History (BA)

Study the past to future-proof your career! History and geography are the art and practice of thinking historically and engaging the world with all its complex ideas and subtle differences. History and geography power skills help you to think critically, be an agile problem-solver, and communicate globally and ethically with a wide range of audiences.

Our program can open doors to a variety of careers because you will get personalized mentoring from award-winning faculty members, all of whom are ready to help prepare you to be a future success. We even offer a cutting-edge Geographic Information Systems (GIS) certificate with software-based learning applicable to a variety of careers.

History nurtures understanding on a variety of levels and prepares you for a variety of careers. A major in history is 36 credit hours and provides the knowledge and skills that you need to teach at the high school level, attend graduate school, especially in history or law, or pursue a career in public history, such as working in archives, museums, or historical sites.

Just a few of the many careers that you can pursue with a historical studies degree include becoming a teacher in secondary school, archaeologist, broadcast journalist, paralegal, park ranger, librarian, and historic preservation.

Study what you love with the history major. Use the skills you learn to think critically, be an agile problem solver, and communicate complex ideas to a wide range of audiences. Earn a solid foundation in American, European, and non-Western history. Focus on regions, time periods, or topics that are exciting to you. Our program opens doors to a variety of careers through personalized mentoring from award-winning faculty, all of whom are ready to help prepare you to be a success. You’ll learn the art of thinking historically and understanding the world around you with all its engaging ideas and subtle differences. You’ll see the world and how you fit into it.

Major Coursework

6 credit hours of coursework from the following options:

• HIST 20100 Historical Methods
• HIST 48100 Senior Seminar in History

Professional Preparation Coursework

3 credit hours of coursework from the following options:

• HIST 30100 Applied History
• HIST 40100 History Internship

Note: students majoring in HIST and completing the Minor in Secondary Education for Social Sciences certification may satisfy this requirement by completing EDU 41000 Student Teaching.

Non-Western Foundation Coursework

3 credit hours of coursework from the following options:

• HIST 26000 Modern Middle East History
• HIST 26300 History of Latin America
• HIST 26400 History of Asia

Diversity and Global Citizenship Coursework

3 credit hours of coursework from the following options:

• HIST 24200 History of Modern Europe
• HIST 24400 The Nazi State
• HIST 24500 History of the British Isles
• HIST 26000 Modern Middle East History
• HIST 26300 History of Latin America
• HIST 26400 History of Asia

Research Skills Seminar Coursework

3 credit hours of coursework from the following options:

• HIST 32400 The Growth of Modern America, 1877-1914
• HIST 32500Social Movements in 20th Century America

U.S. Culture and Diversity Coursework

6 credit hours of coursework from the following options:

• HIST 30200 Public History
• HIST 32000/AST 32000 America: The Search for a More Perfect Union
• HIST 32100 The Origins of the United States to 1800
• HIST 32200 The Age of Jackson
• HIST 32300 The Civil War and Its Legacies
• HIST 32400 The Growth of Modern America, 1877-1914
• HIST 32500 Social Movements in 20th Century America
• HIST 32600 The United States in the Age of the Cold War
• HIST 33100 History of Gender in America
• HIST 33200 A Biography of the Constitution
• HIST 33300 The American West 1830-1960
• HIST 33400 History of Racism in America

Global Culture and Diversity Coursework

6 credit hours of coursework from the following options:

• HIST 34200 The Civilization of Industrialism
• HIST 34300 The Soviet Union and European Communism
• HIST 36200 Slavery and Capitalism across the Atlantic
• HIST 36300 Revolution in the Modern World

Elective Coursework

6 credit hours from any HIST coursework at or above the 30000-level.

Students pursuing grades 9-12 Social Science teaching certification must fill these elective credits by taking additional courses listed above under US Culture and Diversity Coursework.

1. Some relevant coursework from other disciplines (especially GEO, IR, and PS) may be accepted as substitute requirements with the permission of the department head.
2. Students interested in pursuing grades 9-12 Social Science teaching certification must also complete the Social Science minor as well as a minor in secondary education.

No duplication of coursework within the program is allowed.