The History Program is housed within the Department of History and Politics. Both a major and minor in History are offered. History is the critical study of the human past. It is the most integrative of the humanities and is essential to any understanding of the human condition. Students of history learn a lot about the human past and about how it has shaped today’s world. They also learn how to organize and assess evidence, analyze problems, interpret complex events, think critically, and argue persuasively. They learn about research, analysis, interpretation, and presentation. These skills are essential for success in many professions. Most history students do not become professional historians. Rather, they study history as the center of a broad and rigorous education in the liberal arts. Some of the professional paths pursued by history graduates include: education, law, politics, journalism, business, public policy, interest group advocacy, civil and foreign service, archival and library science, museum studies, historic preservation, and public history. History is also excellent preparation for graduate school in these and other fields.
Contact Information
Learning Outcomes
Students completing a minor in history should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of U.S., Latin American, European, and other areas of world history, as well as of global history, environmental history, intellectual history and the history of ideas, cultural history, and religious history.
- Analyze the role of race, class, ethnicity and gender in history (social history).
- Evaluate primary documents and historical scholarship, and demonstrate knowledge of major trends in historiography.
- Plan, conduct, and present historical research projects.
- Examine how history shapes ideas and practices of citizenship and liberal democracy, struggles for social justice, and human values.
Requirements
Students must achieve the following program requirements for all courses listed under Program Requirements and Program Required Courses for the History minor.
Program Requirements
Minor Credits: 20
Minor Residency Credits: 12
Program Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIS 3206 | Historiography and Historical Methods | 4 |
| A 4000-level history seminar | 4 | |
| Elective history credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 20 | |