Print
B.A. Degree in History {20-21}

B.A. Degree in History

Description
To receive the B.A. Degree in History, the student must meet the minimum university requirements and specific requirements for the program. Completion of 120 credits is required for this degree which includes the Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum. A grade of C or higher is required in all coursework for this program.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Reading Comprehension and Cognitive Skills: Students should be able to identify the main point or thesis in a piece of historical writing; analyze how authors develop their theses and support them with evidence; and recognize and evaluate the differences in historical interpretation among different authors.
  • Historical Thinking Skills: Students should be able to recognize potential sources of bias in historical writings; understand and interpret events in their appropriate historic context; understand and interpret relations of cause and effect and other sequential relations; understand the complexity of human motivations, and appreciate cultural differences in patterns of behavior and ideation; and synthesize a variety of evidence into a coherent and plausible account of events.
  • Research Skills: Students should be able to recognize the difference between primary and secondary sources, and understand the uses and importance of each type; select and refine an appropriate topic for a given assignment; identify a variety of different kinds of source materials that could shed light on a particular topic; use the library and various bibliographic aids to identify and locate different sources relevant to a particular topic; evaluate which of their sources are the most authoritative; compile and annotate a bibliography and present in proper format; and conduct an oral history interview.
  • Written Communication Skills: Students should be able to formulate a thesis on the basis of insights gained from research; develop their thesis in an organized logical progression; use appropriate evidence to support points; cite their sources properly; summarize points made in source materials and make the connections between different points of view and their own; recognize the shortcomings of their evidence and anticipate possible objections; respond constructively to criticism and make appropriate revisions; write clear and grammatical prose; and critically evaluate the work of other students.
  • Oral Communication Skills: Students should be able to respond clearly and thoughtfully to questions and comments in class discussion; draw upon and summarize reading materials in ways that address larger themes and issues; deliver an effective oral presentation; and critically evaluate the work of other students.
  • Computer Literacy: Students should be able to produce a paper using work processing software; use email; and conduct research using the internet in addition to traditional sources.

Program Delivery Mode
Land plus: face-to-face where some online courses may be available or required

Core Requirements ( 19 credits )

HIST 104 World History I (3)
HIST 105 World History II (3)
HIST 121 US History I (3)
HIST 122 US History II (3)
HIST 205 Introduction to Historical Methods (3)
HIST 492 Senior Seminar (4)

Designated Writing Intensive Course for Major
HIST 492 Senior Seminar (4)

Related Requirements

Students must earn at least a C in each history class.

Students are responsible for keeping an archive of their academic work on e-folio.

Restricted Electives ( 18 credits )

Students must complete:

  • Between 6 and 12 credits at the 300 level or above in the European history.
  • Between 6 and 12 credits at the 300 level or above in the United States or Canadian history.
  • Between 6 and 12 credits at the 300 level or above in the African, Asian, Latin American, or Middle Eastern history.

At least two (2) or more of the following geographical areas must be represented: Africa, Asia, Latin America, or the Middle East.

Electives ( 46 credits )

Students must earn at least 46 credits in courses with the History rubric. The elective total credits in History may vary, depending on the credit value of the History courses which students present for graduation.