DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY

There are numerous scholarship opportunities available to students, both through the university, the College of Letters and Sciences and the History Department. To make life a little easier, all of the university's scholarship applications and requirement listings are available online.

The History Department offers six scholarships as described below.  All applications, except for the Graham Study in Britain Award, are due in the History Department the last Monday in February each year.   To start your submission via a Qualtrics Survey.

Should you run into issues, please contact Dr. Jennifer Thibodeaux via email at thibodej@uww.edu.

The John T. Larimer Scholarship

• Will be awarded to students who have demonstrated a passion for history through involvement in Phi Alpha Theta - the National History Honors Society, is an enrolled undergraduate student at UW-Whitewater with an overall academic GPA of at least 3.0, has earned 12 or more units of history with at least a 3.10 GPA in all history courses, and also is involved and participates in campus community or a local community, preferably in relationship to the field of history and/or service to the community.  
• INSTRUCTIONS - APPLICATION   

The Donald L. & Allene L. Graham Scholarships

• Will be awarded to full-time History majors and minors, or Broadfield Social Studies majors with a History emphasis. A student must have an overall and a History grade point average of 3.00 or above at the time of selection. By the beginning of the scholarship award period, the student must be at least a junior (at least 60 credits) and have nine or more credits in history. 
• INSTRUCTIONS - APPLICATION

The Graham Study in Britain Award

• Available to a student enrolled in any major in the University who enrolls for a period of one semester or longer in a University in the United Kingdom. The recipient must have attained at least junior standing at the beginning of the award and have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above. The applicant is expected to present evidence that they will gain admission to a university program in the United Kingdom.
• IMPORTANT:  Applications for the Graham Study in Britain Award should be submitted to the Center for International Education (Hyland Hall, Suite 1227).  The deadline for this scholarship is March 15th. This scholarship will be awarded by the L&S Dean's office.
• Application  

The Jack Filipiak Scholarship

• Awarded to a History major. Applicants must be juniors or seniors with a Minimum 3.0 GPA in History and nine or more credits in American History.
• INSTRUCTIONS - APPLICATION  

The Michael Kennedy Memorial Scholarship

• Will be awarded to full-time History majors and minors, or Broadfield Social Studies majors with a History emphasis. A student must have an overall and a History grade point average of 3.00 or above at the time of selection. By the beginning of the scholarship award period, the student must have accumulated at least 24 UW-Whitewater credits and three or more credits in history.
• APPLICATION  

The Paul Schmunk Memorial Scholarship

• Available to a full-time History major or minor with substantial coursework in American History  and an overall GPA above 3.50.
• APPLICATION

Scholarships and Awards AY 2019-2020

The most common forms the department uses can be found on the Registrar's page

• Major/Minor/Certificate Change
• AAR Personalization
• Late Add or Late Drop Request

Please also check the College of Letters and Sciences page for:

• Foreign language waiver based on high school courses
• Request for personalization: 300/400 level coursework
• Declare a Letters and Sciences Certificate
• Retroactive Credits in Foreign Languages
• Request for Overload of Credits

Public History majors at UWW complete a 3-credit internship at a local public history site. Interns are matched with a site based on their skills and interests in the field.

Recent internships have included:

• Milwaukee Public Museum
• Whitewater University Archives
• Hoard Historical Museum
• Whitewater Historical Society
• Jefferson County Historic Sites Preservation Committee
• Scottish Mining Museum (through the Wisconsin in Scotland Program).

Phi Alpha Theta (ΦΑΘ) is an American honor society for undergraduate and graduate students and professors of history. The society has over 350,000 members, with about 9,500 new members joining each year through 860 local chapters.

Phi Alpha Theta was established on March 17, 1921 at the University of Arkansas by Professor Nels Cleven. Cleven had become convinced in his time at the university that a fraternity of scholars (which would accept men or women) was important for the study of history. He invited students to a meeting to form the society (then called the "University Historical Society") on March 14, and the society was officially recognized on the 17th. In April, the decision was made for the society to be known by the Greek letters Phi Alpha Theta.  

See more on the Phi Alpha Theta page.

Phi Alpha Theta was established on March 17, 1921 at the University of Arkansas by Professor Nels Cleven. Cleven had become convinced in his time at the university that a fraternity of scholars (which would accept men or women) was important for the study of history. He invited students to a meeting to form the society (then called the "University Historical Society") on March 14, and the society was officially recognized on the 17th. In April, the decision was made for the society to be known by the Greek letters Phi Alpha Theta.    

