The History department offers a B.A. in History for undergraduate students. In the History major, students take a mix of larger survey classes, upper-level classes on more specific topics and several required seminars teaching skills in historical research and critical analysis. Students have many choices of courses and are encouraged to develop areas of interest. The History major is designed to develop skills in critical thinking, research and writing. Completion of the degree in History will provide students with knowledge of the political, economic, social and intellectual development of the world's principal civilizations, notably United States civilization, Western civilization and the civilization of one other area of the world. Included also are the principal personalities, events, ideas and relationships that are the basis of historical studies, as well as a knowledge of various historical methods and historiography that will lead to a better understanding of: (a) how historians approach the past, (b) the value and limitations of various kinds of historical writings, and (c) how to explore the evolution of history as an academic discipline.
The Department of History combines teaching and research at the highest levels. History department faculty past and present have received numerous Distinguished Teaching and Publication awards from the University. The undergraduate and graduate programs provide students with a grounding in research and writing skills, as well as coursework in the history of the United States, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia. History department faculty explore the past from a variety of perspectives, including political history, economic history, urban and social history, cultural history, history of women and gender, legal history, and diplomatic, military and international history. In upper division tutorials and seminars, faculty work with students in small classes to analyze primary sources and discuss the latest scholarship. The department also seeks to foster student research through a number of special programs and research seminars, some of which involve trips to archives and historic sites. The internship program gives students an opportunity to gain practical experience in a variety of fields while earning credit toward their degree.
