History Major

The study of history is an important component of a meaningful and comprehensive liberal arts education. As such our major provides a unique opportunity for students to understand how the past informs our understanding of the present. The history major encompasses a series of courses that examine human dynamics, over time, from a disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspective. In addition to focusing on content, the history major develops and enhances discipline specific skills that will serve in any future endeavors.

As a result of majoring in history, the student will be able to
1. define, explore, and explain major historical problems
2. develop research skills required to investigate those problems fully
3. employ critical methods to analyze those problems
4. prepare formal papers and presentations that reflect research, critical analysis, and layered literacies that follow disciplinary conventions
5. engage in collaborative scholarship
6. develop and defend independent theses

With these skills in hand, the student will be in a position to compete for admission into a variety of fields, including graduate study and law school. The history major will also be prepared for careers in the public and private sectors of the work place. These include education, the museum profession, library science and community or foreign service.

Requirements

The history major is a writing infused endeavor, and therefore, we require that all history majors successfully complete English 103/193, English Composition, before they become a history major. Also, like the English department, the History department considers a minimum grade of C as successful completion. To receive the B.A. in history, the student is required to complete successfully a minimum of eleven courses in history or forty-four credit hours with a grade of C or better. 

• Area of Concentration (3)
• History Methods Sequence (SHIS 201, 202)  (2)
• World History Sequence (SHIS 302, 303) (2)
• Senior Research Project (SHIS402)
• Major Electives (outside of the area of concentration, including at least one thematic course, and no more than one course at the 200 level)  (3)

Major Electives
The three electives for the major are to be taken outside of the concentration. At least one of these electives must be a thematic course. No more than 1 of these 3 Elective courses can be at the survey (200) level.