Social Studies
Course Descriptions
Economics
ECO 2113 Basic Economics 3 Hours
A survey of basic economic systems. The student will understand economic systems which
pro-duce, distribute, and consume goods and services, and use this knowledge to understand
economic systems and make informed economic decisions.
Social Science
GEO 2223 Geography 3 Hours
A broad overview of various aspects of geography including major sections on landforms,
bodies of water, political units, and cultural variations. Research tools and methodologies
will be applied to the study of the state of Texas, the United States and the world.
GOV 2213 National and State Government 3 Hours
An analysis of national, state, and local government in the United States. Study is made of
the Articles of Confederation, the Federal Constitution, the national party system, the
departments of government, as well as other areas pertaining to national government.
History of state governments and constitutions are examined, with special emphasis upon the
Constitution of the State of Texas. The state legislature, the governor and state
administration, the state court system, local government, local government problems, as
well as other state and local government issues are analyzed.
GOV 2333 World Political Systems 3 Hours
An overview of the evolution of political and economic systems and cultures. Students will
be exposed to research strategies, sociological topics, and geographic information in order
to develop a framework for understanding society.
HIS 1113 American History I 3 Hours
A survey of the exploration of America, the founding and development of the English
colonies, the War of Independence, the establishment of the U.S. Government, the War of
1812, westward expansion, states’ rights, slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.
America's changing society and the interaction of individuals of differing cultural
backgrounds in the early United States receive special attention.
HIS 1123 American History II 3 Hours
Emphasis on the post-Civil War conditions, settlement of the trans-Mississippi region, the
struggle of Americans of various cultures and origins for a place in American society, the
Populist and Progressive movements, the two world wars, and the Great Depression. The
administrations of recent presidents from Harry Truman to the present administration, and
the importance of the United States as a world power are included.
HIS 2213 Western Civilization I 3 Hours
A survey of the political, social, and cultural aspects of Western Civilization from its
roots in the ancient empires of Mesopotamia and Egypt through the Roman period and medieval
Europe. Spe-cial emphasis is placed on the forces and people that brought change and
progress in the region.
HIS 2243 Western Civilization II 3 Hours
A survey of the political, social, and cultural aspects of European and American
civilization from the Age of Discovery until the present time. Nationalism, colonization,
technology, revolutions, and industrialization receive special emphasis.
HIS 3213 Social Studies 3 Hours
A course emphasizing Texas' Social Studies standards. By drawing upon the TEKS, the student
will study the various social studies components; history (particularly Texas history),
geography economics, government, citizenship, and culture. Course will include strategies
for social studies instruction in the EC-4 classroom. A field experience component is
required.
HIS 3313 Ancient Civilizations 3 Hours
A study of the Egyptian, Israelite, Assyrian, Babylonian, Greek, and Roman Empires along
with the civilizations of lesser importance that were also found in the Middle East and
Mediterranean regions. The course traces the history, religion, government, and society of
each civilization.
HIS 3323 Twentieth-Century America 3 Hours
A study of American social, political, economic, cultural, and diplomatic history from the
turn of the century to the present time. Topics that receive in-depth coverage include the
major wars, the Great Depression, increasing pluralism in American society, the Cold War,
and the decade of the 1960's, and the fall of communism. (Prerequisite: HIS 1123)
HIS 3333 Advanced Topics in American History Through the 1900's 3 Hours
A study of the most important issues of American history form colonial times through 1900.
Topics that receive major emphasis include interaction between Native Americans and European
set-tlers, American political ideology, the frontier, manifest destiny, industrialization,
slavery, reform movements, the Civil War and Reconstruction, and segregation.
(Prerequisite: HIS 1113)
HIS 3343 Technology & Inventions 3 Hours
A survey of technological advances throughout history and their effects on civilization and
society. Major emphasis is placed on architectural, military, agricultural, and industrial
innovations, with supplementary coverage of scientific and medical applications.
HIS 4413 Texas History 3 Hours
Texas history from the earliest Spanish explorations to the present time as established by
the TEKS. Topics that receive special emphasis are multi-cultural settlements of Texas, the
Revolution, the Civil War, the frontier, the Populist Era, and the growth of Texas
industry.
HIS 4423 World Civilization 3 Hours
A study of the major civilizations of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas from the dawn
of history to the present time. Emphasis is placed on the unique cultural contributions
which each civilization made to the world of its time and the world of today.
HIS 4433 Western History Through Literature 3 Hours
An interdisciplinary approach to the history of the Western world through representative
literature. Various significant works of fiction and nonfiction from ancient through modern
times are studied in their historical context. Major intellectual trends, political ideas,
issues, and elements of social history receive primary consideration.
HIS 4443 Institutions & Customs of Western Society 3 Hours
A topical study of the origins and continued development of key institutions, ideas, and
customs of the Western world. Such topics as the family, individual liberty, church-state
relations, centralized versus decentralized government, education, and law are explored in
detail to give the student an understanding of the roots of many facets of today's
world.
HIS 4483 History in the Secondary School 3 Hours
An emphasis on the instructional strategies for teaching the most important types of
history, such as political, social, and cultural history. This course emphasizes necessary
teacher competencies and the organization and various methods used for different grade
levels and achievement levels of secondary school students with an emphasis on cultural
diversity. Also covered is the subject matter differences between American history and
World history or Western civilization. It includes the use of instructional media,
measurement, evaluation, technology and lesson planning. Extensive field experiences are
included. (Prerequi-site: 12 hours of History. Same as EDU 4483.)
HIS 4513 World Civilizations I 3 Hours
A study of the major civilizations of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas from the dawn
of history to the seventeenth century. Emphasis is placed on the unique cultural,
political, social, and technological contributions which each civilization made to the
world of its time and the world of today, with a special focus on significant periods of
cultural exchange between Eastern and Western civilization.
HIS 4523 World Civilizations II 3 Hours
A study of the major civilizations of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas from the
seventeenth century to the present day. Emphasis is placed on the unique cultural,
political, social, and technological contributions which each civilization made to
the world of its time and the wolrd of today, with a special focus on the exchange
and blending of diverse cultures and on the relationships among differnt peoples and
nations.
SOC 2213 Introductory Sociology 3 Hours
A study of human nature and human behavior as the product of group life. Emphasis is placed
on the organization of society and processes involved; class, status, caste, race
relations, communi-cations, public opinion, and propaganda.
SOC 2253 Marriage and Family Relationships 3 Hours
A study of the historical and comparative importance of the family, the effect and impact
of modern industrial society and social change upon the family, and family integration and
disintegration.
SOC 3323 Social Problems 3 Hours
An analysis of the nature and diversity of social and personal disorganization, social
change as a source of social problems, and social planning and social movements as
solutions.