The History Major

The History Major offers:

• An introduction to the basic story and values of Euro-American civilization and other cultures from the global community.
  
• The study of the principal methods and values found in historiography.
  
• An emphasis on the methods of research, including familiarity with traditional and contemporary technologies, especially those of the computer age.
  
• An emphasis on written, oral (and audio visual) and multi-media expression appropriate to the practices of historical study.
  
• A program through which the student major can progress in familiarity and sophistication with the perspectives, methods and composition of historical studies and the historical experience of one region of the world.
  

The department recognizes the importance of introducing students to issues shaping the world in which they live. Its members seek to encourage students to reflect upon their own perspectives upon these issues. They also desire to promote critical thinking both through written assignments and through seminar-style classroom discussion, small group projects and tutorial sessions. The department recognizes that its members may pursue these mission goals in varying combinations and with a disparate set of methods.

In general, courses in the department require:

• Attention to primary historical sources.
• Engagement in classroom discussion evaluating these sources in terms of modern perspectives.
• Substantial writing in research papers, critical commentaries, or essay examinations.

Requirements

A student majoring in history must take a minimum of 11 units, including an introductory course, at least 6 units at the 200- or 300-levels, HY 399: Junior Seminar, and a 2-block senior sequence. With the 6 elective units students must satisfy the departmental Time Distribution requirement (2 units) and the departmental Geographic Distribution requirement (3 units). The Department strongly recommends foreign language competence beyond the intermediate level.

STUDENTS MUST TAKE:

• Introductory Course (1 course): 1 two-block course at the 100-level.

• Minimum of 6 elective units at the 200- or 300-levels. Within these 6 units, students must satisfy the following departmental requirements:

• Time Distribution (2 courses): At least 1 course addressing a period up through the eighteenth century, and 1 course addressing a period from the eighteenth century forward. **Note: may also count toward geographic distribution

• Geographic Distribution (3 courses): At least 1 course in each of the three regions: Europe, United States, and World (Africa, East and South Asia, Latin America, Middle East). **Note: may also count toward period distribution.

• Junior Seminar: Studying History (HY 399).

• Senior Sequence (2 courses): HY 410 Advanced Seminar and HY 420 Senior Essay (two, 1-unit courses taken in consecutive blocks during the senior year). Students have the opportunity to write a Senior Thesis in lieu of the Senior Essay. This option requires departmental approval and a 3-unit Senior Sequence (HY 410, HY 430, HY 431). Students with a minimum G.P.A. of 3.6 within the major may submit their Senior Essay or Senior Thesis for distinction.

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