TCU Department of History & Geography

Welcome to History and Geography

Undergraduate history course descriptions for Fall 2013 are now posted here. Also, the annual issue of the department newsletter (Spring 2012) is out with news, updates, and interviews.

The mission of the Department of History and Geography is to foster an understanding of the past, promote critical inquiry, improve communication skills, and develop an appreciation for cultural diversity in the global community. Students taking history and geography courses work closely with faculty members to build a foundation of historical and geographical knowledge, to sharpen their powers of interpretation and critical thinking, to formulate and articulate logical arguments, and to develop skills of research and documentation. These are skills that will serve them well regardless of their future educational or career paths.

Where can all this take you? Recent TCU History and Geography graduates are using their skills in a wide range of fields including education, finance, government service, information technology, real estate, and law. For more information on the post-graduation employment and career patterns of our students, see "After the Handshake: Where Do Our Graduates Go?". See also the accomplishments of some of our recent PhDs.

Our department bylaws are posted here.

Fallen Marine and former Horned Frog wished to be a TCU History professor. In his honor, the Schmidt family hopes to fund a professorship... Read More

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The Department of History and Geography is pleased and honored by the announcement of the LCpl Benjamin Whetstone Schmidt Endowed Professorship in History at TCU. The endowment, established by Teresa and Dr. David Schmidt, honors their son, a Marine sniper, who was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan on Oct. 6, 2011. Read more about the Schmidts' gift here, or click on the image above.

Information & Events

Not sure what to do with your history major? Learn how to show off your skills in writing, analysis, and critical thinking. See this TCU Magazine article on "Make Your Major Work! How to Get a Real Job with Your B.A.," a one-credit course taught by Dr. Claire Sanders of the history department and Terrence Hood of Career Services.

Congratulations to Dr. Max Krochmal, recipient of the Summerlee Fellowship in Texas History at the Clements Center for Southwest Studies at SMU. He will spend the year-in-residence completing his book manuscript, Democratic Coalitions: African Americans, Mexican Americans, Labor, and the Fight for Civil Rights in Texas, 1935-1975.

Congratulations to Dr. Jodi Campbell, recipient of the A.M. Pate, Jr. Professorship for 2013-14. The Pate Professorship is a one-year award for excellence in research and writing; Dr. Campbell will spend this year completing her book project on food and social identity in early modern Spain.

The 117th annual meeting of the Texas State Historical Association was held February 28 - March 2 in downtown Fort Worth. Dr. Watson Arnold, who received his Ph.D. from TCU, delivered the presidential address, and the Association welcomed TCU history professor Dr. Gregg Cantrell as its 2013 president.

Congratulations to our 2013-14 Graduate Dissertation Fellows! Luz Huertas is the recipient of the Benjamin W. Schmidt Scholarship, and Amanda Bresie and Jeff Wells will receive

Departmental Dissertation Fellowships.

The Center for Texas Studies and the Fort Worth Public Library sponsor the Community Workshop Series. The next events in the series are Carol Clark Montgomery, "Preserving Landscape and Legacy at Clark Gardens" on April 6, and Andy Taft, president of Fort Worth, Inc., "Touching a Sensitive Date: The JFK Tribute in Fort Worth" on May 4. Both events are at 10:30 am in the Tandy Lecture Hall of Fort Worth Central Library. For more program information, follow the links above or call 817-257-6896.

Congratulations to Dr. Susan Ramirez, the 2012 recipient of the Dean's Award for Research or Creative Activity from the Social Sciences, recognized at the December commencement ceremony.

See more on our News & Events page!