Department of History and Liberal Studies
Discovering Our Past, Shaping Our Future
From historical movements to modern media, explore what moves people and ideas. Strengthen the skills to analyze deeply, connect across cultures and communicate with purpose.
Find your voice. Understand the world. Shape what's next.
In the Department of History and Liberal Studies, you'll examine the ideas, events and popular culture that influence societies past and present. The department also includes Communication Studies and Philosophy, as well as a number of interdisciplinary minors. Through cross-disciplinary study, you'll engage different cultures, analyze complex information and refine your ability to communicate with clarity and purpose. The result is a flexible set of skills — critical thinking, problem-solving and persuasive communication — that stand out in a rapidly changing world.
Explore Our Programs
African American Studies Minor
With the African American Studies Minor, you can acquire the skills necessary to examine the African American experience from different perspectives and receive a solid foundation in interdisciplinary study and engagement.
Latin American and U.S. Latino Studies Minor
The interdisciplinary minor in Latin American & U.S. Latino Studies (LALS) is designed to introduce undergraduates at East Texas A&M to the histories, cultures, politics, and societies in Latin America, as well as the descendants of Latin Americans who reside in the United States (U.S. Latinos). This minor is open to all majors and requires students to select courses in various departments to maximize their academic understanding of the region.
Undergraduate Gender Studies Minor
Communication Studies (BA/BS)
The Communication Studies program produces graduates who understand and can solve communication problems, making them uniquely qualified to contribute to the growth and betterment of any team.
History (BA/BS)
Through this degree you will become trained in the discipline of history. You will gain knowledge of the human past, practice historical research and writing, and learn to analyze and interpret evidence and historical interpretations. This program is a good selection if you plan to pursue advanced degrees in history or a career in public history, historic preservation or government service.
Liberal Studies (BA/BS)
The Liberal Studies program educates the whole person. Learn what it means to become a responsible citizen and globally-minded scholar with our well-rounded program.
History (MA/MS)
You will have the opportunity for advanced study in historical interpretation, historical theory and research methods. Earning your master's degree in history opens doors in academia, nonprofit, education and government.
Public History Graduate Certificate
This certificate helps you develop specific skills related to public history. The practical, theoretical and analytical training provided in the certificate program will enhance your ability to compete for jobs in museums, historical societies, cultural resource centers, parks and historic preservation.
Teaching History Graduate Certificate
You can become a certified early college or dual credit instructor with our Teaching History graduate certificate. Local school districts continue to expand their offerings of early college and dual credit history courses. There is a growing need for qualified teachers who can meet this need.
Women’s and Gender Studies Graduate Certificate and Minor
The Graduate Minor and Graduate Certificate in Gender Studies provide the opportunity for students to focus on the interdisciplinary study of issues that shape and define our understandings of masculinity, femininity and sexuality. The study of gender enhances knowledge of the global world historically and across cultures.
Teach History with a Double Major in Secondary Education
Secondary Education (BA/BS) Junior High/High School with Content Area
Designed for students interested in teaching junior high or high school, this four-year, 120-credit hour degree is offered face-to-face in Commerce and integrates deep content area coursework with teacher preparation and field experience. Students choose an emphasis or double major in a subject area (e.g., biology, chemistry, English, history, mathematics, or social studies) and simultaneously take education courses focused on instructional design, classroom management and learning theory.
Faculty Spotlight
Mylynka Kilgore Cardona, Ph.D.
Sharon Kowalsky, Ph.D.
Cynthia Ross, Ph.D.
Jessica Brannon-Wranosky, Ph.D.
Emily L. Newman, Ph.D.
Phi Alpha Theta
East Texas A&M proudly hosts the Eta-Beta chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the National Honors Society for History. Phi Alpha Theta promotes research, teaching, and publication in order to increase awareness and knowledge about history. The Eta-Beta chapter provides history students an academic community and professional development opportunities. The organization strives to bring our university's students and teachers together for intellectual and social exchanges related to the field and profession of history.
Though one does not need to be a member to participate, membership is encouraged. To be a member in the Eta-Beta Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta undergraduates must have completed a minimum of twelve semester hours of history courses, maintain an overall GPA of 3.0, a GPA in applicable history courses of 3.1, and be a currently enrolled student in good standing with East Texas A&M. Graduate students must also have twelve semester hours of coursework completed, maintain a GPA no lower than a 3.5, while also being currently enrolled students in good standing. If you are already a member of Phi Alpha Theta from another university, or wish to learn more information about the organization and how to join, please contact the faculty advisor or the chapter president.
