Department of History

Cherry Hall                                                               
Office 200, Phone: (270) 745-3841, Fax: (270) 745-2950
Dr. Robert Dietle, Head
e-mail: Robert.Dietle@wku.edu
Website: www.wku.edu/History

Professors: C. Crowe-Carraco, J. Hardin, D. Lee, H. Phillips, J. Thacker, R. Weigel
Associate Professors: R. Dietle, A. Harkins, R. Keyser, G. LaFantasie, A. McMichael, P. Minter, M. Plummer, E. Reed
Assistant Professors: D. Browder, C. Du, M. Eagle, J. Pomero
Optional Retirees: J. Baker, M. Lucas
Professors Emeriti: C. Bussey, J. Calloway, P. Cook, H. Crocker, G. Dillingham, D. Harrington, R. Haynes, L. Harrison, C. Jackson, F. Murphy, R. Stone, R. Troutman

History is the record of the collective experience of mankind. It provides perspective and knowledge which helps us understand the present and it presents a hope that we may avoid in the future some of the mistakes which humanity has made in the past. As the broadest of all academic disciplines, history helps satisfy the curious mind which is not content with the present, but must query the past and attempt to peer into the future. History teaches us how to collect, analyze, and use data which produce a trained mind, the most practical tool available to the human race.

Because of its breadth, the study of history prepares a person for a considerable number of occupations and professions. One of the most frequently mentioned is teaching from elementary through the college level. There is, however, a wide variety of other areas open to the student of history: local, state, and federal governments, the diplomatic corps, law, professional library work, the national park service, banking, journalism, politics and a host of others. In addition, the business world often looks for those who have a strong background in the liberal arts. In fact, the career possibilities are virtually limitless.

The department offers a variety of courses to students who major or minor in the liberal arts or secondary education, as well as courses meeting general education requirements for all students.

Students who complete a major in social studies and who complete the professional education requirements may be certified in the teacher education program.

When planning a program of study in this department, each student should be aware of the University’s academic requirements and regulations contained in this catalog in the chapter, “Academic Information.” Specific attention should be given to the chapter subsections entitled “Academic Requirements and Regulations,” “Academic Programs,” and “General Education Requirements.” Students should be aware that some academic programs may require additional scholastic regulations and standards not specified in the catalog. To obtain a copy of these regulations, students should contact the department head.

Major in History
The major in history (reference number 695) requires a minimum of 33 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Courses required are HIST 119, 120, 240, 241 and 498. Of the remaining 18 hours, a minimum of 15 hours in upper-division courses is required with at least one upper-division course coming from each of the following areas: United States History, European History to 1648, European History since 1648, and Areas Other than Europe or the United States. For information on the 4-Year Plan for a degree in History, go to www.wku.edu/pcal/index.php?page=history-requirements.

Major in Social Studies
The major in social studies (reference number 592) requires a minimum of 60 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students completing this major may be certified in social studies. The courses required are distributed as follows:

History : 27 hours, including HIST 119, 120, 240, 241, and 498. The remaining 12 hours must be upper-division hours and must include a course from each of the following areas: United States History, European History to 1648, European History since 1648, and Areas Other than Europe or the United States.
Political Science: 9 hours, including PS 110, PS 250 or 260, and an upper- division elective chosen from the following: PS 310, PS 316, PS 326, PS 327, PS 328, and PS 370.
Economics : 6 hours, including ECON 202 and 203
Geography : 9 hours including GEOG 101 or GEOG 110; any two of the following GEOG 350, GEOG 360, GEOG 425, GEOG 430.
Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology : 9 hours including ANTH 120, PSY 100 and SOCL 100.

In choosing elective courses, students should keep in mind the number of upper-division courses required for graduation. Students who complete this program will not be required to offer an additional major or minor for their degree and teacher certification.

Students who pursue the social studies major should also bear in mind that at least a minor in a particular discipline is required by many universities for graduate study in that discipline. The equivalent of a history minor is included in the social studies major. The number of additional hours required to meet minor requirements in PS, ECON, GEOG and SOCL is as follows: PS: 15 hours; ECON: 15 hours; GEOG: 12 hours; and SOCL: 18 hours. Students seeking to minor in any of these disciplines should consult the appropriate department head for specific requirements. For information on the 4-Year Plan for a degree in Social Studies, go to www.wku.edu/pcal/index.php?page=history-requirements.

