History

History is the study of human societies, their changes and continuities. It attempts to make sense of the human experience, its complexities and ironies.

Classification: Major, Minor
Degree: Bachelor of Arts

A cornerstone of a liberal arts education, history helps students to understand the richness, diversity, and complexity of the human experience over time and across space. Training in critical and historical thought develops the capacity for informed judgment, nurtures a sense of social responsibility, and prepares individuals for leadership roles in society.

The number of courses required for the major is 14 (36-42 semester hours). At least six of these courses (18 semester hours) must be at the 300-level or above.

Total number of courses required for the minor is 6 (18 semester hours).

Required Courses

Major Required Courses

All of the following (7 sem. hrs.)

  • HIST 375 Writing History: Theory and Practice (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 401 Senior Essay in History (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 402 Senior Seminar in History (1 sem. hr.)

One of the following (3 sem. hrs.)

  • HIST 101 Introduction to World History to 1650 (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 103 Introduction to World History, 1650-Present (3 sem. hrs.)

At least one of the following courses in U.S. History (3 sem. hrs.)

  • HIST 241 Interpreting U.S. History I (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 242 Interpreting U.S. History II (3 sem. hrs.)

At least one of the following Global South History courses (3 sem. hrs.)

  • HIST/ENGL 200 Modern Southeast Asia through Anti-Imperial Literature (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 201 History of Asia to 1650 (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 207 Modern Chinese History, 1644-Present (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 213 A History of Modern South Asia (3 sem. hrs.)

Six additional courses, at least four of which must be at the 300-level or above. Courses counted toward the core may not be counted here. (14-20 sem. hrs.)

  • HIST 101 Introduction to World History to 1650 (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 103 Introduction to World History, 1650-Present (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST/ENGL 200 Modern Southeast Asia through Anti-Imperial Literature (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 201 History of Asia to 1650 (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 207 Modern Chinese History, 1644-Present (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 210 Women and Gender in Europe, 1550-Present (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 228 The Making of Modernity, 1815-1914 (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 229 20th Century Europe and the World (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 241 Interpreting U.S. History I (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 242 Interpreting U.S. History II (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 245 Civil War and Reconstruction (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 285/385 Topics in History (2-4 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 290 Internship in History (2-4 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 303 World War II (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 310 Colonial and Revolutionary America (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 325 The African American Experience (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 327 The Gilded Age and Progressive Era (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 328 The Early American Republic (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 330 The Enlightenment and the French Revolution (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 335 Popular Culture in Early Modern Europe, 1400−1800 (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 357 Modern America (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 372 Colonial Encounters (3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 390 Advanced Internship in History (2-3 sem. hrs.)
  • HIST 399 Independent Study in History (1-3 sem. hrs.)

Two courses with significance for the study of history from the following selection of courses in related fields (6 sem. hrs.)

  • ANTH 280 World Archaeology (3 sem. hrs.)
  • ARTH 270 A Survey of Modern Art (3 sem. hrs.)
  • BKRT 225 The History of the Book (3 sem. hrs.)
  • DANC 316 Dance History (3 sem. hrs.)
  • ECON 340 History of Economic Analysis (3 sem. hrs.)
  • ENGL 206 British Literature, 1100-1660 (3 sem. hrs.)
  • ENGL 215 Survey of American Literature (3 sem. hrs.)
  • ENGL 250 British Literature, 1660 to the Modern Era (3 sem. hrs.)
  • MUS 112 Listening: A Survey of Western Music (3 sem. hrs.)
  • PHIL 230 Ancient Philosophy (3 sem. hrs.)
  • POLS 155 American Politics (3 sem. hrs.)
  • RELG 263 The Hebrew Bible and Jewish Tradition (3 sem. hrs.)
  • RELG 264 The New Testament and Early Christianity (3 sem. hrs.)
  • SOC 277 Social Inequality: Class and Ethnicity (3 sem. hrs.)
  • THEA 315 Theatre History (3 sem. hrs.)
  • WTQS 385 Special Topic in Women’s, Transgender and Queer Studies (3 sem. hrs.)

Minor Required Courses

The following course (3 sem. hrs.)

  • HIST 375 Writing History: Theory and Practice (3 sem. hrs.)

Five additional history courses involving some introductory and some advanced work to be arranged with members of the department (15 sem. hrs.)

Other Areas of Study



Think critically, reason wisely, and act humanely.

Our mission since 1868.