The major consists of 40 credit hours of history coursework. It integrates study in a range of periods, geographical areas, and cultural contexts, to develop breadth as well as depth of historical knowledge, as well as sophisticated skills in research and inquiry.
Programs Requirements
Category I: Introductory level
Students complete three courses (12 credit hours) chosen from the following list.
Students considering a major in history should complete Category I by the end of their sophomore year. History majors may substitute other history electives for survey courses if they have received a grade of four or five on an advanced placement exam in history, or a score of 5, 6, or 7 on an international baccalaureate exam in history.
Category II: Specialization
Three courses (12 credit hours) with a specific focus defined by the student. This focus may be geographical (such as Asia, Europe, or the U.S.), thematic (such as race, gender, or revolution) or temporal (such as modern).
Public History: A specialization in public history requires four courses, including three chosen from the following list, with HIST 253 ideally as the first course. The fourth course, HIST 568, is open to advanced undergraduates with Department consent. HIST 568 may also count as Category V.
One course in Category I may count in Category II. HIST 370 may count as Category V.
Category III: Breadth
Three courses (12 credit hours) selected from the three required topic areas below.
Focus on Race and Ethnicity History
Complete one course (4 credit hours) chosen from the following list.
Early or Pre-Modern History
Complete one course (4 credit hours) chosen from the following list.
Advanced undergraduates, with Department consent, may enroll in HIST 571 to fulfill this area requirement.
Historical Gender Studies
Complete one course (4 credit hours) chosen from the following list.
Advanced undergraduates, with Department consent, may enroll in HIST 560 to fulfill this area requirement.
Category IV: Methods
All majors must take HIST 260 in their sophomore or junior year.
| HIST 260 | Interpreting the Past: The Craft of History | 4 |
By petition, students in the accelerated BA/MA History program may enroll in HIST 597 to fulfill the Methods requirement for the undergraduate major.
Category V: Capstone
At least one history course at or above the 350-level. This requirement may be fulfilled with an internship, a thesis, or an independent study. Majors must declare how they plan to fulfill the independent learning requirement before the end of their junior year.
Advanced undergraduate majors, with Department consent, may fulfill this requirement by enrolling in a graduate seminar in history. Consult with your advisor and the current Graduate Catalog to learn more about potential seminar offerings.