Minor in History
The minor in history (reference number 392) requires a minimum of 24 semester hours. Courses required are HIST 119, 120, 240, and 241. The remaining 12 hours must be taken in upper-division courses with no more than two upper-division courses coming from any one of the following areas: United States History, European History to 1648, European History since 1648, and Areas Other than Europe or the United States.

History by Interactive Television
The History Department offers upper-division courses via interactive television sufficient to meet the requirements for the history major with the exception of History 498, which must be taken on campus. These television courses will also meet the upper-division requirements for the history minor and the history component of the social studies major.

Departmental Honors Program
The Department of History offers an honors program for superior students that provides opportunities for a challenging and intensive investigation of historical topics in informal, small-group settings. Students with grade point averages of 3.4 or above are eligible to enroll in history honors courses. Those who fulfill designated requirements may earn a transcript notation indicating that they have graduated with honors in history. Full details of the program may be obtained by contacting Professor Patricia Minter, Office 206 in Cherry Hall.

Graduate Degree Programs
The Department of History offers courses leading to the Master of Arts degree. For more detailed information, consult the Graduate Studies Catalog and contact Professor Eric Reed, the Graduate Advisor, Office 219 in Cherry Hall.

Pre-Law

Cherry Hall
Office 206, Phone: (270) 745-5098
website: www.wku.edu/pcal/index.php?page=pre-law

Pre-Law Advisors: Patricia Minter (History); Cole Taratoot (Political Science), cole.taratoot@wku.edu

Pre-law preparation is not a curriculum as in the case of pre-medicine or other programs which follow a specific pattern of undergraduate courses. Both the American Bar Association and the American Association of Law Schools recommend a broad liberal arts program of courses for potential law students. Pre-law students will best prepare for law school by pursuing a rigorous course of study during their undergraduate years. No specific major is required for admission to law school, but students should select major and minor fields which they find both interesting and promising for superior academic performance.

Admission to law school is on a competitive basis, and the number of openings at each school is limited. The main criteria for admission to most recognized schools are a high grade point average (GPA) in undergraduate work and a high score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited four-year college or university is required for admission to law schools accredited by the American Bar Association.

Law school admission directors and independent studies of the factors which contribute to success in the study of law conclude that undergraduates should develop a core group of skills during their programs of study. It is important that students select courses that develop strong vocabulary and reading comprehension skills, effective writing ability, analytical/logical reasoning, and an understanding of societal institutions and values.

Students should pursue a challenging course of study that emphasizes reading, writing, and analytical ability. Courses which can develop the requisite skills and abilities for legal study include: ENG 100, 200, 300, 301 and English electives; PS 110, 220, 326, 327, and 328; HIST 119, 120, 445, 446 and history electives; PHIL 115, 350, 415 and philosophy electives. Based on individual interests, students may also pursue elective courses in accounting, economics, sociology/criminal justice, foreign language, and speech communication. The following courses, while not mandatory for pre-legal study, offer undergraduate students a useful introduction to various aspects of public law and legal history: PS 326, 327, and 328; HIST 445 and 446; BCOM 301 or JOUR 301; MGT 200; ECON 390.

Each student who intends to study law after graduation should make initial contact with the Pre-Law Advising program. Afterwards, students are encouraged to meet with a pre-law advisor in addition to his/her major advisor during their tenure at WKU. Pre-law advisors will provide assistance in obtaining information about law schools, the Law School Admission Test and other pertinent information. Aspiring pre-law students should plan to take the LSAT in June following their junior year. During the senior year, the pre-law advisor will also be available to assist students in the preparation and submission of applications to law schools of their choice. Applications are usually accompanied by letters of recommendation from faculty members who can comment on the student’s ability and promise for the study of law. Aspiring candidates should so conduct their undergraduate studies that they can with confidence ask at least three faculty members to serve as references.