Overview
Tennessee Tech established its History Department in 1926 when History was first offered as a major. Initially, Tennessee Tech listed the department as “History and Economics.” Over the years, its name evolved, transitioning to “Social Science and History” and later to “History and Science.” These two disciplines were combined until 1971, when the Department became a standalone entity.
Prior to the major being created, there were several categories of classes under the umbrella term of “History” which were used for the social science teacher certification program. There was a variety of classes that included: US History, Tennessee History, English History, Civics, and many others.
Department Mission
The goals of the History Department have remained consistent, emphasizing the provision of a diverse range of courses for a varied student population. The department’s programs were specifically designed to equip future historians with the tools and knowledge necessary for successful graduate study and to prepare graduates for careers in education, law, public service, and business. They offered survey courses in American history. They also currently offer Humanities General Education courses in Western and World Civilization. Additionally, the department presently offers specialized upper-division courses available to both history majors and non-history majors. Aligned with the University’s broader mission, the department was committed to fostering cross-cultural understanding and the Cumberland region of Tennessee.
While there are courses taught on Appalachia, the Upper Cumberland Humanities and Social Sciences Institute better known as the Upper Cumberland Institute at Tennessee Tech was founded by professors Homer Kemp and Calvin Dickinson in 1983. In collaboration with former professor Michael Birdwell, they created The Upper Cumberland Studies Endowment to help fund the institute. In 2022, directorship was passed to Dr. Troy D. Smith. The UCI aims to undertake many invaluable research projects pertaining to the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee and Kentucky.
Majors and Minors
The History Department had a History Master's program in the 1980s but this was discontinued due to low graduation rates. The History Department offers two majors as of 2026; a Bacehlor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science of History.
They also offer several minors. These include: The History minor, Digital Humanities minor, Race and Ethnic Studies in the United States minor, Women's and Gender Studies minor, Appalachian Studies minor, and the Religious Studies minor.
Course Offerings
Over the decades, Tennessee Tech’s History Department has provided a wide array of courses covering various cultures, time periods, and regions. Each professor specializes in one or more cultural or geographical areas. While faculty members have changed over time, the department continues to offer a rich selection of upper-division classes.
However, it is notable that during times of strife or major events, history classes at Tennessee Tech reflected these times. During WWII, for example, there was a class called "Recent European History" which delt with the principal developments in European history since 1914. It was a thorough study made up of the causes and progess of the World War, the problems arising from the Treaty of Versailles, and the causes and progress of the Second World War. Additionally, there ws the "Recent American History" class during this time which delt with the study of the social, economic, and political problems in American history since 1865 and their influence upon current movements and events. These eventually delved into the Cold War as well in the 70s.
Importantly, upper-division courses are open to students from all majors. For general education requirements, only six credit hours is required. Foundational courses include Early and Modern United States History and Tennessee History may substitute one of these.
A more updated listing of courses can be found here: History Department Courses
