Fields of Study

Students must take at least two courses in three fields of study. No more than 3 courses in each concentration will count towards the major.

Total Program Credits: 39

Note(s)

The major concentration in history has a 21-credit residency requirement.

Please note that the history major’s course numbering system reflects the different types and objectives of courses offered at each level. The different course levels are not distinguished by the amount of work expected, but rather by their objective, background knowledge they presume, and complexity of the ideas presented to students.

100-level courses

These courses are open to all students and are intended to provide a basic understanding of the history of peoples and geographic regions over relatively long time spans. They will provide students with the background necessary for more advanced study and most meet the University’s General Education requirements. They are appropriate for all students at every level of the institution.

Courses include: 

• HIST 101 European History to 1500   
• HIST 102 European History Since 1500  
• HIST 105 American History Through 1877  
• HIST 106 American History Since 1877  
• HIST 117 Introduction to Asian History  
• HIST 118 Introduction African History  
• HIST 119 Intro Latin American History    

200-level courses

These courses are largely open to all students (a few may require Prerequisites in addition to successful completion of ENGL 111    ) and are intended to be a more focused examination of a particular group, smaller geographic region, or more contracted time frame. They will provide students with more advanced study on a comparatively smaller subject. They are appropriate for majors and non-majors, but are not suitable for incoming freshmen or new transfer students without prior history credits. By having a narrower focus, the ideas and complexity of the course is greater than those offered at the 100-level. Note: this does not apply to HIST 295 - Topics in History .

300-level courses

A larger number of these courses may require Prerequisites. These courses have narrower foci and introduce more complicated theoretical models and historiography. They are intended for majors, but will admit non-majors who meet admission requirements. Non-majors interested in the subject or possessing modest background knowledge can be successful in these courses.

400-level courses

Capstone course taken during senior year.

The History Minor

15 Credits

Students who choose to Minor in the History Concentration Must Complete:

Students must take 4 courses at the 200 level and above slotted under the five fields of study: United States, Europe, Asia, Atlantic World, and Ideas, Theories, and Practices.

In addition, History Minors are required to take HIST 220 - Intro Research Methods , a course focused upon historical methodology. This requires successful completion of ENGL 111    . History minors are not required to take HIST 320  or HIST 495 .

The 4+1 Program

History majors planning on pursuing a career in teaching Social Studies at the Middle Childhood and/or Adolescence Education level may apply to the Four-Plus-One Program, offered jointly by the School of Education and the School of Liberal Arts. The program is designed to allow majors to begin their Graduate Education coursework during their upper junior year. These courses will be counted jointly towards their undergraduate and graduate degrees. For specific program eligibility and requirements, please refer to the School of Education  section.