History

Clayton Black, Chair
William Smith Hall 333, ext. 7766

History majors are eligible to prepare for secondary school teaching certification in either history or social studies. To ensure proper scheduling of courses, particularly if the social studies certificate is desired, interested students should consult with the Chairs of the History and Education Departments as early in their college career as possible.

Freshman-Sophomore Courses

Required: A two-course sequence in history at the introductory level (HIS 101, 102 or HIS 103, 104 or HIS 201, 202).

Recommended: HIS 101, 102 or HIS 103, 104, plus HIS 201, 202.

Major Requirements: Eight semester courses at the 300 and 400 levels, including HIS 399 and at least three semester courses in US history, and at least three semester courses in non-US history.

Minor Requirements: A minor in history shall consist of at least six courses offered by the department. The courses selected must include a one-year introductory history sequence and at least four history courses at the 300 or 400 level.

Senior Capstone Experience: The Senior Capstone Experience in history consists of studies in historiographical techniques and preparation of a substantial senior thesis. During the spring term of the junior year, history majors participate in a required course entitled Historical Method (HIS 399). In connection with this course, each student is assigned a thesis adviser under whose supervision a prospectus and preliminary thesis chapter are prepared. Considerable latitude is allowed for the reflection of student interests both in the topic chosen for the research paper and in the approach selected. Senior theses will receive a designation of Pass, Pass with Honors, or Fail. Students who wish to be considered for departmental honors, or who are preparing for graduate study in history or related fields, should request permission to attempt an honors thesis as a substitute for the regular senior project. Students who wish to be candidates for honors on the senior thesis must have a 3.5 grade point average overall at the start of their senior year.

Preparation for Graduate Study in History

Students who are considering the possibility of advanced work in history should bring their competence in at least one foreign language up to the point of fluency in reading and translating. Basic courses in statistics and computer science will prove useful for those who might want to pursue the newer quantitative approach to historical analysis. Specialization in a particular field or topic of history is neither necessary nor desirable at the undergraduate level. On the contrary, a broad background is the best preparation for graduate work. In consultation with the Department Chair, students should use their electives in the junior and senior years to develop a basic competence in the discipline most closely related to their interests in history (e.g., economics, politics, sociology, philosophy, anthropology, music history, literature, art history).