History, Languages, & Humanities

The Department of History, Languages, and Humanities offers majors in History, Social Studies Education, and Women's and Gender Studies. Minors are offered in History and Women's and Gender Studies. A certificate in Women and Science is also offered.

Department Co-Chairs of History, Languages, & Humanities: Annette Morrow & Theodore Gracyk

History and Social Studies
MacLean Hall 374, (218) 477-2812
Faculty: Yolanda Arauza, Kazimir Gazdzik, Annette Morrow, Sean Taylor

History

The History Department offers courses in U.S., European, South American, African, Asian, and World History to meet the varied needs and interests of our students. History courses can be found that fulfill requirements in several areas of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum. Upper-division courses in History also prepare students for careers as teachers or in such diverse areas as law, government, libraries, museums, and business. The study of history at MSUM involves much more than the memorization of names and dates. Our students learn to think analytically and critically about the past and to understand history as the experiences of real human beings.

Social Studies

Successful completion of the Social Studies major leads to certification from the State of Minnesota to teach in grades five through twelve.

The major has four components:

• Core requirements, also known as distribution requirements. These courses expose majors to the various disciplines that comprise Social Studies. All students must complete the 27-29 credit requirement listed below.
• Emphasis. Majors must choose one discipline as their emphasis. Requirements for each discipline are listed below.
• Secondary emphasis. Majors must choose one discipline as their secondary emphasis. Requirements for each discipline are listed below.
• Teacher licensure requirements. These requirements are common to all secondary education majors and are listed under Secondary Education. Students should carefully study and understand all of these components and choose their course of study in consultation with their advisor. In selecting primary and secondary emphases, students should consider their own interest and aptitudes and the needs of the job market in secondary schools. While History is the foundation of Social Studies in the schools and is the most frequently taught subject in Social Studies, other areas are also taught at the secondary level, often depending on the size of the school. In Minnesota, high schools must commonly offer courses in Geography, Political Science, and Economics.

It is also worth noting that students can enhance their appeal as teacher candidates by qualifying themselves to coach a sport. Consult with the Health and Human Performance Department to learn more.

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