Undergrad | Bachelors | Major-minor |

History

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

Major in History

The major in history provides students with skills in historical research and analysis, a chronological understanding of the past, and factual knowledge of specific historical periods. Study yields an appreciation of United States history, as well as the histories of other peoples and cultures, that enhances multicultural understanding in the workplace and everyday society. Such skills and knowledge prepare students for careers in education, law, government, business, management, public relations, writing, and research.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a major 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.
• Think and read critically and conduct research that includes identifying, evaluating, and presenting with integrity the primary and secondary sources of historical information.
• Demonstrate awareness of the ethical and social issues associated with the writing and interpreting of history.
• Demonstrate an increased awareness of current events and the ability to evaluate these events from a historical perspective.
• Use research opportunities to develop and refine technological skills.
• Write cogent, documented, historical papers that exhibit interpretive skill as well as factual knowledge.

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).

Requirements for the History Major

Coursework for a major in history includes the following:

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) and cross-curricular requirements (in civic responsibility, historical, and international perspectives) 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 English composition courses.

LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)

ENGL 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 105 Mathematics: Contemporary Topics and Applications (3)
or MATH 106 Finite Mathematics
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 HIST 284 East Asian Civilization I
(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 other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory

ENGL 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)

HIST 116 World History II (3)
or HIST 142 Western Civilization I
or HIST 285 East Asian Civilization I
(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)

ENGL 240 Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama (3)
or HUMN 311 Workplace Ethics or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in arts and humanties (discipline must differ from first)

SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts 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(s) to fulfill the second general education requirement in interdisciplinary issues/computing and the cross-curricular requirement for civic responsibility

HUMN 351 Myth and Culture (3)
or other course to fulfill the cross-curricular requirement in international perspective

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

ENGL 391/391X Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ upper-level intensive writing

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 other world regions distribution course (see Requirements for the Major)

Any HIST course (supplemental major course) (3)

Any upper-level supplemental major course (see Requirements for the Major) (3)

Any upper-level supplemental major course (see Requirements for the Major) (3)

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)

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; at least 9 credits must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above). Specific course requirements are listed below. If a specific course required for the minor is taken instead to satisfy the requirements for the major, another course in the same discipline should be substituted to fulfill the required minimum number of credits for the minor. Any course used to replace an upper-level course should also be classified as upper level.

History Minor Courses
(to be taken in the last 60 credits with required and supplemental major courses)

Required Course

HIST 309 Introduction to Historical Writing (3)

Supplemental Minor Courses

Note: Courses applicable to the supplemental course categories are listed as distribution courses for the history major.

One upper-level HIST course in U.S. history (3)

One upper-level HIST course in European history (3)

One upper-level HIST course in world regions history (3)

Any HIST course (3)

Total credits for minor in history (15)

For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor's degree, students should refer to the overall bachelor's degree requirements.

Last updated: 10 October 2006