Phi Alpha Theta is a professional society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. We seek to bring students and teachers together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.   

All members of the honor society are inducted through the local Phi Alpha Theta chapter at their respective college or university.  A one-time initiation fee of $50 is required.  Of that $50, $10 stays with the local chapter to fund events and activities.  This fee includes a membership certificate and four issues of our journal, The Historian. Membership in Phi Alpha Theta is a lifetime membership. There are no additional annual dues or fees. Members who wish to continue supporting the honor society may do so by subscribing to The Historian and/or to our newsletter.  

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours (4 courses) in History, achieve a minimum GPA of 3.1 in History and a GPA of 3.0 or better overall. A maximum of 3 credit hours of online, transfer, or AP credits may be applied to the membership eligibility requirement.  Membership is not limited to History majors.     

Click here for a membership application in the Nu Beta Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta at UW-Whitewater.  Please return that completed application, with the required fee to the Department of History, Laurentide Hall 5221, UW-Whitewater.    

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Karl Brown, UW-Whitewater Phi Alpha Theta (PAT) Faculty Advisor, at brownk@uww.edu. 

The History Club’s purpose is to encourage and foster knowledge and appreciation of history among students, faculty, and members of the community by providing opportunities to share their common interests in historical topics and to engage in social and intellectual exchange. The History Club will sponsor fun events designed to nurture members’ interest in history and expand their knowledge. In our meetings we will plan these events as well as have in-depth discussions about interesting historical topics. You do not have to be a history major or minor, or even have taken any history courses here at UWW—all you need is a passion for discovering the past.

Visit UWW History Club Facebook Here

Introduction

Welcome to the History Major! Each semester, History majors are required to meet with their advisor before they're able to register for courses for the next semester. Approximately 1.5 weeks before advising begins, you will receive a letter sent to your UWW email account to inform you of who your advisor is, where to sign up for an appointment, and how to prepare for your advising session. In addition, your advisor's name should be listed in your WINS information page. If you have not been assigned an advisor since declaring a history major, please call the department office at 262-472-1103 or email history@uww.edu to ensure a history faculty advisor is assigned to you. Usually in both the spring and fall terms, advising takes place two (2) weeks before priority registration begins. During Priority Registration, you are assigned registration start times according to your earned credits. Check WINS for your personal start time. (You are given an end time, but that end time can be ignored. You can continue to register until the end of the first week of class).
Priority Registration dates can be found on the Registrar's administrative calendar.

How can I learn about the different degree programs, requirements, and courses that the History Department at UWW offers?
How do I find out who my advisor is?
Am I required to meet with my advisor?
When do I meet with my advisor and how do I schedule an appointment?
What do I need to do to prepare for my advising appointment?
What is the purpose of the Academic Advising Report (AAR) and how do I understand it?
What happens after my advising meeting?
When may I register for courses?
What is a registration hold?
What should I do if I have trouble registering for a history course I need to take?
How do I declare or change a degree, major, minor, or certificate?
Can I take a class at another university? 
How can I add or drop a class?
I plan to graduate at the end of next semester. What do I need to do? 

How can I learn about the different degree programs, requirements, and courses that the History Department at UWW offers?

The requirements for each History degree program and courses offered can be found in the Undergraduate catalog and Courseleaf page.

How do I find out who my advisor is?

If you have less than 24 credits, your advisor will be in the Academic Advising & Exploration Center.
Once you have earned 24 credits, you will be assigned to an advisor in the History Department. If you are a History BSE major and are admitted into the College of Education, you will also be assigned a licensure advisor.

To find your advisor's name go to the Student Center page of your WINS account. Your advisor's name appears in a box in the lower right hand side of that page. Consult the History Department Faculty/Staff Directory (link to this site) or use the UW-Whitewater Directory Search feature on the UWW homepage to find your advisor's office location, phone number, and email address.

Am I required to meet with my advisor?

Yes, all history majors are required to meet with their advisors before registering for spring and fall semester courses. The department places an advising hold on your account in WINS to ensure you've met with your advisor. Advising is not required before registering for summer courses, but we suggest discussing your plans for summer courses with your advisor when you meet with her/him in the spring to plan for fall registration.

Your academic advisor can help you with questions about requirements for your major and degree well as questions about academic policies. Your advisor can help you select courses that meet your requirements and that are appropriate to your interests and preparation. Advisors can also answer questions about finding campus resources and joining student organizations.

When do I meet with my advisor and how do I schedule an appointment?

