The College of Arts and Sciences: History
An understanding of the history and cultures of global societies is critical to professional success. The different programs offered by the Department of History and Social Sciences provide students with the context to critically examine the politics, laws, culture, and current events of countries around the world.
For more information about the History program, or other programs in the Department of History and Social Sciences, contact Associate Professor and History Coordinator Bradford Martin, Ph.D., at bmartin@bryant.edu.
Bachelor of Arts with a major in History
The study of history offers students a deeper comprehension of the human experience through an examination of the institutional, social, political, economic, technological, intellectual, and cultural dimensions of our past. Disciplined study of the past encourages the cultivation of "historical thinking"-- understanding human identity and social interaction in their historical contexts. This understanding is necessary to analyze and evaluate issues of contemporary society and the increasingly interconnected world.
The concentration in History is available to complement a primary concentration in the College of Business or a major in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Students acquire skills enabling them to read documents or texts in historical context, to interpret events and understand institutions, to appreciate the diverse cultural and historical experience of western and non-western peoples, and to write extensively. Coupled with Bryant's business core, the command of these skills-- all highly valued by the business community-- provides student a unique education and training for positions of leadership. Further, the concentration in history gives students excellent preparation for graduate study in a variety of disciplines, including law, business, public policy, education, and history.
Download a .pdf of the curriculum requirements
Minor in History
The History minor emphasizes an awareness of the diversity of the human experience; an understanding of the knowledge historians seek and what questions they ask; a recognition of how historical perspective clarifies and deepens our understanding of the present and future possibilities; and the development and application of analytical, speaking, writing, and technology skills.
The Bachelor of Arts with a major in History introduces students to the methodology of conducting original research based on primary source materials while exposing them to cross-cultural historical parallels between the United States and the world. Historiography and historical method are built into the curriculum at every level, concluding with a more focused study of historical method at the 400 level.
The History concentration offers an individually tailored program that is created by each student in consultation with a faculty advisor from history. Students are required to take courses in both U.S. and non-U.S. history.
The History minor emphasizes personal resourcefulness, the ethical dimensions of history, and the awareness of diversity and differences in the human experience.
Courses
In addition to the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements, students will complete the following requirements for the major:
- Seven (7) History electives
- No more than three courses at the 200-level
- At least two courses in U.S. History
- At least two courses in non-U.S. History
- Two courses at the 400-level (includes HIS490)
- HIS490, Seminar in Historical Inquiry
- Two History and Social Sciences electives or other approved electives from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business
The requirements for the concentration include:
- Five (5) History electives
- No more than two courses at the 200-level
- At least two courses in U.S. History
- At least two courses in non-U.S. History
- Two courses at the 400-level (includes HIS490)
- HIS490, Seminar in Historical Inquiry
The requirements for the minor include:
- One 200 level history course
- Two 300 or 400 level history courses
- One 400 level history course
For complete course descriptions, please refer to the course catalog. Courses are listed in alphabetical order.
Opportunities After Graduation
Students who study History develop the critical-thinking and analysis skills to become professionals in a number of fields, including:
- Government
- Politics
- Education
- Law
- Research
- Writing
- Political risk assessment
- Information/research services
- Strategic planning
- Foreign Relations/Intelligence
- Policy Analysis
Faculty
James R. Estey, Associate Professor
A.M.T., History, Brown University
B.A., American Studies, Cornell University
Academic Interests: World history; European, Asian, African, and Russian history; history education.
Antoine L. Joseph, Professor
Ph.D., Sociology, University of Chicago
B.A.,Economics, Swarthmore College
Academic Interests: Race relations; comparative and historical sociology; social inequality; economic history
Judy Barrett Litoff, Professor
Ph.D., History, University of Maine
M.A., History, Emory University
B.A., History, Emory University
Academic Interests: American women's history; U.S. women and World War II; American midwives; collaborative learning at a distance between the U.S. and the Newly Independent States
Paul Lokken, Associate Professor
Ph.D., History, University of Florida
M.A., History, University of Saskatchewan, Canada
B.A., History, University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Academic Interests: Colonial Central America; Spanish imperialism; African diaspora; comparative slavery; race and identity
David S. Lux, Professor and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Ph.D., History, University of Michigan
M.A., History, University of Michigan
B.A., History, University of Michigan
Academic Interests: History of Science; history of technology, industrialization and technology transfer
Bradford D. Martin, Assistant Professor/History Coordinator
Ph.D., American and New England Studies, Boston University
M.A., American Studies, University of Massachusetts/Boston,
B.A., History with Theater Studies, Yale University
Academic Interests: U.S. cultural and political history; American studies; history of American popular culture; recent U.S. history
W. Jay Reedy, Professor
Ph.D., History, University of California, Santa Barbara
M.A., History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
B.A., History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Academic Interests: European intellectual/cultural history; modern European history; medieval cultural history; social philosophy
