LOWER-LEVEL ELECTIVES(1000- & 2000-Level)
The Department offers a variety of 1000- and 2000-level surveys that expose students to fundamental overviews of US, European, Latin American, Middle Eastern, Russian, and Asian history in addition to World History. History majors are required to complete at least one survey numbered 1007 and above.
There is a general expectation that assignments in 1000- and 2000-level courses will involve analytical writing, including essay examinations or papers. These courses vary in format and may include lectures, discussions, readings from secondary materials (books and articles published by historians and other scholars), and the use of primary source materials such as letters, diaries, songs, poems, treatises, documents, material culture, films, or still pictures, etc.
Both 1000 and 2000-level courses are generally bigger than upper-division courses, so they are usually based on a lecture format, though all of them also include time for class discussion.
FRESHMAN SEMINARS (HIST 1099)
The goal of these classes is to expose students to the special rewards of studying history at the college level by allowing them to focus on a topic up-close with leading experts in the field. These courses also fulfill the departmental requirement for majors and minors concerning lower-level electives.
HISTORY 3000: Introduction to Historical Thought and Methods
This small seminar is required of all History majors and minors as an essential introduction to the ideas and practices of studying history and conducting historical research. With this goal in mind, students read a selection of books and articles touching on different periods, world regions, and historiographical approaches that expose the multitude of ways in which historians do their work. Majors and Minors must earn a C or higher.
UPPER-LEVEL ELECTIVES (300+ 4199)
Courses at the 3001 to 4999 level are designed to give students an in-depth knowledge of the history of a particular place or era, such as imperial China, Modern India, early America, early-modern Germany, or Soviet Russia, of a historical subject that cuts across geographical and chronological boundaries, such as the history of slavery and emancipation, immigration, capitalism, the built environment (especially, but not limited to, cities) in global history, or of a special research methodology used by historians, such as computer applications in history or the analysis of material culture. These courses vary in format and may include lectures, discussions, readings from secondary materials (books and articles published by historians and other scholars), and the use of primary source materials such as letters, diaries, songs, poems, treatises, documents, material culture, films, or still pictures, etc.
In addition, 4000-level courses also include a guided research component that introduces students to the basic methods of research in order to prepare them for the research projects ahead in the History 5000 research seminars.
HISTORY RESEARCH SEMINARS (HISTORY 5000)
Capstone research course for history majors that culminates in a significant historical research project. Projects can include an essay of at least 20 pages, or a comparable digital, public history, or media project, designed in consultation with history faculty.
Students are required to successfully complete HIST 3000 with a C or better and to complete a HIST 4000-4099 course before enrolling in HIST 5000.
HISTORY 5100s UNDERGRADUATE HISTORY COLLOQUIA
Our History 5100 courses are small, intensive reading colloquia that bring together advanced undergraduates and graduate students to explore selected historical topics or themes.
If you are considering applying for graduate school in history, courses at this level are a perfect choice as these advanced colloquia will give you a preview of the focused seminar experience that is a regular part of graduate history instruction.
