Bachelor of Arts in History
About This Program
The Bachelor of Arts in History explores the forces that have shaped human affairs, offering insights to address today's challenges and future uncertainties. Examining our traditions allows students to develop a deep understanding of their identity and equips them with the skills needed for successful careers in a wide range of fields.
This degree prepares students for diverse careers in teaching, archival administration, business, journalism, historical preservation and museums, law, and public affairs. It also opens opportunities in emerging fields such as digital history, video game and virtual reality storytelling, historical consulting, and other cutting-edge fields. More importantly, it equips students with the knowledge to understand societal changes, preparing them for life in a complex world. The study of history fosters well-rounded, insightful individuals ready to make a difference.
Competencies
- Upon completion, students shall understand how historical research is conducted, chiefly by learning to identify primary sources and how historians use them.
- Upon completion, students shall understand how historical interpretations are developed, especially how to assess secondary sources.
- Upon completion, students shall demonstrate writing skills and be able to present an historical analysis or argument clearly, employing good style and grammar in the English written language.
- Upon completion, students shall demonstrate ability in conducting research and presenting findings in non-written modalities such as oral presentations or digital history formats.
- Upon completion, students shall possess a broad knowledge of major developments in (a) field(s) of history.
- Upon completion, students shall develop marketable skills useful for pursuing the career of their choice.
- Upon completion, students shall develop cultural competency, including the ability to recognize the reliability of sources and understand and identify implicit bias.
Curriculum
| Foundations | ||
| General Core Requirements | 42 | |
| History Foundations (Core) 1 | ||
| Select 1441 & 1442 in the same modern or classical language 2 | 8 | |
| Students take either HIST 1301 or HIST 1331 AND either HIST 1302 or HIST 1332 as part of the general core requirements | ||
| HIST 2311 | WESTERN CIVILIZATION TO 1500 | 3 |
| or HIST 2321 | WORLD HISTORY TO 1400 | |
| HIST 2312 | WESTERN CIVILIZATION, 1500 TO THE PRESENT | 3 |
| or HIST 2322 | WORLD HISTORY, 1400 TO THE PRESENT | |
| HIST 3300 | INTRODUCTION TO HISTORICAL RESEARCH | 3 |
| History Specialization | ||
| Concentration 3 | ||
| Select three courses in an area of concentration | 9 | |
| Select five upper level HIST electives | 15 | |
| HIST 4395 | HISTORY SEMINAR | 3 |
| Geography | ||
| Select two courses in Geography | 6 | |
| Minor & Electives | ||
| Select a minor in consultation with advisor | 18 | |
Select six hours at the 3000/4000 level | ||
Select 12 hours at any level | ||
| General Electives | ||
| Select six hours at 3000/4000 level | 6 | |
| Select electives sufficient to complete 120 hours. 2 | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
-
Majors should complete general education core and history core requirements before enrolling in upper level history courses and should complete HIST 3300 as early as possible. The requirements of UNIV 1101 are met by HIST 3300. Students may not enroll in HIST 4395 until they have completed HIST 3300 with a "C" or better.
- 2
Students may satisfy the language requirement through transfer credit or AVANT test; doing so will make additional elective hours available.
- 3
Students will create an area of concentration in consultation with the undergraduate advisor. HIST 4395 is taken as the last history course, excepting internships.
Suggested Plan of Study
All history majors will design an individual plan of upper level study in consultation with their advisor.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| US HISTORY | 3 | US HISTORY | 3 |
| COMMUNICATION | 3 | GEOGRAPHY | 3 |
| MATHEMATICS | 3 | COMMUNICATION | 3 |
| SCIENCE (with lab) | 3 | MATHEMATICS | 3 |
| CORE ELECTIVE | 3 | SCIENCE (with lab) | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| HIST 2321 or 2311 | 3 | HIST 2322 or 2312 | 3 |
| HIST 3300 | 3 | POLS 2312 | 3 |
| GEOGRAPHY | 3 | CREATIVE ARTS | 3 |
| POLS 2311 | 3 | SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES | 3 |
| LANGUAGE, PHILOSOPHY & CULTURE | 3 | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| HIST CONCENTRATION | 3 | HIST CONCENTRATION | 3 |
| HIST ELECTIVE | 3 | HIST ELECTIVE | 3 |
| HIST ELECTIVE | 3 | HIST ELECTIVE | 3 |
| MINOR CLASS | 3 | MINOR CLASS | 3 |
| MINOR CLASS | 3 | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| HIST CONCENTRATION | 3 | HIST 4395 | 3 |
| HIST ELECTIVE | 3 | MINOR ADVANCED | 3 |
| MINOR CLASS | 3 | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| MINOR ADVANCED | 3 | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| GENERAL ELECTIVE ADVANCED | 3 | GENERAL ELECTIVE ADVANCED | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
Oral Communication Competency
Students majoring in history demonstrate competency in oral communication by successfully completing HIST 3300. The department advisor must certify completion of this requirement.
Computer Use Competency
Students majoring in history demonstrate competency in computer use by successfully completing both HIST 3300 and HIST 4395. The department advisor must certify completion of this requirement.
Program Completion
To graduate, students must have a 2.0 GPA overall and in history courses. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the general education and history core requirements before enrolling in upper-level history courses.