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.

Intended Program Outcomes

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 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 (indicated by Required by major); 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).

Requirements for the History Major

Coursework for a major in history includes the following:

  • 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, 375, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 443, or 448
  • World regions distribution course (3 credits): HIST 341, 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
  • Required capstone course (3 credits): HIST 495

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.

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.

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 already applied toward other degree requirements (e.g., major or general education) may not be applied toward the minor. Prerequisites apply for all courses.

For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor's degree, students should refer to their major and 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 Introduction to Research (1)

WRTG 101 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)

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

HIST 115Required by major 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 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 303 Advanced Application Software

HIST 116Required by major 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)

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 156Required by major History of the United States to 1865 (3)

ARTH 372 History of Western Art I (3)
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 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 second general education requirement in interdisciplinary issues/computing

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

HIST 289Required by major 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

HIST 309Required by major Historical Writing (3)

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

HIST 337Required by major Europe's Bloodiest Century (3)
or other European distribution course
(see Requirements for the Major)

HIST 481Required by major History of China from the Opium War to Deng Xiaoping (3)

or HIST 483 History of Japan since the Late Edo Period
or other world regions distribution course
(see Requirements for the Major)

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

Capstone Course for the Major

(to be taken after all other courses for the major)

HIST 495Required by major 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


UMUC Europe Undergraduate Catalog


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Last updated: 30 June 2011