Page 208 - BSU Undergraduate-Catalog-2017-2019

1. To foster an atmosphere conducive to the fruitful exchange of ideas between students and faculty.
2. To train students proficiently in content and methodology in the departmental concentrations
of their choice.
3. To provide opportunities for critical study which will build marketable skills in a variety of fields.
4. To give students in the sequences a level of training which will enable them to succeed in graduate
studies and professional schools, or to pursue careers in academia, government, or business.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPARTMENT
The Department offers an interdisciplinary degree program in history and government with concentrations
in History, History Education and Government, as well as minors in the following areas: geography,
philosophy, history, pan-african studies, women’s studies, historical management, government,
international relations, public policy, and pre-law. The program aims to provide students with a broad
understanding of the complex historical, social, economic, and political forces within society, and it
seeks to promote students’ critical thinking skills. Students who choose either the history or the
government sequence may pursue either a BA or a BS degree. Students who choose the history (social
studies) education program must pursue a BS degree. To receive a BA/BS in History and Government, the
student must complete 120 semester hours. To receive a BS in History and Government with a
history (social studies) education concentration, the student must complete
131/132 semester hours. The minors in the Department are based on specific courses and have the
following credit hours: geography (15), philosophy (15), history (18), pan-african studies (12), women’s
studies (18), historical management (18), government (15), international relations (12), public policy (12),
and pre-law (15).

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Foreign Language: Students in the BA program must take and pass, with a “C” or better, 12
semester hours of a second language other than English. In some cases, a foreign language
proficiency examination may be substituted for the course requirement.
2. Senior Thesis: Students, except those in the history (social studies) education concentration,
must write a thesis paper in their senior year.
3. Comprehensive Examination: Students must take and pass a written departmental
comprehensive examination in their concentration during the senior year.
4. The Bowie State University English Proficiency Examination: All majors must take and pass the
Bowie State University Writing Proficiency Examination after successful completion of ENGL 101:
Expository Writing and ENGL 102: Argument and Research. Transfer students who completed
their English composition requirements at another university must take the Writing Proficiency
Examination during their First Semester of enrollment at Bowie State.
5. History (Social Studies) Education Majors must take PRAXIS I and PRAXIS II and achieve a passing
score set by the Maryland State Department of Education in order to be certified by the State of
Maryland. Passing scores on the PRAXIS are a prerequisite for several courses in the professional
sequence, including methods courses and student teaching. Passing scores on PRAXIS I as well as
both parts of PRAXIS II are required for graduation.

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