The requirements for a major in history consist of introductory, mid-, and upper-level courses. The 100- and 200-level courses are global or regional surveys, covering extensive periods of time, while the 300- and 400-level courses focus on specific nations, time periods or themes. The upper-level courses also require more extensive analysis of sources, texts and interpretations. Majors in history are strongly encouraged to continue study in foreign languages beyond the minimum university requirement, and, when appropriate, to integrate their foreign language studies into their history classes. This major requires four core courses. Three of these courses are introductory-level: GHIST 101, World History to 1500; GHIST 102, World History Since 1500; and GHIST 225, United States History. In addition to the core requirements, majors must take nine elective courses: two on the 200 level and seven on the 300 and 400 level.

These courses introduce students to the nature of history and survey the globe in a historical context. In addition to involving reading, writing and critical thinking, these courses develop students' elementary computer skills in identifying and interpreting research sources and presenting research results. The other required course is an upper-level course, HIST 395, History Seminar. This seminar on research methods teaches students the most sophisticated computer applications for research and writing. Core Requirements.
 

Core Requirements	Credits
GHIST 101. World History to 1500	3
GHIST 102. World History Since 1500	3
GHIST 225. U.S. History	4
Any other two courses at the 200-level	6
HIST 395. History Seminar	3
Seven 300- or 400-level courses	21
	40

HIST 395 fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major.

GHIST courses can be double-counted toward General Education credit.

HIST 395 is a prerequisite for 400-level courses. Non-majors may enroll in 400-level classes without completing HIST 395 with the instructor's permission. Majors must complete four of their seven 300/400 level elective courses at the 400 level. Majors must complete three courses (nine credit hours) outside the field of U.S. History on the 300 and 400 level. For honors majors, only three hours of HIST 499, Honors Thesis, may be counted among the four 400-level courses required for the major.

Click to obtain a History Major Checklist.

Students may receive credit by exam for U.S. History (GHIST 225). Examinations are offered the first week of every fall semester, the first week of every spring semester and the first week of every May session. Students interested in attaining GHIST 225 credit by exam should contact Dr. Richard Meixsel for further information.

You may also receive credit by exam for GHIST101 and GHIST102.  The next examination for course credit in GHIST101 and 102 will be held 2:30-4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2008.  Please notify Dr. Henry Myers one week in advance if you wish to take one of these examinations.  Beforehand, at the University Business Office, you are to pay $25.00 and receive a form, which is also a receipt, for taking the test.  Obtain the signatures indicated on that form, and bring the form with you when you come to take the examination.  Examinations may be picked up at 2:30 on this date from Jackson Hall, Room 225, and taken in the adjacent History Department Lounge.

Historians today practice their discipline in a variety of careers as well as in more traditional academic settings. Those historians who work in museums, archives, government agencies, libraries, historic preservation organizations, businesses, contract history firms, cultural resource management firms, and historic sites are known as public historians because they use their skills as historians to serve a public audience.

The concentration in Public History trains students in the broad range of skills and issues associated with public history while providing them with a solid general background in history. The concentration provides a foundation for history majors seeking employment as public historians and also prepares students for graduate study in public history. Students pursuing the concentration augment their foundation of traditional history courses by taking introductory and specialized public history courses and completing a semester-long internship. Access more information about the concentration in the Public History section of this site.

The Department of History encourages students to write a senior honors thesis as part of its commitment to student research and writing in history.  Any student with a cumulative 3.25 GPA or higher is eligible to write a senior honors thesis.

Early each spring semester, the department head will notify in writing those majors and minors who are eligible to write a senior honors thesis.  The letter should indicate the senior honors thesis application process and deadlines for submission to the Honors Program, as well as indicate an information meeting day and time for interested students.  This meeting would be used to explain the senior honors thesis process and answer particular student questions.

Students who plan to write a senior honors thesis must submit an application to the Honors Program early in April of their junior year.  The application must include a working title, a thesis prospectus and a preliminary bibliography.  In addition, a committee of faculty members must agree to read the thesis.  Typically, this committee is three individuals:  a director who will guide and direct the thesis, and two readers who will review the thesis.  The faculty must agree that the finished thesis meets the expectations of a senior honors thesis. A copy of the completed Honors Program application, including the signatures of the faculty director and readers, must be filed with the Department of History at this time.

Once the application is submitted to the Honors Program, it is urged that each student meet with the entire committee sometime during April to discuss the thesis.  The intent of this meeting is to have a discussion among the committee members and the student about the thesis topic.  It is an opportunity to discuss possible research approaches (perhaps to help narrow the topic), to suggest primary sources and to consider questions.  Also, a basic review process should be considered.  For example, does the committee want to review each chapter as it is submitted, or do they want the director to review chapters, then send them along later?  Or, some committees may want to read a draft of the entire thesis.  Finally, this meeting is designed to help the student begin work on the thesis in a collegial manner, and to set expectations.

The Department of History honors thesis should be about sixty to seventy-five pages in length and must make use of primary sources.  Typically, the senior honors thesis is divided into chapters.  Students will register for HIST 499 in both fall and spring semesters, making the thesis a six credit hour endeavor.  The faculty director should be certain to record a final grade at the end of each semester’s work and should consult with the readers, where appropriate, to determine the grade.

It is urged that beginning with fall semester, the student and thesis director meet on a regular basis (weekly or bi-weekly) to discuss the thesis and to help the student make satisfactory progress in research and writing.  It is strongly recommended that a draft of about one half of the thesis be completed at the end of the fall semester.  Students will receive a grade for HIST 499 fall semester, which indicates the progress made to that point.

A completed draft of the thesis should be submitted to the director before spring break.  A draft should be given to the readers in late March.  Such deadlines will allow all committee members the time to read and review the draft and allow the student the opportunity to make any necessary changes before the Honors Program deadline of mid-April.  The thesis should be about sixty to seventy-five pages in length.

The Department of History encourages its senior honors thesis authors to present their research at conferences.  Venues such as the National Council for Undergraduate Research (NCUR) and the regional Phi Alpha Theta conference (history honorary society) provide excellent opportunities for students to present a research paper based on their thesis.

The Department of History has a fund to help defray student travel research expenses.  Students who need to travel to conduct research are encouraged to petition the Clive R. Hallman Fund for travel funds.

Senior honors thesis authors will make a formal presentation of their research at a Department of History honors day that could also include recognition of other students and faculty (Mary Jackson Award, Carlton Smith Award, Raymond Dingledine Award).  Phi Alpha Theta and the History Club will organize this day of recognition. 

At the instructor's discretion, any student registered for a class in the College of Arts and Letters who does not attend the first two (2) scheduled meetings of the class (or does not attend the first scheduled meeting of a class that meets once a week) may be administratively dropped from the class. Students dropped for non-attendance will be notified via e-mail by the Associate Dean of the College.

Students who fail to attend the first two meetings of a class for which they are registered but who do not receive an e-mail notification have not been administratively dropped by their instructor. Unless those students drop the course on their own, they will receive a grade at the end of the semester.   All students are responsible for verifying the accuracy of their schedules and changes made in their schedule via e-mail and through the web.