Social Sciences
The Social Sciences at USAO are organized in interdisciplinary fashion to encompass a number of diverse areas to include several fields traditionally considered part of the Humanities: American Indian studies, geography, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, and sociology. Study in these areas links the past with the present, investigates individual and social behavior, and explores human value systems, past and present.
In addition to the Bachelor of Arts degree in these fields, a teaching certificate in Social Studies also is offered. For this certificate, students must complete the degree requirements for the chosen major, as well as the course requirements for teacher certification.
History
Historians interpret human experiences, achievements, and shortcomings. An understanding of the past is essential for the truly liberal education. History encompasses the growth of political organizations; the development of economic, social, and religious institutions; and the course of literary, cultural, and intellectual movements. Specialization in history illuminates the origins of our present world and prepares the student with research, writing, and analytical skills. A degree in history opens avenues to careers in business, government, and teaching, as well as to graduate and professional schools.
Besides the baccalaureate in history, history courses are an integral part of the program leading to a teaching certificate in social studies.
Bachelor of Arts in History
Required History Core (30 hours):
| Course | Title | Hours Required |
| HIST 1113 | Ancient and Medieval Civilizations | 3 |
| HIST 1123 | Reformation and Modern Civilizations | 3 |
| HIST 4233 | Seminar | 3 |
+ Required History Electives (21 hours):
| Hist 1103 | Oklahoma History | 3 |
| Hist 2243 | Latin America Since the Revolutions | 3 |
| Hist 2880 | Special Topics* | 1-3 |
| Hist 2900 | Workshop* | 1-3 |
| Hist 2990 | Tutorial* | 1-3 |
| Hist 3213 | Europe, 1500-1789 | 3 |
| Hist 3333 | Europe, 1789-1848 | 3 |
| Hist 3553 | Europe, 1914 to Present | 3 |
| Hist 3663 | Colonial & Revolutionary America to 1789 | 3 |
| Hist 3773 | The United States 1789-1877 | 3 |
| Hist 3883 | The United States 1877-1945 | 3 |
| Hist 3993 | Contemporary United States, 1945 to Present | 3 |
| Hist 4880 | Special Topics* | 1-3 |
| Hist 4900 | Workshop* | 1-3 |
| Hist 4990 | Tutorial* | 1-3 |
| *May be repeated for total of 6 hours | ||
Minor in History
18 hours of history courses to be selected with approval of advisor.
COURSE LISTINGS in HISTORY
1103 OKLAHOMA HISTORY
General survey of historical, political and cultural development of
Oklahoma. 3 hours.
1113 ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL CIVILIZATIONS
General survey of early civilizations, including prehistoric, ancient,
the Orient, Greece, Rome, and the Middle Ages. 3 hours.
1123 REFORMATION AND MODERN CIVILIZATIONS
General survey of the Reformation and development of modern nations,
including Western Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. 3 hours.
2233 LATIN AMERICA THROUGH THE REVOLUTIONS
A survey of geography, aborigines, discovery, conquest, settlement,
and emancipation of Latin America. 3 hours.
2243 LATIN AMERICA SINCE THE REVOLUTIONS
A survey of the economic, political, and social development of Latin
American Republics. 3 hours.
2880 SPECIAL TOPICS
Special topics in history. 1-3 hours (may be repeated for total of 6
hours).
2900 WORKSHOP
Guided study in history under faculty supervision; various topics and
methods of instruction. 1-3 hours (may be repeated for total of 6 hours
with change in title and topic).
2990 TUTORIAL
Independent study in history under faculty supervision. 1-3 hours (may
be repeated for total of 6 hours with change in title and content).
3213 EUROPE, 1500-1789
Reformation and the age of absolutism. 3 hours.
3333 EUROPE 1789-1848
The revolutionary movements, growth of modern national states, and effects
of industrialism, nationalism, and democracy on its development. 3 hours.
3443 EUROPE 1848-1914
Europe from the revolutionary period to World War I: growth of nationalism,
imperialism, socialism, the alliance system, and emergence of a world economy.
3 hours.
3553 EUROPE 1914 TO PRESENT
World War I, Europe between the wars, the rise of totalitarianism, the
crisis of democracy, the problems of European diplomacy, World War II,
and the establishment of a new order. 3 hours.
3663 COLONIAL AND REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA TO 1789
European backgrounds and colonization; social, religious, and intellectual
institutions; social evolution and conflict; revolutionary motives and
tactics; constitutional formulation and ratification. 3 hours. Prerequisite:
IDS 2133 or equivalent
3773 THE UNITED STATES 1789-1877
Constitutional and party issues of the Federal period; American frontiers;
Jacksonian politics; social, economic, religious, and reform concerns of
the antebellum era; sectionalism and the Civil War; Reconstruction and
post-war racial adjustments. 3 hours. Prerequisite: IDS 2133 or equivalent
3883 THE UNITED STATES 1877-1945
Industrialization and its impact; organization of labor and farmers;
reform movements and political parties; overseas expansion and World War
I; cultural and political dissent; the 1920's; the Great Depression; and
World War II. 3 hours. Prerequisite: IDS 2143 or equivalent
3993 CONTEMPORARY UNITED STATES, 1945 TO PRESENT
Origins and course of the Cold War; domestic life and loyalty campaigns
of the 1950's; civil rights, Black power, and women's issues; the Indochina
war and debate; American counterculture; Watergate; economics, politics,
and culture of the '70s and '80s. 3 hours. Prerequisite: IDS 2143 or equivalent
4233 SEMINAR
Required of all history majors: methods of historical research and writing;
selected writings of representative historians; preparation of research
papers on assigned topics. 3 hours (may be repeated for total of 6 hours).
4763 TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL
Problems of teaching social studies; curriculum-making; evaluation of
textbooks, library, and other social studies material; methods of classroom
procedure. 3 hours (education credit only). Prerequisite: admission to
Teacher Education.
4880 SPECIAL TOPICS
Special topics in history. 1-3 hours (may be repeated for total of 6
hours).
4900 WORKSHOP
Related topics and problems in history. 1-3 hours (may be repeated for
total of 6 hours with change in title and content).
4990 TUTORIAL
Independent study in history under faculty supervision. 1-3 hours (may
be repeated for total of 6 hours with change in title and content).