Required academic advising in the History Department usually begins two (2) weeks before priority registration and after the Schedule of Classes for the upcoming semester is released by the Registrar's Office. Approximately one week and a half before advising begins, you will receive an attached letter sent to your UWW email account to inform you of who your advisor is, where to sign up for an appointment, key dates, and what you need to do in order to be prepared for your advising session. History majors will come to the 5th floor of Laurentide Hall to sign up for an appointment on their advisor's office door. If circumstances prevent you from meeting during this time period and you would like to meet with your advisor outside of these times, please email or call to him/her to schedule an appointment or visit during their office hours.

What do I need to do to prepare for my advising appointment?

Please come to your advising meeting prepared by reviewing your most current Academic Advising Report (AAR) and prepare a tentative course schedule before you meet with your advisor using the Schedule of Classes.

What is the purpose of the Academic Advising Report (AAR) and how do I understand it?

The Academic Advising Report (AAR) is used to help track your progress in your declared academic program by matching your coursework to requirements. Because it does not monitor every university policy, the AAR is a tool that must be used along with the University Catalog, Schedule of Classes, and advisor recommendations as you plan for graduation.
The AAR has two sections: an unofficial transcript of coursework, followed by an analysis of your degree progress. In general, it will unbold requirements as they are completed.
Please see the Advising page and scroll down to the bottom of the page for more information.

What happens after my advising meeting?

Once you have met with your advisor, you will be given an Advising Assessment survey to complete and deposit into the locked drop box across from the History Department office (LT 5221). The purpose of this confidential survey is to provide feedback to the department on your advising experience. Once you complete the survey, your advising hold will be released in WINS within 1 or 2 business days in order to allow you to register for courses for the upcoming term. Please note, only advising holds can be removed when authorized by the faculty advisor; all other holds will need to be removed from the office that placed a hold on your account.

When may I register for courses?

Go to your Student Center home page in your WINS account and look for a box on the right hand column labeled "Enrollment Dates." Clicking on the link inside that box will take you to a menu of academic terms. Select the button next to the term for which you want to register, then click "continue" for information about when you may register for that term.
Note: You may only register at that time if you have resolved all of your registration holds.

What is a registration hold?

If you have a registration hold that means there is some administrative task you must complete before you may register for courses for the upcoming semester. To find out whether you have any registration holds check the "Holds" box in the right hand column of your Student Center page in your WINS account. Clicking on a particular hold will give you more information about whom to contact about that hold, what type of hold it is, and how to get the hold removed.
A common registration hold is an advising hold placed on all history majors' accounts by the Registrar's Office each March and October. If you have a history advising hold you must meet with your academic advisor and complete an advising survey. Once the meeting and advising evaluation survey are satisfactorily completed, the History ADA will remove your history advising hold. (*Freshmen are automatically excluded because they receive advising from the AAEC in Roseman Hall, not from History advisors.)
Another common hold, abbreviated TAC, is the Terms and Conditions for Enrollment/Credit Agreement. This document contains information for students about their responsibilities for classes for which they register, payment plan information (fall and spring terms only), and charges on student accounts. The document can be viewed and signed electronically by accessing it from the Student Center Page in WINS. A new agreement will be made available prior to the start of registration each term to allow for early completion. You must read and electronically agree by clicking the box each term before being able to enroll in courses.
You may also have a registration hold for a variety of other reasons, including the need to pay a balance on your financial account, addressing lost equipment or textbooks, completing financial aid forms, etc. Academic advisors can help you understand these other holds, but cannot remove the holds. Be sure to check for and take care of holds well before you are scheduled to register for the next semester.

What should I do if I have trouble registering for a history course I need to take?

Please email the instructor of the course, explaining your circumstances, and request permission to enroll in the course. When contacting the instructor, please be sure to include your full name and student ID, course name, number, section and term (i.e. Wisconsin History, HISTRY 311-01 fall 2019 term) you would like to enroll. If the instructor agrees to allow you into the course, he/she will notify the department ADA (Ayn Hess) and she will notify you via your UWW email when you've been given permission to enroll in the course.

How do I declare or change a degree, major, minor, or certificate?

Students will need to fill out the Undergraduate Major/Minor/Certificate form and follow the directions below based on the change being requested. Be sure to fill out the form completely. The left column should list your current degree, major(s), minor(s) or certificate. The right column should list all of your desired degree, major(s), minor(s), or certificate(s), not just what you are changing. If you leave a section of the right column blank that will indicate that you want to drop the corresponding major, minor, or certificate in the right column.

