The history major prepares students to read and analyze historical works with critical insight and appreciate the range and variety of resources, as well as demonstrate knowledge of the development and cultural diversity of their respective areas of study. Students develop their research skills using libraries, archives, and online sources to acquire a sense of intellectual property and the responsibility of presenting and interpreting historical issues. They also develop writing skills to clearly express their findings using the language of the discipline. The history major prepares students for graduate study in history and for careers in education, writing and publishing, journalism, law, public relations, business, government, and management.

The student who graduates with a Major in History will be able to

• Demonstrate an understanding of historical methods and recognize how history is written and interpreted over major periods.



• Demonstrate a chronological understanding of the diverse peoples, events, and cultures that have shaped human civilization.



• Recognize and employ critical thinking in analyzing and presenting history.



• Demonstrate awareness of the ethical and social issues associated with the writing and interpreting of history.



• Evaluate current events from a historical perspective.



• Conduct research and identify, evaluate, and present information using primary and secondary sources.

A degree with a major in history requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 33 credits for the major (indicated by Δ); 41 credits in general education requirements; and 46 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 17 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Coursework for a major in history includes the following:

• Required U.S. history sequence (6 credits): HIST 156 and 157
• Required methodology course (3 credits): HIST 309
• World history sequence (6 credits): HIST 115-116, HIST 141-142, or HIST 284-285
• U.S. distribution course (3 credits): HIST 255, 266, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 372, 376, 377, 381, 453, 460, 461, 462, 463, or 467
• European distribution course (3 credits): HIST 324, 325, 326, 327, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 358, 375, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 443, or 448
• World regions distribution course (3 credits): HIST 284, 285, 341, 342, 353, 354, 382, 383, 389, 391, 392, 464, 465, 466, 480, 481, 482, 483, or 485
• Supplemental major courses (9 credits): Any HIST courses

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the Major in History. Since some recommended courses fill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) may be found on the GER page.

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)
Note: Placement tests are required for MATH and WRTG courses.

LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)

WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 107 College Algebra (3)
or MATH 106 or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

Δ HIST 115 World History I (3)
or HIST 141 Western Civilization I
or HIST 284 East Asian Civilization I
(first course in required world history sequence for the major)

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or a foreign language course
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, or literature course to satisfy the arts and humanities requirement

Both BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology
or other course(s) to satisfy the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement

WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the communications/writing requirement

GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to satisfy the first behavioral and social sciences requirement

IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)
or CMST 303 Advanced Applications Software

Δ HIST 116 World History II (3)
or HIST 142 Western Civilization II
or HIST 285 East Asian Civilization II
(second course in required world history sequence for the major)

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

Δ HIST 156 History of the United States to 1865 (3)

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology
or other course to satisfy the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to satisfy the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement

Δ HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 (3)

ARTH 370 History of World Art I (3)
or other ARTH or HIST course to satisfy the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)

SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts
or other course to satisfy the communications/writing or speech requirement

IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
or other course(s) to satisfy the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement

HUMN 351 Myth and Culture (3)
(recommended elective)

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

WRTG 391 Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to satisfy the communications/upper-level intensive writing requirement

Δ HIST 309 Introduction to Historical Writing (3)

Δ HIST 364 Emergence of Modern America: 1900 to 1945 (3)
or other U.S. distribution course for the major

Δ HIST 336 Europe in the 19th Century: 1815 to 1919 (3)
or other European distribution course for the major

Δ HIST 481 History of Modern China (3)
or any world regions history course for the major

Δ HIST 365 Recent America: 1945 to the Present (3)
or other supplemental major course

Δ HIST 337 Europe’s Bloodiest Century (3)
or other supplemental major course

Δ HIST 465 World War II (3)
or other supplemental major course

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (43)

Total credits for BA in History: 120