The Phi Alpha Theta chapter advisor is Dr. Cynthia Ross. For information regarding membership or other details of the organization, please contact the Department of History Office.
In Spring 2018, the Eta Beta chapter held professionalization and writing workshops for undergraduate and graduate students. The chapter hosted the regional PAT conference. East Texas A&M students Mykah Jones-Henschel, Chris Rowback and Michelle Hodge received paper awards.
Alumni Spotlight
Nick Sprenger
Katherine Skrabanek, M.A.
Austin Baxley
Allison Faber
Manuel "Manny" Grajales, Ph.D.
Heather Rodriguez
Meredith "Grace" Slayter
News Spotlights
East Texas A&M Professor Leads Statewide Project Highlighting Women in Texas History
To honor Women's History Month, East Texas A&M celebrates a decade of the work of Dr. Jessica Brannon-Wranosky, who serves as founding project director for the “Handbook of Texas Women.”
ET Alum Retiring Following Nearly Six Decades of Teaching
East Texas A&M University alum James “Larry” Story is finally hanging up his hat, retiring from teaching following a 59-year career at Tarrant County College.
History Faculty Member Elected to Leadership Role with National Organization
Associate Professor Mylynka Cardona, Ph.D., was recently elected vice president and president-elect of the Society for the History of Discoveries.
Our Research
In addition to teaching, our faculty are always endeavoring to contribute to historical scholarship. Below, find a few of our ongoing and completed projects.
East Texas War and Memory Project
The East Texas War and Memory Project (ETWMP) is an oral and public history project that collects, preserves, interprets and makes accessible to the public the stories of people affected by war in order to uncover both the lived experience of war and the individual and public memory that surrounds it.
Handbook of Texas Women
The Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) seeks to shed light on the achievements of Texan women through a massive initiative to expand on the nation's oldest and most successful digital state encyclopedia, the Handbook of Texas. Texas women make Texas history, and the time has come to illuminate the stories of these women.
Ted Crim Postcard Collection
This collection of postcards depicts buildings on our campus along with locations around the town of Commerce, Texas. It includes prints from nationally known companies such as Curt Teich and Co., National Colortype Cincinnati, Auburn Post Card Mfg. Co, and Bob Wyer Photo Cards. The postcards were donated to Special Collections and University Archives by alumnus Ted Crim.
Occupied Landscapes, Occupied Ecologies
This manuscript, by Dr. Cynthia Ross, investigates the role of scientific inquiry in legitimating and advancing imperial domination of the imperial outpost of Guam. Occupied Landscapes, Occupied Ecologies: Science, Empire, and Control extends this framework beyond the British Empire to explore the role of knowledge production in shaping European and American visions about tropical imperial possessions, specifically Guam in the Mariana Islands of the western Pacific.
A Dream of the Judgment Day
A Dream of the Judgment Day: American Millennialism and Apocalypticism, by Dr. John Howard Smith, surveys popular belief in a biblical end of the world in colonial America and the United States. Contrary to most studies of the subject, which tend to treat such beliefs as occupying the fringes of American religious culture, this book demonstrates how they are an integral part not just of American religious culture, but of American culture generally, as well.
Resources
The History Department and the university provides lots of opportunities to support your studies. Visit the resources below to get more information.
Scholarships will be awarded by the History Department scholarship committee following the criteria listed under each award. No student may receive more than one History Department scholarship in any award year. The committee may withhold awards at their discretion. Applications and all required supplementary materials must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships using the General Scholarship Application by the appointed deadline found on the Office of Financial Aid website. Please do not submit any materials to the History Department Office. Generally scholarship applications are due in the spring and are awarded for the following academic year. Scholarship award values may vary based on the availability of funds. For questions regarding the scholarship award process, contact Dr. Judy Ford.
Charles Ternay Neu Scholarship
To be eligible, applicants must be admitted to East Texas A&M University as undergraduates, have declared the intention of majoring in History either through filing a degree plan or listing History as their major on their admission documents, and have an overall GPA of at least 3.0. The award will be given to the qualified applicant with the highest overall GPA.
