Department of History
Programs
Internship Program
The History Department's Internship Program is designed to offer history majors an opportunity to put to practical use a variety of skills and information acquired in the classroom. Internship credit may be earned by working with local, state and federal government entities, as well as with non-government organizations, museums, and private companies where the historian's analytical and research skills can be practically applied. The ultimate goal is to teach the intern how to use these skills in the workplace while earning credit toward their degree. [continue]
Classical Languages
The department offers six terms (20 hours) of Latin courses through a sequence of four regular semesters and two summer sessions: Elementary Classical Latin, Advanced Classical Latin, Augustan Age Latin, Early Church Latin, Constantinian Era Latin, and Medieval Latin. The 20 hours entitle a student to a Latin Minor Certification Endorsement for teaching Latin in Idaho Secondary Schools. With the addition of 3 terms (9 hours) of related History and culture courses (e.g., Ancient Rome, Medieval Europe, etc.), a student can receive a 29 hour academic Minor in Latin Language and Literature listed on their graduation transcript. Many students have used these courses to obtain teaching positions in Latin, or to go on to Masters and Doctoral programs in Ancient, Early Christian, and Medieval History.
Gender Studies
Multicultural and interdisciplinary in perspective, the course work in gender studies seeks to recognize the diversity of human experience. Students examine the experiences of women and men and concepts of gender and sexuality within different cultural, social, economic, and religious contexts through the study of scholarship and creative works in a variety of fields. Thus, the course work seeks to provide students with essential preparation for lives and careers deeply impacted by the ongoing debate regarding gender and sexuality in our society.
Public History
Public History applies the insights and methods of history beyond academe. Public historians typically work in historical societies, museums, libraries and archives, educational publishing, historic parks, and public land agencies. Boise State undergraduates can earn college credit for public history internships at more than a dozen Treasure Valley locations. Masters students pursuing an "applied history" track can incorporate a community-based public history research project. Recent projects include a television documentary about Bosnian refugees, an online guide to historical fiction, an archive of gubernatorial papers, a web-based digital archive of gay rights campaign literature, an investigative report on Chilean educational policy, a CD-based interactive history lesson concerning America's involvement in the Vietnam War, and an architectural study of an historic site.
Major Fields of Emphasis
International History
The study of international history emphasizes the interactions of cultures, states and peoples of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East with each other and with North America and Europe. Numerous seminar topics are offered such as: History of Inter-American Relations, European Diplomatic History, United States Diplomatic History, History of the Cold War, Origins of the Gulf Crisis, The War in Vietnam, and many others.
Religious History
Many history courses emphasize the integral role that relgious has played in the human society and culture. Offerings on the history of Christianity include the early and medieval church, Constantine and Christian Rome, the crusades, women in Christianity. Special topics in United States history include the modern ecumenical movement. Living Religions compares the world's major active religions with emphasis on Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto, Judaism, and Christianity.
Western History
The study of the American West at Boise State stresses the diversity of the region and the practical value of scholarly research. Topics include National Resources and Environmental History, Western Women, American Indians, Exploration, Museums and Archives, and Historic Preservation. Team research projects, a variety of internships, and cultural events at the Hemingway Center of Western Studies broaden the learning experience. Library holdings are extensive.
Women's History
The study of women's history as a field of emphasis is designed to introduce students to the contributions and significance of women's past experiences. It also uses materials and methods which increase an awareness of the importance of women's many roles and expands students' horizons beyond those set by gender-based stereotypes. The field also uses class, race, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation among other issues as tools of analysis in placing women's lives in the larger context of human history.
Centers
Center for the Study of Idaho History and Politics
Specializing in Idaho and dedicated to pragmatic applications of social science research, the Center promotes the responsible study of history and politics through publications, exhibitions, forums, workshops, and tours. Collaborative projects include books and historical exhibits about the human transformation of the steppe at the foot of the Rockies. The Center is also a sponsor of downtown workshops and forums about urban problems that vex our traditionally rural state.
Web site: http://www.boisestate.edu/history/idaho/
NOTE: Graduate faculty are deeply involved in research and writing in their respective areas of emphasis. The Department of History encourages a collegial atmosphere in which students and faculty work closely together. Its main goal is to prepare students for further study or for a successful career in history.
Last reviewed February 2004