• Major Change - Students should complete the form and take it to their current major's department office. That office will release the advising file (if one is available) to the student to take with the change form to the department office of the new major. The office of the new major will process the request. You must indicate on your form BA, BS, or BSE to declare a History major. Your minor can be declared at a later date if you are undecided, but you are encouraged to declare it as early as possible, but sometime during your sophomore year.
• Adding a Second Major - Students should complete the form and take it to the office of the second major they wish to declare.
• Degree Change - Students should complete the form and take it to their current major's office. History majors have the option of a BA, BS, or a BSE degree. Minor Change - Students should complete the form and take it to their current major's office to declare a minor, drop a minor, or add a second minor. History majors are required to select a minor (or a second major). The L&S Degree Planning Guide is an excellent resource for students to learn the degree requirements and other pertinent information regarding your selected degree program. Also, see pages 14-15 of the guide for a list of acceptable minors.

Can I take a class at another university?

Yes, you can, but you must plan ahead. Please keep your UWW residency requirements (30 units at UWW-including 25% of major & 25% of minor, plus the last 15 units) in mind. If you are taking a history course elsewhere, the university must have an accredited history degree program. If you want to see what classes at other UW system schools might transfer back to UWW, you can use the University of WI Credit Transfer Wizard. Once you finish the class at the other university, you'll need to have your transcripts from that school sent to UWW.

How can I add or drop a class?

The Registrar's Office sets and publishes deadlines for adding and dropping classes, changing class grading bases and withdrawing from the university as part of the Schedule of Classes. Students must adhere to the deadlines to take advantage of tuition/fee refunds and to avoid academic consequences. Nonattendance does not exempt students from their financial and academic responsibilities. To see the deadlines for the current semester, visit the Schedule of Classes page, choose the current semester, and click on the 'Deadlines - Add/Drop, Withdraw, Refund' link. These dates can also be found on the UWW Calendar of Events. If it is before the deadline listed for adding or dropping a course, you can make the change in WINS yourself.
If the deadline to add or drop a course has passed, you may be able to complete a Late Add or Late Drop form. Either requires permission from the instructor of the course and the chair of the department that offers the course, as well as approval from Assistant Dean, Dr. Susan Johnson, if it is a Letters and Sciences (L&S) course. These are not guaranteed and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

I plan to graduate at the end of next semester. What do I need to do?

You should apply to graduate at least one full semester prior to your final term so your academic record can be checked. It is important that your entire academic record is reviewed prior to the final term of enrollment in order to identify any problems and resolve them in time for you to graduate. Be sure you will meet the minimum GPA requirements for graduation, will have completed all of your major, minor, degree, and university requirements, and will have earned at least 120 credits at the end of the term you wish to graduate. It is possible to complete all of the graduation requirements on your AAR with less than 120 credits, but you cannot graduate with less than 120 credits. 

The Undergraduate Research Program (URP) at UW-Whitewater offers history majors a unique opportunity to develop and demonstrate their academic skills as well as their creativity. The program encourages students to carry out a research project of their own choosing, with History faculty guidance and financial support from the Department and University. The final project can be presented in a variety of formats including papers, posters, or creative performances.

URP projects offers opportunities to...

• Pursue topics outside of the classroom, and beyond the normal curriculum
• Conduct independent, archival historical research, with expert guidance and institutional funding.
• Build strong relationships with faculty mentors
• Present your findings publicly, whether at Whitewater or at regional and national conferences, including the statewide Annual UW System Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity, or The National Conference on Undergraduate Research.
• Publish them in journals specific for their work - a list of journals can be found at the Council on Undergraduate Research website.
• Develop proficiencies in research, interviewing, writing, public speaking, and a wide range of relevant skills, applicable across your academic and professional career.
• Build and refine an application to graduate programs, in History and beyond.How to Apply for the UR Program

Students of a sophomore or higher standing with a GPA of 2.75 or above are eligible to apply to the program.  Students must have their project approved by a faculty mentor and the student must be enrolled as a full time undergraduate during the project.  If you are interested in participating in the program, please visit the Undergraduate Research Program website or talk to your history department advisor or any individual professor with whom you would like to explore a research topic.   For further inquiries about the program, contact Undergraduate Research Program, at 262-472-1296 or at urp@uww.edu. Further information on various elements of URP projects can be found at the following sites:

University Links:

• UW-W History Department
• UW-W Undergraduate Research Program
• McNair Program
• University Honors Program

External Links:

• Council on Undergraduate Research
• Annual UW System Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity
• National Conference on Undergraduate Research