Mattie Baker Prize for Merit
To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in East Texas A&M University, have an undergraduate degree plan on file with a major in History (any track), have completed at least nine semester credit hours in History (excluding History 1301 and 1302) with a major GPA in History of at least 3.3. Eligible applicants will be ranked by the scholarship committee based on demonstrated mastery of course materials. The award will be given to the highest ranked eligible candidate.
Frank B. Jackson Scholarship
To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in East Texas A&M University, have an undergraduate or graduate degree plan on file with a major in History (any track), be classified as a junior or senior (if undergraduate),must have completed at least nine semester credit hours in History (excluding History 1301 and 1302), and have a major GPA in History of at least 3.3. Applicants must submit a 1-2 page essay that discussing their particular interest in history and how they plan to use the degree. Eligible applicants will be ranked by the scholarship committee based on demonstrated mastery of course materials and the quality of their essay. The award will be given to the highest ranked eligible candidate.
Jewell and Jesse Guy Smith Scholarship
To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in Texas A&M University, have an undergraduate degree plan on file with a major in History (any track), have completed at least nine semester hours in History (excluding History 1301 and 1302), and have a major GPA in History of at least 3.3. Applicants must submit a 1-2 page essay that discussing their particular interest in history and how they plan to use the degree. Eligible applicants will be ranked by the scholarship committee based on demonstrated mastery of course materials and the quality of their essay. The award will be given to the highest ranked eligible candidate.
Joe Fred Cox Scholarship
To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in East Texas A&M University as full-time students, be in good standing at the university, have an undergraduate degree plan on file with a major in History (any track), be classified as a junior, and have an overall GPA of at least 3.0. Eligible applicants will be ranked by the scholarship committee based on demonstrated mastery of course materials. The award will be given to the highest ranked eligible candidate.
Anthony Regenald Heneger Prize
To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in East Texas A&M University as a graduate students, have a graduate degree plan on file with a major in History (any track), and have a major GPA in History of at least 3.5. Applicants must submit a 1-2 page essay that discussing their particular interest in history and how they plan to use the degree. Eligible applicants will be ranked by the scholarship committee based on demonstrated mastery of course materials and the quality of their essay. The award will be given to the highest ranked eligible candidate.
W. Eugene Hollon Scholarship
To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in East Texas A&M University as graduate students, have a graduate degree plan on file with a major in History (any track), and have a major GPA in History of at least 3.5. Eligible applicants will be ranked by the scholarship committee based on demonstrated mastery of course materials. The award will be given to the highest ranked eligible candidate.
Adkins Family History Scholarship
To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in East Texas A&M University as either an undergraduate or graduate student and have a degree plan on file with a major in history (any track). Applicants should submit a 1-2 page essay discussing their particular interest in history and how they plan to use the degree. Eligible applicants will be ranked by the scholarship committee based on the submitted essay. The donor (or his designated agent) will be provided with a copy of the essay for review.
Billie and Otha Spencer “Storytellers” Scholarship
This award is given to assist students in conducting oral history research. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in East Texas A&M University as either an undergraduate or graduate student and have a degree plan on file with a major in history (any track). Applicants should submit a research proposal of no more than 500 words outlining the project goals, their research process, and how they plan to spend the funds. Proposals will be ranked by the scholarship committee. The award will be given to the highest ranked eligible candidate. Preference will be given to proposals related to the East Texas War and Memory Project. The committee may award multiple prizes at their discretion.
Students who have full admission to the program may be eligible for several forms of financial aid, including Texas Public Education Grants, college work-study, graduate assistantships, housing scholarships, scholarships and loan programs. For more information, please contact Enrollment and Financial Aid Processing at 903.886.5096.
We Are Here to Help
Have a question not covered here? We want to hear from you. Choose your field of study below to find your department contact.
Communications
History
- Undergraduate: Contact Sharon Kowalsky
- Graduate: Contact Mylynka Kilgore-Cardona
Meet the Department
Contact Us
- Department of History and Liberal Studies
- 903.886.5226
- [email protected]
- Ferguson Social Sciences 111
- 1702 Education Drive
- Commerce, TX 75428
- P.O. Box 3011
- Commerce, TX 75429-3011