History Program

History is a response to the eternal desire of human beings to know more about themselves. For this reason, history students experience a variety of courses, which emphasize the importance of people, their individual choices, their values and their ways of seeing themselves and their world. History majors seek to understand the accumulated heritage of humankind from the fossil past to the nuclear present.

This varied course of study includes fundamental survey courses, specific chronological or topical investigations, and special topic seminars. At Missouri S&T individuals holding Ph.D. degrees and who are publishing scholars teach all history and political science courses. The hallmark of the program is individual attention. In upper-level courses, efforts are made to keep class sizes small enough to enable discussion, which in turn provides for a greater breadth of knowledge and depth of understanding, and for personal student-professor associations.

As a history major you learn to analyze information, develop communication skills, and engage in research. Such skills are useful for careers in government service, business, industry and social science institutions as well as being the fundamental requisites for graduate and professional studies beyond the undergraduate degree.

In short, when you study history you not only learn important information and skills, but you also are challenged to think, to communicate and to cope with complexity.

History Department Contact
Dr. Larry Gragg
(573) 341-4804
lgragg@mst.edu

Curriculum for History Majors

Curriculum for History Minors

For other minors and programs offered in the department, click here.

Outstanding Research

The Department of History and Political Science at Missouri S&T enjoys a long-established reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Three of our faculty members hold the rank of "Distinguished Teaching Professor," three have received the "Governor's Award for Outstanding Teaching", two have received the "President's Award for Outstanding Teaching," which is awarded annually to one faculty member in the University of Missouri system and two have received the "Thomas Jefferson Award," which is also awarded annually to one faculty member in the University of Missouri System for distinguished research, teaching and service. Another faculty member has been honored by the Russian Academy of Science for his contributions to the study and understanding of civilization.

Student Organizations

Missouri S&T's history majors discover that fun is more than a thing of the past. All majors are encouraged to participate in the Missouri S&T History Club, which provides academic and social support through frequent gatherings, which are supported and coordinated through the department. The department also encourages its majors to participate in any of the more than 200 student clubs, organizations, sports, music, theater, student government and media available on campus.

Students majoring in history who meet the requirements may join Phi Alpha Theta, the national History Honor Society. This group, in conjunction with the History Club, provides social interaction with other history majors, information on internships, and information regarding conferences, exhibits and other events that are both educational and fun. Phi Alpha Theta and the History Club also bring visiting scholars to campus for lectures.