The major in History is designed to increase an understanding of the present and future by studying and interpreting the past. The content and methodology of historical studies is basic to a liberal arts education in the 21st century and to an understanding of the world and the dynamics of change. History also provides a firm foundation for many careers. Recent graduates have found their way into various professions, such as museum and curatorial positions, law, journalism, teaching, government service, foreign service, as well as admission to graduate study in a specialized field.

Required courses in the History major provide introductions to the primary historical traditions of world and U.S. history, political theory, methods of historical research and writing and other disciplines such as economics, literature and art, which bear on the historical process. Students are encouraged to use elective hours to develop depth in an area of emphasis such as American or European political and cultural histories or historic preservation. Students may also prepare for the teaching profession at the elementary, middle and secondary levels.

History – Secondary Education

1st year – Fall

• ENG 101 Composition (Literacies Sphere) 3
• FYS 101 Going Global: First-Year Seminar (ShenEd FYS) 3
• HIST 1xx Elective (100-level) (Scientific Inquiry Sphere or Navigating Difference Sphere) 3
• Foreign Language (Arts & Sciences requirement) 3

Total 12

1st year – Spring

• Oral Communication Shen Ed (Literacies Sphere) 3
• HIST 1xx Elective (100-level) (Scientific Inquiry Sphere or Navigating Difference Sphere) 3
• Foreign Language (Arts & Sciences requirement) 3
• Creative Expression Gen Ed (Creative Expression Sphere) 3 and
  • ES 101 Introduction to Environmental Studies or
  • PSY 101 General Psychology (Scientific Inquiry Sphere) 3

Total 15

2nd year – Fall

• HIST 1xx Elective (100-level) (Scientific Inquiry Sphere or Navigating Difference Sphere) 3
• Foreign Language (Arts & Sciences requirement) 3
• HIST 201 The Practice of History 3 and
• Choose two:
  • Ethical Reasoning Shen Ed (Navigating Difference Sphere)
  • Creative Expression Shen Ed (Creative Expression Sphere)
  • ES 101 Introduction to Environmental Studies
  • PSY 101 General Psychology
  • EC 211 Principles of Macroeconomics

Total 15

2nd year – Spring

• HIST 1xx Elective (100-level) (Scientific Inquiry Sphere or Navigating Difference Sphere) 3
• Foreign Language (Arts & Sciences requirement) 3
• EC 212 Principles of Microeconomics 3
• Quantitative Literacy Shen Ed (Literacies Sphere) 3
• EDU 310 TheTeaching Profession 3
• PSY 101 General Psychology or ES 101 Introduction to Environmental Studies 3

Total 18

3rd year – Fall

• PSCI 301 History of Western Political Philosophy I or PSCI 302 History of Western Political Philosophy II 3
• GEO Elective 3
• HIST Requirement (300- or 400-level) 3
• PSCI Requirement 3
• EDU 344 Methods and Management in Middle and Secondary Schools 3
• EDU 349 Curriculum and Instruction Middle/Secondary 3

Total 18

3rd year – Spring

• HIST Requirement (300- or 400-level) 3
• HIST Requirement (300- or 400-level) 3
• EDU 343 Methods and Assessment in Middle and Secondary Schools 3
• PSCI Requirement 3
• PSCI Requirement 3
• RDG 425 Literacy in the Content Areas 3

Total 18

4th year – Fall

• HIST Requirement (300- or 400-level) 3
• HIST Requirement (300- or 400-level) 3
• HIST Requirement (300- or 400-level) 3
• PSCI 301 History of Western Political Philosophy I or PSCI 302 History of Western Political Philosophy II 3
• PSCI Requirement 3
• GEO Elective 3

Total 18

4th year – Spring

• HIST 495 Senior Seminar 3
• EDU 441 Student Teaching in Middle and Secondary Schools 9

Total 12

Students are encouraged to take either HIST 101 and HIST 102 or HIST 103 and HIST 104 in the same year, as these courses are sequential. HIST 301 is offered fall semester only. It is advised students take it immediately preceding HIST 495, which is normally offered spring semester only, unless other arrangements are made. This schedule is a sample schedule and is based on students passing Praxis I in year one, and Praxis II by the end of year two.