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Department of

History

Major and Minor

Students studying in Linderman Library.

The History Major and Minor

Major Requirements

Students have two options in pursuing a History Major: one emphasizes geographic breadth and the other a thematic track. With departmental approval students may also pursue History Honors.

Option 1: History Major - Geographic Breadth

  • A minimum of 35 Credits (typically 9 courses) in History
  • HIST 001: Time Travel: How to Make History required (4 credits)
  • HIST 302: The Capstone Experience required (4 credits)
  • From the 35 credits, majors must have 12 credits (3 courses) at 303 and above; and 4 credits (1 course) in the pre-1800 period.  
  • One course from each of 4 categories below, for a total of 4 courses (16 credits):
    • North America (041, 042, 043, 105, 1XX, 110, 112, 120, 124, 125, 126, 130, 135, 136, 179, 315, 319, 320, 323, 325,332, 336,367)
    • Europe (012, 015, 017, 021, 022, 150, 154, 183, 347, 348, 350, 354)
    • Latin America (049, 050, 149, 3XX, 368)
    • Africa (005, 130, 131,134, 176, 178, 322, 330, 331, 341)
    • Asia (031, 080)
    • Transnational (025, 031, 049, 050, 1AA,1CC, 176, 101, 107, 112, 149, 322, 330, 331, 341, 348, 352, 354)

Option 2: History Major - Thematic Track

  • A minimum of 35 Credits (typically 9 courses) in History
  • HIST 001: Time Travel: How to Make History required (4 credits)
  • HIST 302: The Capstone Experience required (4 credits)
  • From the 35 credits, majors should have 12 credits (3 courses) at 303 and above (excepting HIST 306); 4 credits (1 course) in the pre-1800 period; and 4 credits (1 course) in Latin American, African or Asian History. 
  • 3 courses in one of the following Tracks (12 credits): 
    • Global Connections (005, 012, 015, 017, 025, 031,049, 080, 101, 107, 112, 176,178, 184, 1AA, 1CC, 1XX,183, 319, 322, 3ZZ, 330, 331, 341, 347, 348, 352, 367)
    • Women, Gender, and Sexuality (041, 042, 043, 124, 125, 131,135, 136, 322, 325)
    • War, Empire, and Revolution (012, 015, 031, 041, 043, 049, 050, 080, 101, 110, 120, 136, 315, 319, 347, 348, 352, 3ZZ) 
    • Race, Ethnicity, and Diasporas (041, 042, 043, 049, 096, 1CC, 1XX, 112,126, 127, 130, 135, 136, 179, 319, 320, 330, 331, 332, 341, 351, 354, 367)
    • Religion, Thought, and Culture (015, 017, 041, 042, 043, 096, 134, 154, 328,  351, 354, 356)
    • Medicine, Science, Technology, and Environment (007, 008, 025, 107,112, 118, 176, 178, 315)
    • Build Your Own Track (department approval is required)

With Department approval, majors may take one relevant course outside of History to fulfill track requirements. 

Requirements for Honors

  • Fulfillment of Major requirements
  • minimum of 3.5 GPA in courses presented for the Major
  • HIST 393 (4 credits) and HIST 394 (4 credits): Honors Thesis

With departmental approval these courses may substitute for the 302 The Capstone Experience.

Minor Requirements

Each student's minor program is prepared in consultation with the advisor of minors in the history department. Advanced placement credit may not be used for the minor program.

  • 15 credits
  • At least 4 credits at 200 or 300 level
  • Maximum of one course (4 credits) of transfer or cross-listed courses may count toward minor.