Department of History and Philosophy

Dr. David Coffey, Chair
322 Andy Holt Humanities Building
731-881-7470
fax 731-881-7584

Faculty

David Barber, Matthew Braddock, Christopher M. Brown, Merry E. Brown, Joshua A. Camper, Alice-Catherine Carls, David Coffey, James F. Fieser, Richard P. Garlitz, Benjamin M. Guyer, Nathan D. Howard, Renee LaFleur, Margaret B. Lewis, Daniel J. McDonough, Henry H. Parker, Timothy B. Smith

Mission

The Department of History and Philosophy’s mission is to provide an outstanding undergraduate education by offering an appealing and appropriate array of courses taught by devoted faculty who care deeply about students, individualized, one-on-one academic advising, and opportunities to enhance one’s educational experience through internships, faculty-led travel-study, and advanced research and writing. The faculty embrace and model principles of academic integrity, equality and diversity, tolerance and inclusion, by exposing students to a variety of interpretations and specializations in the fields of history and philosophy. With challenging curricula designed to emphasize critical examination, informed expression, ethical awareness, and an advanced understanding of how people, events, and ideas of the past influence the present and future, the Department of History and Philosophy prepares students for life as productive, responsible citizens with skills integral to a broad range of careers and the ability to pursue a graduate education in the fields of history, philosophy, law, teaching, and theology.

Student Learning Outcomes

History majors are expected to:

Identify major events, movements, people, and cultures in their historical context and how these relate to the present;
Analyze and differentiate between primary and secondary sources and understand the appropriate uses for both;
Develop research skills that promote the acquisition of historical knowledge and emphasize interpretation;
Apply critical analysis in the evaluation of competing interpretations and the development of informed argument;
Produce research-based writing projects that demonstrate historical methodology and proper documentation;

Philosophy major are expected to:

Identify classic philosophical theories in metaphysics and epistemology;
Differentiate diverse perspectives in ethical, political and aesthetic theories of value;
Apply the main rules of logic and argumentation;
Compare major people and movements within the history of philosophy;
Defend/refute philosophical positions verbally and in writing.

Programs

The department offers majors and minors in history and philosophy. It is also responsible for minors in African-American Studies and Religious Studies. The department’s majors offer students a wide range of career opportunities that come with a liberal arts education. The majors particularly prepare students for further education at the graduate level where they can specialize in a variety of sub-fields. Too, they are excellent for students interested in attending law school or seeking government employment upon graduation. Additional information on career opportunities and current careers of departmental alumni is available upon request.

Scholarships

The department offers the following scholarships:

The H.B. Smith Freshman History Student Scholarship. This $1,000 tuition scholarship goes to an outstanding high school senior from West Tennessee who plans to attend UT Martin as a freshman and major in History. Applicants are nominated by one of their school teachers or administrators based on scholastic ability and financial need. Recipients are chosen by a department committee.

The Wilma and Ernest Newby Scholarship. This substantial tuition award is made possible by Mr. Carl G. “Butch” Newby in honor of his parents, Wilma and Ernest Newby. It is granted to a junior or senior social science major. Possible military connection or career plans, financial ability and scholarship are main factors in the selection process. Recipients are chosen by a department committee.

The Patrick R. Taylor Scholarship. This $100 award goes to the History, Political Science, or International Studies major with the best upper-division paper in European history.

The Langdon S. Unger Scholarship. This award goes to the junior History major with the highest overall GPA and the highest History GPA based on the greatest number of history hours. In the case of a tie, department activities will be considered as well.

The Bateman-Wyant History Scholarship. This annual scholarship award is open to any History major maintaining a 3.0 average or better. Students will compete for the award by writing a research article based upon some aspect of U.S. history. The person judged by the history staff as having written the best paper will be awarded the scholarship. Winners will be allowed to compete for a second time. The amount of the award will be $500. Competition for the award and the deadline for submission of the completed article will be announced in the fall term of each school year. All articles submitted will have to comply with the style and length requirement set by the department.

Student Organizations

History

History Club. Open to any student interested in history, regardless of major or GPA. Members hear speakers on history-related topics and visit area historical sites.

Phi Alpha Theta. National history honor society. Open by invitation to students who have a minimum of 12 semester hours of history and a minimum GPA of 3.01, are in upper two-thirds of all remaining courses after history grades are removed and are in the upper 35% of their respective class.

Philosophy

Phi Sigma Tau, the International Honor Society in Philosophy, recognizes outstanding Philosophy majors and minors.

Philosophy Forum. Membership open to all. Provides an opportunity for philosophical discussion and seeks to promote interest in philosophical studies, to provide an opportunity for the publication of works in philosophy, to encourage friendship among persons of philosophical temperament and to promote the ideals in philosophical education.

Awards

History Club Award. A cash award of $150 made to a History Club member selected for outstanding leadership in the club.

Langdon S. Unger Upper-Division History Award. This tuition or travel-study award goes to the outstanding upper-division History major.

Lonnie E. Maness History Award. An award of $100 for the outstanding graduating senior History major.

Louis Mauldin Philosophy Award is presented annually to an outstanding freshman or sophomore Philosophy major.

Marvin L. Downing Lower-Division History Award. This tuition or travel-study award goes to an outstanding sophomore who has completed three semesters of lower-division history.

Norman S. Lillegard Philosophy Award. An award of $200 goes to the outstanding Philosophy major.

Tennessee Historical Commission Award. Cash and book award to graduating senior selected by the department as the outstanding history student.

The Coleman Family Legacy Award. This award recognizes an outstanding history major who demonstrates academic excellence and a commitment to service. Preference may be given to nontraditional students who plan to pursue a career in law. This $2,000 award, the most prestigious presented by the History faculty, was established by UT Martin alumnus Martha Edinger in honor of her grandparents Lexie and Verna B. Coleman.

The Marvin and Sandra Downing Outstanding Service Award. This award recognizes an outstanding history major who has made notable contributions in service to the History Program and the Department of History and Philosophy. This $500 award was established by Professor Emeritus Marvin Downing in memory of his wife Sandra. The recipient will be selected by the History faculty and staff.