The Department offers a broad range of courses with emphases in the United States, Europe, and World (including Africa, Latin America, and East Asia).
All members of the History Department are fluent in at least one other language besides English. All have traveled extensively and have done research outside the United States. Our personal teaching styles and approaches to history may vary, but we share important assumptions about teaching and learning history.
We regard wide and critical reading as essential for a broadening of knowledge and experience. The ability to organize material and ask critical questions is vital for working with historical sources and the skill of effective writing as the ultimate key to the enterprise.
We rely on close faculty/student interaction in class discussion and on individual teaching and advising to help foster the development of these skills. While we want you to gain a sense of your own cultural roots, we also insist on a comparative perspective and some significant knowledge of the rich cultural diversity of the past.
How do I get a degree in History?
History majors are required to take 11-14 history courses totaling 44-48 credits. All Majors must take the two core courses HIST 396: Philosophy & Methods and HIST 496: Senior Seminar Capstone. Majors must also concentrate in one of the three options outlined below. Students also take upper division courses outside their field to give them a well-rounded education in historical studies.
European Option
Students are required to take both Western Civilization surveys, two non-European surveys along with HIST 396 and HIST 496. Then students must take three upper-division European and three upper-division non-European courses.
United States Option
Students are required to take both U.S. surveys, two non-U.S. surveys along with HIST 396 and HIST 496. Then students must take three upper-division U.S. and three upper-division non-U.S. courses.
World Option
Students are required to take a two-course survey sequence in the World Option (which includes African, World Civilization, East Asian, or Latin American), one each of a U.S. and Western Civilization survey, along with HIST 396 and HIST 496. Then students must take three upper-division World and three upper-division non-World courses.
Social Studies Option
Students prepare for middle and high school careers in teaching. Drawing from different disciplines, students acquire the content, historical methods, and teaching experiences necessary for contributing to the field of education and the next generation of citizens.
History Minor
A total of six courses from at least two different instructors must be taken. Three must be lower division and three must be upper division.