Nov 01, 2014 10:20 PM EDT By J Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

The University of Oklahoma is collaborating with A&E Network's History Channel to offer the first television network-branded online course for credit.

The "United States, 1865 to the Present" course will involve professionally produced video lectures, discussion groups and social interactions, as well as integrated assets from the History Channel, Variety.com reported. The 16-week class will be taught by University of Oklahoma professor and historian Steve Gillon.

"This course, combining the best in education and entertainment, brings together the resources and talents of a flagship state university and a national television network to present new ways of learning about the past," Gillon told Variety. "With this course, we hope to spark the imagination of a new generation of students, ignite their interest in the study of history, and inspire them to learn more about how the past shapes the world we live in today."

The course will be offered during the upcoming spring semester, officially beginning Jan. 12. It will provide a way for college students or a lifelong learner to earn three transferable credits.

"When the University of Oklahoma's tradition of academic excellence is combined with the storytelling ability and content from History channel, students everywhere will have an opportunity to enroll in a new, high-quality course that is designed to be interactive and engaging," university President David L. Boren said in a statement. "The first course being offered is U.S. history, but our intent is for the number of courses offered to continue to grow."

 The "United States, 1865 to the Present" is priced at $500 for current college students seeking to meet graduation requirements and high school students looking to jump-start a college education. For lifelong learners, the class will only cost $250.

"Through this partnership, we are working to help lower the cost of education for college students, while extending new opportunities to lifelong learners everywhere," Boren said.

Enrollment for the 16-week course began on Oct. 28.

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