The History major is designed both to provide the basis for a solid liberal arts education and to meet the needs of individual students. Within the specific requirements of the major, students receive basic instruction in the history of the United States as well as that of other countries. They are also introduced to the methods of historical inquiry, techniques of historical writing, differing philosophies of history and historiography, past and present. Beyond these basic requirements, students may arrange course work to fit their needs and interests. Upper division classes are generally small and offer ample individual attention, guidance and interaction between students and faculty.
The B.A. in History is a 40-unit program that students plan in consultation with a departmental advisor. Courses graded Cr/NC are not applicable to the History major, except in the cases of HIST 497 Internships and HIST 496 History Journal, where 4 units of Cr/NC are accepted.
Learning Objectives (History BA)
- Analyze and use primary and secondary sources.
- Students learn to differentiate between primary and secondary sources and to evaluate the reliability of such sources.
- Understand historical debate and controversies.
- Students learn to understand diverse interpretations and to examine different sides of historical debates.
- Gain an understanding of historiography in given regions and time periods.
- Students learn to understand the ways historians in given regions and time periods have approached history and how the field has changed as new evidence is uncovered and re-examined.
- Understand how to use evidence in writing research papers.
- Students learn to understand the ways historians in given regions and time periods have approached history and how the field has changed as new evidence is uncovered and re-examined.
- Productive skills: writing and oral expression.
- Students hone their writing and speaking skills and learn to articulate an argument regarding key historical events.