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History

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In this section History Major Requirements History Major Honors Sequence History Minor Requirements History Major with concentration in Social Studies Social Studies Concentration Requirements

Historical awareness grows from the study of the past, a study based on the realization that the present world is very largely, at any given moment, a product of the past. While politics and war are central to the course of humanity’s development, historical understanding entails the broadest possible sensitivity to how people over time have thought, played, interacted, worshiped, and expressed themselves.

A history major, then, is based upon a fundamental curiosity as to how and why things got to be the way they are; as such, historical awareness and understanding are foundational to a liberally educated person. History provides a general framework through which all human life may be more sharply understood.

A major in History is an excellent preparation for careers in all fields. The study of history will over time deepen one’s social and cultural awareness and sharpen the analytical skills required for success in any endeavor. Our majors in History have entered graduate programs and pursued careers in business, journalism, teaching, law, museums and archives, historic preservation, librarianship and non-profit management.

Faculty and Professional Interests

Lawson Bowling – United States 20th-century, sports history, Italy, economic history

David Gutman – Modern Middle East, Ottoman Empire, North Africa

Mohamed Mbodj – African and African American Studies, Islam

Colin Morris – Early America; intellectual, political, history of place

Gregory Swedberg – Latin American, the Caribbean, women and gender

Irene Whelan – Britain, Ireland, modern Europe, nationalism

Adjunct Faculty

Robert Ashkinaze – Ancient, Medieval, and Early Modern Europe; Russia

Gregory Baggett – U.S. Civil War, emancipation, state formation

Donald Richards – United States 19th-century, immigration

History Major Requirements

Twelve courses (36 credits). Specific requirements:

One course from each of the following regional areas:

• Africa
• Asia and the Middle East
• Europe
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• North America

• Two upper-level seminars (3000-level; to be taken with different professors).

• Senior Evaluation (a special project or thesis, to be supervised by a member of the department; 3 credits)
• A maximum of one independent study project (3 credits) and one internship project (3 credits) may be counted toward the major.
• All courses must be taken for a letter grade and must receive a grade of C- or better.
• Transfer or Advanced Placement credits counting toward the major are limited to two courses (or 6 credits).

History Major Honors Sequence

Fourteen courses (42 credits), including an Honors Thesis for the Senior Evaluation requirement and two additional seminar courses: Junior Seminar: History and Historians [Spring] and Senior Honors Colloquium [Fall]. These advanced seminars emphasize training in interpretive methods, thesis development and historical research. History majors must complete the Honors Track sequence for eligibility for Departmental Honors at graduation. Honors in History are awarded to graduating majors who have completed the Honors Sequence and earned a G.P.A. of 3.6 or higher in their required major courses.

History Minor Requirements

• Five courses (15 credits). Specific requirements:

• One course from two of the following regional areas:
• Africa
• Asia and the Middle East
• Europe
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• North America

• One upper-level seminar course (3000-level)

• Courses must receive a grade of C- or better

• AP or Transfer credit is limited to one course (3 credits)

History Major with concentration in Social Studies

This concentration is intended for students preparing to be teachers of Social Studies in middle and high school. A co-major in Education is required.

Social Studies Concentration Requirements

A total of 17 required courses:

• 9 courses in History including

HIS 1011	Development of America I
HIS 1012	Development of America II
HIS xxxx	Europe
HIS xxxx	Africa
HIS xxxx	Asia and the Middle East
HIS xxxx	Latin America and the Caribbean

Three additional History courses of which two must be seminars (3000 level).

• Two additional courses to count toward the History major:

ANTH 1050	Cultural Anthropology
POS 1031	Introduction to American Government

• Senior Evaluation (in addition to the above required courses)
• An additional 5 co-requisites in the Social Sciences:

INS 2050	Environmental Geography
ECO 1011	Principles of Economics I: Introduction to Macroeconomics
ECO 1012	Principles of Economics II: Introduction to Microeconomics

Choice: 1 of 2

SOC 3085

Science, Technology and Society

or

POS 3081

The Public Policy of Science and Technology

Choice: 1 of 3

POS 2011

Comparative Politics

or

POS 2003

Introduction to Political Thought

or

POS 3012

Environmental Politics

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