces of World Literature I, II, 6
• HIS 1011, 1022. History of Western Civilization I, II, 6
• IDS 1501. Leadership and Calling: Personal Development and Leadership Principles, 2
• IDS 2102. Foundations for Civic Engagement, 2
• MAT 1101. College Algebra, 3
• MUS 1002. Music Introduction and Appreciation, 3
• PHE 2100. Lifetime Fitness and PHE activity elective, 3
• SPE 1000. Fundamentals of Speech, 3
• SSC 3101. Marriage and Family, 3

(3) History Major, 34 hours:

• HIS 2201. Introduction to the Study of History, 1
• HIS 2605. Non-Western Cultures and People, 3
• HIS 3204. Survey of Church History, 3
• HIS 3404. The United States Founding Era, 3
• HIS 4305. Renaissance and Reformation, 3
• HIS 4807. Historiography, 3
• Electives, 18 hours (9 hours must be at the HIS 4000 level)

(4) Professional Education Core, 33 hours:

• PSY 2402. Lifespan Development, 3
• EDU 2001. Introduction to Education, 2
• EDU 2102. Educational Psychology, 2
• EDU 3801. Exceptional Child, 3
• EDU 4201. School Assessment, 2
• EDU 4302. Teaching in the Secondary Grades, 3
• EDU 4332. Content Area Reading/Writing, 3
• EDU 4401. History and Philosophy of Education, 2
• EDU 4450. Introduction to Student Teaching, 1
• EDU 4500. Student Teaching Seminar, 2
• EDU 4800. Enhanced Student Teaching: 6-12, 10

(5) Additional Endorsements: Students may add these endorsements to their History major. A passing score on the required PRAXIS specialty test(s) must be achieved before licensure can be granted.

Economics, 12 hours:

• ECO 2411. Macroeconomics, 3 
• ECO 2422. Microeconomics, 3 
• ECO 3732. World Economy History, 3 
• BUS elective, 3 

Psychology, 12 hours:

• PSY 2001. General Psychology, 3
• PSY 2402. Lifespan Development, 3
• PSY 4206. History and Systems of Psychology, 3
• PSY 4305. Psychol. Assessment and Research, 3

Students may attach a History Minor to any Welch College bachelor’s degree program. This program offers the student a basic exposure to the history field. It may not have more than one-third of the course-hours in common with the declared major. Program objectives will include those for the given major(s), as well as those stated for the Arts and Sciences core.

Requirements: 19 hours:

• HIS 2201. Introduction to the Study of History, 1
• HIS 3404. The United States Founding Era, 3
• HIS 4807. Historiography, 3
• HIS electives, 6 additional hours (from the 34-hour history major listed above)
• HIS electives, 6 additional hours (may or may not come from the 34-hour major; student must get history faculty member approval)

Preparation for Law School

Students planning to become lawyers must first complete a baccalaureate degree before enrolling in law school. Most law schools recommend against special programs for pre-law students at the college level. Instead, they suggest that pre-law students take any of several different majors, emphasizing the development of abilities that are typically associated with a good Arts and Sciences core. These include being able to write and think critically and clearly, communicate effectively, and analyze and weigh the elements of situations; having mature study habits and intellectual curiosity; and being broadly informed. Welch College recommends students interested in attending law school pursue either a history or English program, both of which have an emphasis in Political and Legal Foundations, or a business program.

Welch College has designated Matthew Bracey as pre-law advisor. Students interested in law school should plan their programs in consultation with him.