Major in History
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
- Organize and use primary and secondary sources for research, interpretation, and presentation of historical knowledge.
- Convey historical information by writing and speaking clearly and appropriately for different audiences and with an appreciation of diverse viewpoints.
- Engage in history as a moral and ethical practice, recognizing a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.
- Cultivate historical habits of mind, apply historical precedents to contemporary developments, remain open to historical interpretation as an incomplete process, and develop self-reflection to mitigate bias.
- Demonstrate a chronological understanding of the different peoples, events, and cultures that have shaped human civilization.
Degree Requirements
A degree with a major in History requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 33 credits for the major; 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).
The following course sequence outlines all the requirements for the BA in History. Coursework for the major is indicated by Δ. Since some recommended courses fulfill 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.
Requirements for the History Major
- Foundation course (3 credits): HIST 289
- 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 or HIST 141-142
- U.S. distribution course (3 credits): HIST 360, 361, 362, 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, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 443, or 448
- World regions distribution course (3 credits): HIST 342, 353, 354, 382, 383, 389, 392, 464, 465, 466, 480, 481, 482, 483, or 485
- Supplemental major course (3 credits): Any upper-level HIST course
- Capstone course (3 credits): HIST 495
Recommended Sequence
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.
History Degree Courses
First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)
Note: Placement tests are required for MATH and WRTG courses.
LIBS 150 Introduction to Research (1)
WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)
or WRTG 101S Introduction to Writing
MATH 103 College Mathematics (3)
or a higher-level math courseIntroductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)
PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or HUMN 100 Introduction to Humanities
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature, or foreign language course to fulfill the first general education requirement in arts and humanities
BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology
or other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirements in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory
WRTG 293 Introduction to Professional Writing (3)
or other communications/writing course
Δ HIST 115 World History I (3)
or HIST 141 Western Civilization I
(or other first course in required world history sequence for the major)
GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or BEHS 103 Technology in Contemporary Society
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences
IFSM 201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology (3)
or CMST 301 Digital Media and Society
Δ HIST 116 World History II (3)
or HIST 142 Western Civilization II
or other second course in required world history sequence for the majorFoundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences (discipline must differ from first)
NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
Δ HIST 156 History of the United States to 1865 (3)
ARTH 372 History of Western Art I (3)
or HIST 125 Technological Transformation or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the general education requirement in arts and humanities for historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
SPCH 100 Foundations of Oral Communication (3)
or SPCH 101 Introduction to Public Speaking
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications, writing, or speech
CMIS 111 Social Networking and Cybersecurity Best Practices (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/writing or speech
Δ HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 (3)
Δ HIST 289 Historical Methods (3)
Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)
WRTG 391 Advanced Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the upper-level advanced writing requirement
Δ HIST 309 Historical Writing (3)
Δ HIST 364 Emergence of Modern America: 1900 to 1945 (3)
or other U.S. distribution course
Δ HIST 337 Europe’s Bloodiest Century (3)
or other European distribution course
Δ HIST 481 History of China from the Opium Wars to Deng Xiaoping (3)
or HIST 483 History of Japan Since 1800
or other world regions distribution course
Δ HIST 465 World War II (3)
or other supplemental courseCapstone Course for Major (to be taken after all other courses for the major)
Δ HIST 495 Senior Thesis in History (3)
Minor and/or Elective Courses
(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (46)
Total credits for BA in History: 120
