History Major

Major Requirements

A history major is planned in consultation with a student’s advisor and comprises no fewer than 9 history courses. These courses may include one internship (HIST 624 ) approved by the history department, and one independent project (HIST 614 ) carried out under the supervision of a member of the department. Preceptorship in a history course (HIST 634 ) can only be counted if the student has not previously taken the specific course. 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. The major may include up to two introductory level courses and two History courses from study away, approved by the Chair upon return from study away.

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.

• 1 300-level course, 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 .

• 4 courses in a thematic or geographic field selected in consultation with the advisor.

• 1 course that deals primarily with the history of a period prior to 1800,

• 1 course that deals primarily with the period since 1800,

• 1 course in global/comparative history.

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