History B.A.

Mission Statement

The Bachelor of Arts in History provides students with the educational tools and framework necessary for understanding major thematic issues in history, for exploring the everyday lives of people of different times and cultures, and for succeeding in a variety of professions and/or post-graduate study. The History major challenges students to think about the diversity of human existence, past and present, by examining how politics, social structure, cultures, geographies, and lived experiences have changed over time.

Through the study of history, students will develop the qualities of mind necessary for responsible citizenship in the 21st century and acquire an appreciation for the diversity of human experience and a capacity to understand the historical dimensions of contemporary problems across global communities. They will graduate with the ability to synthesize information from primary and secondary sources (whether of a print, visual, or material nature) in order to produce cogent arguments and sound historical narrative through a variety of mediums. Students of History will be prepared to contribute to our knowledge of the past with new discoveries and understandings.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate the basic historical knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to understand different perspectives about the past and the complex multicultural world we live in today.
  • Demonstrate an ability to perform serious historical research and an understanding of historical methodologies, historical theory, and historiography.
  • Understand the use and misuse of historical argument and make connections between individual events and larger historical themes.
  • Demonstrate a familiarity with the histories of injustice and movements for social change.

Curriculum

Recommended Schedule

A recommended course sequence for History B.A. is provided for students as guidance to complete their major in four years.

College Core Curriculum (31-44)

English (3-8 credits)

Refer to the English section of the Core Curriculum

Study and Technology Skills (0-3 credits)

Refer to the Study and Technology Skills section of the Core Curriculum

Mathematics (3-5 credits)

Refer to the Mathematics section of the Core Curriculum

Natural Sciences (7-8 credits)

Refer to the Natural Sciences section of the Core Curriculum

Social Sciences (3 credits)

Refer to the Social Sciences section of the Core Curriculum

Fine Arts (3 credits)

Refer to the Fine Arts section of the Core Curriculum

Humanities (6 credits)

Refer to the Humanities section of the Core Curriculum

Constitution (3-6 credits)

Refer to the Constitution section of the Core Curriculum

Cultural Diversity (3 credits)

Refer to Cultural Diversity section of the Core Curriculum

Major Requirements (36)

HIST 101US History to 1877

3.00

HIST 102US History Since 1877

3.00

HIST 251Historical Investigation

3.00

HIST 499Senior Seminar in History

3.00

Additional history (24)

  • At least eighteen (18) credits total must be at the 300-level or above. Course must be approved by the history advisor
  • From these 24 credits, at least nine (9) must be selected from courses that fulfill either of the following requirements:
    • Primarily emphasize cultural and social diversity within the United States (e.g. Latinos in the American West, African-American History, US Women's History, Modern Jewish History, etc.)
    • Primarily focus on non-European and non-American history (e.g. African, Asian, Middle Eastern, or Latin American history)
Approved classes for either are:
HIST 211History of East Asia I

3.00

HIST 212History of East Asia II

3.00

HIST 320Hispanic Culture in the US

3.00

HIST 418American Indian Relations

3.00

HIST 424Role of Religion in US Culture

3.00

HIST 432History of Women in the US

3.00

HIST 433African-American History

3.00

HIST 436Nazi Holocaust from American Perspective

3.00

HIST 444Latinos in the American West

3.00

HIST 449History of Japan

3.00

HIST 450Modern Chinese History

3.00

HIST 467Modern Jewish History

3.00

HIST 470History of Mexico

3.00

HIST 478Middle Eastern Studies

3.00

Summary of credit requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in History

 College Core Curriculum
 31-45
 Major Requirements
 36
 Electives (at least 18 credits must be Upper Division)
 39-53
 Total Credits
 120