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Dr. Kenneth Hicks, Department Head

The Goals of the Department of History and Political Science

1. Provide traditional and nontraditional students quality associate and baccalaureate degrees;
2. Serve the University and the community through the pro- vision of quality general education courses;
3. Offer innovative and quality teaching both within the classroom and through distance education;
4. Foster the skills of critical thinking, writing, research, and oral communication among our students;
5. Foster values of scholarship, creativity, appreciation of diversity, and community service among our faculty, staff, and students; and
6. Attract and retain high quality traditional and non-traditional students.

Purpose. The department provides faculty to support discipline-specific degree programs as well as the University’s general education program. Using the latest technology, the faculty is able to offer students in northeastern Oklahoma and the surrounding region access to many academic opportunities. Appreciating that learning takes place outside the classroom as well, the department actively pursues service-learning opportunities for the academic enrichment of both faculty and students.

Programs

Students who successfully complete an approved program with emphasis in liberal arts, humanities, social sciences, or business subject areas are awarded the Associate in Arts degree.

These degree programs are designed as an integral part of the four-year programs if students ultimately pursue a baccalaureate degree.

Accounting
Business Administration
Criminal Justice Studies

Option: Collegiate Officer Program
Option: Law/Justice

Elementary Education
Liberal Arts

Option: General
Option: English
Option: English (Secondary Education)
Option: Native American Studies

Secondary Education

Option: Social Studies

Social Sciences

Option: Psychology
Option: Sociology

• Secondary Education, A.A.
• Secondary Education, Social Studies Option, A.A.

Bachelor of Arts

Communications

Option: Broadcasting and New Media
Option: Communication Arts
Option: Strategic Communications

The Bachelor of Arts in Communications stresses competence in oral and written communication and critical thinking skills that will serve the student for a lifetime. Students also acquire specific knowledge and skills needed to function in a variety of career opportunities at broadcast facilities, corporations, and civic enterprises. Such endeavors include, but are not limited to, media production/talent, corporate management, marketing, advertising and public relations, sales, promotions, law school, ministry, human relations, public speaking, and corporate and civic leadership.

Bachelor of Arts

Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies program is a multidisciplinary program focusing on local, national, and global environmental problems. Through a series of academic courses, students will examine the relationships between the environment and life on the planet including such issues as climate change, natural disasters, loss of biodiversity, resource depletion, sustainability, and mitigation activities.

The Environmental Studies Program mission supports the University Mission to “provide a general liberal arts education supporting specialized academic programs and prepares students for lifelong learning and service in a diverse society.” In addition, students in the program will “foster student excellence in oral and written communications, scientific reasoning, and critical and creative thinking.”

Bachelor of Arts

History

Option: American History
Option: General History
Option: Military History

The Bachelor of Arts in History with options in American and General History stresses competence in oral and written communication. Students will acquire a specific knowledge of skill set needed to function in a variety of well compensated career opportunities associated with the study of History, including law, higher and secondary education, government, museum studies, etc. Many students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History can be expected to seek graduate education in a variety of fields.

The Bachelor of Arts Military History option equips students for careers in the armed forces, the academic field of military history, law, public administration, education, journalism, security, intelligence, and government. It is excellent preparation for advanced graduate study. The core curriculum covers military history; leadership; technology; research methods in history and the social sciences; war and society; and the connections between war, ethics, and religion. Specific skills students will develop include analysis, critical thinking, writing, problem solving, organizing and presenting information, and basic research competencies. Electives provide in-depth study of military conflicts, international relations, and US foreign policy.

Bachelor of Arts

Liberal Arts

Option: English
Option: Global Humanities

The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts is structured similar to traditional liberal arts education, providing broad integrative courses in two areas of the liberal arts: English and Global Humanities. The multidisciplinary nature of the degree allows the student to experience a diversity of perspectives on the human condition. The degree is designed to provide a firm foundation in our cultural heritage as well as to foster creativity among individuals.

The degree also provides many opportunities to develop skills in artistic expression, writing, and critical thinking. It is intended that graduates of this degree will have the skills and knowledge base to thrive in graduate or professional school as well as in the modern economy.

Bachelor of Arts

Political Science

Option: American Government
Option: Public Administration
Option: International Relations

The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science is designed to provide students with the academic background to pursue careers in a variety of public sector careers, including politics, public and private sector administration, and nonprofit administration. Students can select between American Government and public administration options. International relations is a well-established sub-field in political science. The addition of an international relations option will require minimum additional curricula, and will help attract additional majors to the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree program.

• History, American History Option, B.A.
• History, General History Option, B.A.
• History, Military History Option, B.A.
• Political Science, American Government Option, B.A.
• Political Science, International Relations Option, B.A.
• Political Science, Public Administration Option, B.A.
• Social Studies Education, B.A.

A minor requires completion of at least 18-24 designated credit hours of coursework outside the student’s major field, including a minimum of 9 upper-division credit hours, and may have a required core. The same courses may not be used to fulfill the requirements for both a major and a minor. To complete a minor, a student is required to earn six 3000-4000 level credit hours in that minor at RSU.

• Geography, Minor
• History, Minor
• International Relations, Minor
• Military History, Minor
• Military Science, Minor
• National Security Studies, Minor
• Nonprofit Administration, Minor
• Political Science, Minor
• Public Administraton, Minor
• Social Entrepreneurship, Minor

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