Department of Humanities, Social, and Behavioral Sciences

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Timothy G. Elston, Department Chair

History Faculty:

Professor: Jesse L. Scott

Assistant Professors: Timothy G. Elston; Karl Rohr

Non-Departmental Historian: Jeffrey W. Stout

The study of history as an organized body of knowledge is a vital and integral part of a liberal arts education. The courses offered by the Department are designed to give students a broader understanding of other cultures as well as a deeper appreciation of their own heritage, and to provide the basis for a thoughtful evaluation of the trends and developments of the contemporary world. Upper-level courses in particular also provide training in the methods of scholarly research and critical analysis

Under a program approved by two national accrediting organizations in the field of Education, all Newberry College students seeking secondary certification to teach Social Studies must complete all of the requirements for a History major. History has long been one of the preferred undergraduate majors for those planning a career in the legal profession, and several of our graduates have been successful in winning full-tuition scholarships to law schools. Others have continued their education in graduate school studies in a variety of disciplines, including history, education, journalism, and library science. Many use their undergraduate training for what it is, a solid liberal arts education with specialization in a field that emphasizes perspective, analytical insight, ability to synthesize, and effective communication skills.

History Prerequisites

No History course except those numbered 480 and above carries a prerequisite, but it is anticipated that most beginning students will take the introductory-level courses: HIS 111, HIS 112, HIS 121, and HIS 122.

Each course is treated as an entity so that it is not necessary to take courses in chronological order nor to take an entire sequence. For example, a student may take HIS 112 before taking HIS 111 or take HIS 212 without having taken HIS 211.

When HIS 480 is offered, the sequential schedule for some other history courses may be temporarily altered.

History Major (B.A. Degree) Requirements (36 hours)

Requirements for a major in History include 36 hours of History as follows: HIS 111, 112, HIS 121, HIS 122, HIS 450, and 21 additional semester hours in History. At least 12 semester hours must be earned in courses numbered 300 and above.

History Majors have the option of taking Constitutional Law (POS 343) and one of the following Church History classes (REL 203, REL 207, or REL 310) as hours toward the history major.

Teacher Education Requirements
for Social Studies Certification in South Carolina

Students who plan to teach history or social studies at the secondary level must satisfy all of the requirements for the history major (36 hours) and must include HIS 240, and at least one 300- or 400-level course in both American and European History among their electives.

The South Carolina Department of Education requires that History teachers be certified in the more broadly based field of “Social Studies” rather than the more narrowly defined field of “History.” Therefore, students must also take the following courses as preparation for the comprehensive Social Studies certificate necessary to teach in South Carolina : ECO 210 ; POS 121 ; GEO 135 ; SOC 101, HIS 240. (Note that GEO 135 may count toward the 36 hours required for a History Major). These courses should be completed (or at least in process) before taking the Praxis II exam during the Junior year.

In addition, students must fulfill all of the Education course requirements for secondary certification. (See pages 77-81). The 40 hours of education courses must include the Social Sciences Methods course, SSC 335. Students should note that to complete a degree in History and the South Carolina certification mandates now requires a minimum of 132 hours.

Candidates should take EDU 101, 102, 103, or 104 during their freshman year. EDU 224 and EDU 229 or EDU 230 should be taken in different semesters during their sophomore year. These classes are prerequisites for all other education courses. Schedules for transfer students will be considered on an individual basis. All candidates must pass Praxis I reading, writing, and mathematics tests in order to take 300- and 400-level education courses, including EDU 382. Candidates must be admitted to Teacher Education before being allowed to take 400-level courses.

History Minor Requirements (18 hours)

The History minor requires 18 credit hours and may include hours earned to satisfy Core requirements. At least nine hours must be taken in courses numbered 211 or higher, and a distribution requirement must be fulfilled.

Credit must be earned for at least two of the following courses: HIS 111, 112, 211, 212, 220, 240, 250, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, and 360.

Credit must be earned for at least two of the following courses: HIS 121, 122, 310, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 340, 351, 352, and 381.

The remaining two courses may be chosen from any of those offered by the Department except HIS 110.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS