HISTORY

The Department of History and Political Studies is designed to help all students develop an understanding of the complex factors that have produced the civilizations of the present and also aid students in becoming responsible Christian citizens. Especially because of our emphasis on systematic research and analysis, the History and Political Studies majors receive instruction in preparing for careers in education, business, government service, public relations, or library work, as well as graduate study in law, theology, history, or political science.

The department acknowledges that, in human affairs of the past, present and future, God is sovereign. With that foundational truth, students are aided in developing Christian philosophies of history and politics as parts of an overarching biblically-based world view. The department offers two Bachelor of Arts degrees with five different areas of emphasis. Every course should help students integrate Christian faith and the academic fields. When pursuing a Political Studies degree from our Christian university in California students may choose from three available emphases: American Politics, Constitutional Law, or Political Theory. Although a capable person can get into law school with almost any major, the Constitutional Law emphasis constitutes excellent preparation for law school.

Christian students desiring a History degree may choose Church History or General History. Anyone seeking a History major and planning to attend seminary should choose the Church History emphasis. Anyone wanting to teach history should read the following paragraphs carefully.

• A survey taken in 2012 shows that of alumni from our department nearly 50% work in government, 12.5% work in education and another 12.5% in ministry

• There are 5-15 students in major classes allowing for close teacher-student mentorship and a high-level of scholarship

History Core Courses

• H211 Essentials of World History I (3)

• H212 Essentials of World History II (3)

• H230 Essentials of United States History (3)

• H343 United States Constitutional History (3)

• H421 Historical Research Techniques (3)

• H492 Senior Seminar in History (3)

Additional History Courses

• Two upper division U.S. history electives (6)

• Two upper division European history electives (6)

• Two upper division Non-U.S., Non-European history electives (6)

• Additional upper division history electives (9 )

• Additional history or social science electives (6)

Total units required for major (51)

History Education Emphasis Courses

• History core & additional history courses (51)

• One of the following (3)

  • ED202 Curriculum Instruction & Learning Theory (3)

  • ED301 Cultural & Linguistic Diversity in Teaching (3)

• ED400 Foundations of Education* (3)

• P321 Philosophies of Education** (3)

Total units required for emphasis (60)

*May be substituted with ED101, ED202, and ED301.

**Fulfills general education requirement for P311.

Minor in History

For a minor in history, the following courses are required:

• H211 Essentials of World History I (3)

• H212 Essentials of World History II (3)

• H230 Essentials of U.S. History (3)

• Upper division history electives* (9)

Total units required for minor (18)

*The nine units in upper division electives must be courses listed by the TMU History Department (or IBEX course offerings that are clearly history courses). Courses that do not begin with an H, taken with other departments, will not count.