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Overview of Requirements

The History major consists of 11 courses in which the curriculum is cross-cultural, transnational, and comparative, allowing students to gain a global perspective.

Requirements:

  • One (1) 100-level Gateway course

  • Three (3) foundation courses

HIS 210 Craft of History:

The purpose of this course is to explore a variety of approaches to the study of history by discovering how the interpretations, writing, and purposes of history have changed over time. We will study and apply various methods used by historians to gather information and draw conclusions. Rather than understanding history merely as “what happened” we will come to understand history as a dynamic relationship between the present and the past, in which people debate and disagree over the meanings and interpretations of historic events.

Two from the following options

HIS 220 Themes in World History to 1500
HIS 230 Themes in World History After 1500
HIS 260 Themes in American History

  • Three (3) 300/400 courses in the following options:

Option One – Geographic Breadth (default for all current students)

Three 300/400 level courses, distributed in three separate regions: Africa/ East Asia/Eurasia/Europe/Middle East/ North America/Latin America/ South Asia/ World

Option Two – Thematic Field

Three 300/400 level courses, selected from the department approved theme options. Theme should be selected and/or approved by the end of the second semester Sophomore year. To replace the geographic breadth with a thematic field, complete the Thematic Field Form.

  • One (1) Additional Course on the 300/400 level (any theme or region)

  • Two (2) Reading Seminars

Seminars are have limited enrollments (15-18) and are taught by faculty members on topics relating to their current research. Readings Seminars involve directed readings, short papers, and oral presentations.

  • One (1) Senior Capstone Seminar (HIS 498 or HIS499)

History faculty work with students to customize their Senior Capstone seminar to study in depth topics of their choosing and to write major research papers based on both primary and secondary sources. Students may apply to undertake an Honors capstone during their senior year. Students writing an Honors capstone enroll in a special Research Seminar that emphasizes historiography and historical methods.

** In order to develop a familiarity with different parts of the world and different moments in the past, students majoring in history must complete two courses in the pre-modern (pre-1500) era.

 

To further explore the major and the experience we offer, please refer to the links below:

Academic Programs

Faculty Led Programs

Courses

U.S. Studies Minor

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