Oklahoma State University Department of History Records
Collection
Identifier: 1996-107
Scope and Contents
Collection contains the records of the Oklahoma State University Department of History, including course syllabi, newsletters, announcements, memos faculty papers, alumni information and Master’s Reports. It includes information on Big 8 History Departments and OSU History Department projects, including Angie Debo and Tell-El-Hesi archaeological dig. Master’s Reports contained in box 4 of this collection have been cataloged with a Thesis call number. In addition, they are entered into the thesis database with a location of this collection number.
Dates
- 1920-2013
Creator
- Oklahoma State University. Department of History. (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the Oklahoma Open Records Act (http://www.odl.state.ok.us/lawinfo/docs/2006-LibraryLaws-PartE.pdf), and other relevant regulations. Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Oklahoma State University Libraries assumes no responsibility.
Conditions Governing Use
The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, Oklahoma State University Archives will provide information about copyright owners and related information. Securing permission to publish or use material is the responsibility of the researcher. Note that unless specifically transferred to Oklahoma State University Libraries, any applicable copyrights may be held by another individual or entity. Copyright for material published by Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College/Oklahoma State University is held by the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. All rights reserved.
Further information about copyright policy can be obtained by contacting Oklahoma State University Archives by email at libscua@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-744-6311.
Finding aid © 2017 Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. All rights reserved.
Administrative History
During the early years of Oklahoma A&M College, history was taught on a part time basis by instructors from a variety of disciplines. The head of the history department was also responsible for pedagogy, political economy and social science. Under the direction of Dean Lowry L. Lewis, History separated from pedagogy and became a distinct department. The department remained small until the 1920s. President Bradford Knapp and Dean Clarence H. McElroy worked to rehabilitate not only history, but also other liberal arts subjects. In 1925 the name of the department was changed to History and Government. Knapp also encouraged the overlapping of history with economics, government and sociology.
Thomas H. Reynolds was selected to head the history department in the summer of 1926. Reynolds used his political connections to help the department and faculty grow. Under his guidance new professors were hired and requirements were added or enforced for undergraduate history courses. During the Depression and World War II, the department decreased in size. Political Science separated from the department in 1944 resulting in an even smaller department. Change would come in the mid-fifties when the history department experienced growth similar to other departments on campus. In 1955 there were four majors; by 1965 there were 163 majors and 42 master’s candidates.
Graduate courses were first announced in the 1926 college catalog; however, courses leading to a master’s degree had been offered since 1923. It was not until 1968 that a Ph.D. program was approved for the history department.
Thomas H. Reynolds was selected to head the history department in the summer of 1926. Reynolds used his political connections to help the department and faculty grow. Under his guidance new professors were hired and requirements were added or enforced for undergraduate history courses. During the Depression and World War II, the department decreased in size. Political Science separated from the department in 1944 resulting in an even smaller department. Change would come in the mid-fifties when the history department experienced growth similar to other departments on campus. In 1955 there were four majors; by 1965 there were 163 majors and 42 master’s candidates.
Graduate courses were first announced in the 1926 college catalog; however, courses leading to a master’s degree had been offered since 1923. It was not until 1968 that a Ph.D. program was approved for the history department.
Extent
3 Linear feet (2 records boxes, 1 letter box)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Arranged into two series.
Location
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog or contact the Oklahoma State University Archives Reference staff.
Processing Information
Processed by
Mildred L. Jackson, 1996
Updated by Rebecca Perry, December 2008; Sally Miller-Downing, July 2013; Courtney Smith and Mercedes Mace, June 2016.
Updated by Rebecca Perry, December 2008; Sally Miller-Downing, July 2013; Courtney Smith and Mercedes Mace, June 2016.
- History -- Outlines, syllabi, etc.
- History -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Oklahoma.
- Oklahoma A & M College. Department of History.
- Oklahoma A & M College. Department of History. -- History -- Sources.
- Oklahoma State University. Department of History.
- Oklahoma State University. Department of History. -- History -- Sources.
Creator
- Oklahoma State University. Department of History. (Organization)
- Oklahoma A & M College. Department of History. (Organization)
- Title
- Oklahoma State University Department of History Records Collection Number 1996-107
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Mildred L. Jackson
- Date
- 1996
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Oklahoma State University Archives Repository
Contact:
204 Edmon Low Library
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater 74078-1071 USA
libscua@okstate.edu
204 Edmon Low Library
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater 74078-1071 USA
libscua@okstate.edu