History, BA

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The History major trains students to identify, describe, and analyze forces that have shaped societies over time. By carefully considering the development and interplay of factors such as culture, politics, religion, gender, race, and economics, students learn to understand the contextual basis for major issues facing different societies. By examining primary sources and various historical narratives, students learn to sort through competing interpretations of the past in order to arrive at an informed and well-reasoned understanding of historical developments. Students majoring in history develop skills in research, reasoning, writing, and social analysis. Graduates enter advanced degree programs in history, Christian ministries, and law. They also pursue careers in business, government service, and human service fields.

Students pursuing a major in History must complete a total of 36 hours as follows:

An 18-hour core consisting of:

Plus 18 hours beyond the core:

Consisting of 6 other upper-level history courses, at least one of which must be in American history, one in European history, and one in non-Western history.

Note(s):

Courses listed under “Course Descriptions ” that qualify as upper-level western history courses are designated with (w) and upper-level non-western courses with (nw).

Additional Information

History majors have the choice to take courses from the following historical sequence of philosophy courses in partial fulfillment of the upper-level history electives: PHIL 351, 352, 353 (Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Philosophy, respectively). Students who are not minoring in philosophy may take up to six hours (2 courses) from the historical sequence of philosophy courses toward the 18 hours of required history electives. Students who are minoring in philosophy may take only three hours (one course) from the historical sequence of philosophy courses.

Students pursuing the History major must maintain a minimum 2.5 gpa in the major. All seniors pursuing the History major are required to pass senior comprehensive examinations. Information must be acquired from the Department Chair.