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    Undergrad | Bachelors |

History

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in history.

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.

Objectives

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 writing and interpreting history.
• Evaluate current events from a historical perspective.
• Conduct research and identify, evaluate, and present information using primary and secondary resources.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in history requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework including 33 credits for the major (indicated by ); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); 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).

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all of the requirements for the BA in history. 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 academic 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 in the General Education Requirements.

History Major Courses

First Courses

(to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)

WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 103 College Mathematics (3)
or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses

(to be taken within the first 30 credits)

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

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
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 requirement in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory

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

GVPT 170 American Government (3)
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 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)
or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software

HIST 116 World History II (3)
or HIST 142 Western Civilization I
(or other second course in required world history sequence for the major)

Foundation Courses

(to be taken within the first 60 credits)

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 fulfill the second general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences
(discipline must differ from first)

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences

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

ARTH 370 History of World Art
or other ARTH
or HIST course to fulfill the general education requirement in arts and humanities for the historical perspective
(discipline must differ from other humanities course)

SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or SPCH 101 Introduction to Public Speaking
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/writing
or speech

IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in interdisciplinary issues/computing

HUMN 351 Myth and Culture 3
(recommended elective)

Additional Required Courses

(to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

WRTG 391/391X Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the upper-level advanced writing requirement

HIST 309 Introduction to Historical Writing (3)

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

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

HIST 481 History of Modern China (3)
or HIST 483 History of Japan since 1800
or other world regions distribution course
(see Requirements for the Major)

HIST 365 Recent America: 1945 to Present (3)
or other supplemental major course
(see Requirements for the Major)

HIST 337 Europe’s Bloodiest Century (3)
or other supplemental major course
(see Requirements for the Major)

HIST 465 World War II (3)
or other supplemental major course
(see Requirements for the Major)

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

Required for the major

Minor in History

The history minor complements the skills the student gains in his or her major discipline by offering a historical perspective and by developing critical thinking and an appreciation of the major contributions of various events and individuals to human civilization.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a minor in history will be able to

• Demonstrate an understanding of historical methods and appreciate how history has been written and interpreted over recorded time.
• Articulate how he or she is uniquely affected by the United States historical experience.
• Demonstrate a chronological understanding of the diverse peoples, events, and cultures that have shaped human civilization.
• Demonstrate an increased awareness of current events and the ability to evaluate these events from a historical perspective.

Requirements for the Minor

A minor in history requires the completion of 15 credits of coursework in history. All HIST courses apply. Students are recommended to take HIST 309 after all other courses in the minor.

At least 9 credits must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above). Courses may not duplicate those used to meet the requirements for the major. Prerequisites apply for all courses.

For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor’s degree, students should refer to their major and and the General Education Requirements.

Last updated: 10 August 2009