History, B.A.

History encompasses all aspects of human experience in the past. Historians study past events to understand their causes and consequences. Analyzing the past helps students understand why the present developed as it has. It builds skills of critical analysis, research and writing that can be applied to help solve the problems facing the world today.

What Can You Do With a Degree in History?

~ Teaching, graduate school

~ Museums and public history

~ Law, government, public policy

~ Nonprofit organizations

~ Research, library and information science, archives

~ Intelligence and security

Required:

HIST 104 - Introduction to History: Medieval Heroes: Myth or History CR: 3
OR
HIST 114 - History Detectives CR: 3
HIST 135 - America, Origins to 1865 CR: 3
OR
HIST 136 - The United States, 1865 to the Present CR: 3
HIST 143 - Early Modern Europe, 1350-1650 CR: 3
POLS 142 - Modern Europe CR: 3

Senior Exercise:

HIST 452 - Senior Seminar CR: 3

Additional history courses:

Choose 4 additional three-credit courses in history, 3 of which must be at the 300-level or above.

Additional elective courses:

Choose 3 elective courses from the following:

Note(s):

Only 1 directed, special, or independent study (3 credits) may count toward the major.

For the major in history, the P/CR/NC grading option may not be exercised for any course which could count toward the major. Additional information about the P/CR/NC grading option is available under the Academic Policies and Procedures heading in this catalog.

Interested in Graduate/Professional Programs?

If you are interested in pursuing graduate or professional programs for history, the following areas of study are recommended in addition to the requirements listed above:

As many additional courses in archaeology and ancient studies, economics, history, philosophy, and/or political science as desired.
Skill in a foreign language is highly recommended.

Interested in Law School?

If you are interested in pursuing law school, the following ares of study are recommended in addition to the requirements listed above:

Thorough training in argumentation, research, and expository writing skills (not creative writing), especially courses in history and philosophy, is recommended.
Familiarity with American government and international relations is also highly recommended.
Courses in psychology are also recommended.

Interested in Museum Studies?

If you are interested in pursuing graduate or professional programs for museum studies, the following courses/program of study are recommended in addition to the requirements listed above:

DART 123 - Art, Science, and History Onstage: The Smithsonian CR: 3
HIST 220 - Introduction to Public History CR: 3
Completion of the Arts Management Certificate .