The History program of the Department of History, Geography and GIS at Tarleton State University offers a Bachelor’s degree through courses with a variety of topics taught by exceptional faculty. The undergraduate degree path provide students with exciting opportunities to explore how historians investigate, analyze, and write about history. The focus is on critical thinking and writing, as history is about solving problems, investigating mysteries, and writing clearly and persuasively. The skills gained in this program can be applied in nearly any career. You can learn more about the History B.A. program by checking out our degree page.

The strength of this program is evident in the quality students and faculty. From scholarly publications with major presses to excellence in the classroom, our faculty offer a wide range of specializations, quality instruction, and mentoring in research, conference presentations, and career preparation. Students have opportunities to engage in many activities from research and presentations related to courses, study abroad and away programs, campus student organizations, internships, area opportunities in local and public history, and much more. We welcome you to contact our department or one of the faculty listed below for more information.

Student Spotlight

“The value of a History degree is found in more than simply remembering dates and names. When studying history one is not only studying past events, but the recorded history of human nature. We can use the past directly to provide solutions for today. A degree in History develops skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and identifying patterns and connections.”

Chris Cloninger, History Student

The Humanities in American Life

According to a 2019 report from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences titled “The Humanities in American Life,” 87% of Americans believe that the humanities help us develop important life skills, 86% believe humanities strengthen democracy, 73% believe they make the economy stronger and 84% of Americans “frequently use at least one humanities skill in their jobs.”

History Faculty

NameTitleExpertiseDegree-granting InstitutionOfficePhone
Dr. Jensen BranscombeAssociate Professor and Department HeadUnited States Immigration; Women and Gender History; Modern United States History

Ph.D. Texas Christian UniversityO.A. Grant Building, Room 355254-968-0596
Dr. Jahue AndersonInstructorEnvironmental History; Agricultural History; Rural History; Gilded Age and Progressive EraPh.D. Texas Christian UniversityO.A. Grant Building, Room 348254-459-5433
Dr. Paul BandaAssistant ProfessorWorld History; British Imperial History; Modern African History; History of Development and the Cold War; The Colonial and Post-Colonial State in Africa; Historical MethodsPh.D. West Virginia UniversityO.A. Grant Building, Room 349254-968-9286
Dr. Aaron GeorgeAssistant ProfessorModern United States History; History of Gender and Sexuality; United States LGBT History; United States Intellectual and Cultural HistoryPh.D. Ohio State UniversityO.A. Grant Building, Room 347254-968-9515
Dr. John HarrisInstructor
United States History; Caribbean History
Ph.D. University of Texas at ArlingtonO.A. Grant Building, Room 389254-968-9584
Dr. Christopher HickmanAssociate ProfessorLegal History; the Political History of the United States; the American Presidency; American Film and Media History; American Social Thought; United States Foreign Relations History; the Cold WarPh.D. The George Washington UniversityO.A. Grant Building, Room 361254-968-9629
Dr. Deborah LilesAssociate Professor &
W. K. Gordon Endowed Chair
Texas History; United States Agriculture and Ranching History; American Slavery; American Gold and Silver Rushes; Texas Women’s History; Public HistoryPh.D. University of North TexasO.A. Grant Building, Room 364254-968-9305
Dr. Steven PeachAssociate ProfessorIndigenous Peoples; Early America; Native South; Race, Gender, and ColonialismPh.D. University of North Carolina GreensboroO.A. Grant Building, Room 351254-968-9086
Mr. Ted RobertsSenior Instructor, Leadership and Military CollegeUS Military History; US Defense Policy and Military AffairsMA, Tarleton State University
Dr. Gregory TaylorProfessional Associate ProfessorSouthern History, American Radicalism, Carceral Studies Ph.D. University of Mississippi O.A. Grant Building, Room 378254-968-9077
Dr. Franziska YostInstructorUnited States History; Russian History Ph.D. University of IllinoisO.A. Grant Building, Room 370254-595-7093