History Major

Major Requirements

A history major is planned in consultation with a student’s advisor and comprises no fewer than 40 history credits. These credits may include up to four internship credits (HIST 624 ) if approved by a history department member, and four independent study credits (HIST 614 ) carried out under the supervision of a member of the department. Preceptorship in history credits (HIST 634 ) may not be counted among the first 40 credits for the major but may be a supplement to them. Courses completed for college credit prior to matriculation at a collegiate level institution, such as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses, may not be used in completion of a major. Except with consent of the department, the major will include no more than eight introductory level course credits and no more than eight history credits taught by faculty outside the department.

All history majors are required to take:

•  HIST 290 - History: Then and Now , which examines the different approaches and analytical frameworks of historical scholarship. Prospective majors are strongly encouraged to take this course during their sophomore year.

• At least 4 credits in a history course at the 300-level, ideally before taking HIST 490 - Senior Seminar .

• HIST 490 , taken in the fall of the senior year, is an advanced study seminar in which a major research paper is written. The college senior capstone requirement is to be met by completion of HIST 490 .

• All history majors complete 16 credits in a thematic or geographic field selected in consultation with the advisor.

• 4 credits in courses that deal primarily with the history of a period prior to 1800,

• 4 credits in courses that deal primarily with the period since 1800,

• 8 credits in courses in global/comparative history.

• A single course may simultaneously fulfill a chronological requirement, a thematic requirement, and a global/comparative history requirement.