History

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.

Social Science Subject Matter Program for the Single Subject Credential

History majors interested in teaching social studies at the middle school or high school level may combine their major program with the Single Subject Social Science Subject Matter Program to meet requirements for entering a Single Subject Credential Program. View Social Science Subject Matter Program for Secondary School Teachers (.pdf) for more information. The departmental advisor also can provide assistance in coordinating the completion of both the major and the subject matter program simultaneously. See also the disclosure statement regarding Programs Leading to Licensure and Credentialing.

1. General Core Curriculum (15 units)

Choose one course from each of the following:

A.

HIST 110 World History to 1500 (3)
HIST 150 Western Civilization to 1500 (3)
HIST 303 Themes in Western Civilization Before 1500 (3)

B.

HIST 111 World History Since 1500 (3)
HIST 151 Western Civilization since 1500 (3)
HIST 302 Western Cultural Heritage, Modern Age (3)
HIST 304 Themes in Western Civilization After 1500 (3)

C.

HIST 270 The United States to 1865 (3)
HIST 370 Problems in American History to 1865 (3)

D.

HIST 271 The United States Since 1865 (3)
HIST 371 Problems in American History: 1865 to Present (3)

E.

HIST 145 African Civilization to Modern Times (3)
HIST 161 Survey of the History of Latin America (3)
HIST 185 Civilization of the Middle East (3)
HIST 191 History of Eastern Civilization I (3)
HIST 192 History of Modern East Asia (3)

2. Research Core Curriculum (9 units)

1. HIST 301 The Historian’s Craft: Reading, Research and Writing History (3)
   (Must be taken in the first 75 units of the major’s college program.)
   (A grade of “C” or better is required for graduation.)
2. HIST 497A-Z Proseminar (3)
   (Prerequisite HIST 301; a grade “C” or better is required for graduation.)
3. HIST 498 Tutorial in History (3)
   (A grade “C” or better is required for graduation.)

3. Upper Division Curriculum (24 units)

All units in this section must be upper division. HIST 302, 303, 304, 370 or 371 may not be applied to satisfy these requirements. A minimum of 12 of these 24 upper division elective units must be at the 400- or 500-level.

1. Upper division European History (3 units)
2. Upper division U.S. or Canadian History (3 units)
3. Upper division Asian, African, Middle Eastern or Latin American History (3 units)
4. Other upper division courses (15 units)

4. General Education (48 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog.
Some Title 5 courses also apply to the major.

Total Units in the Major: 48

General Education Units: 48

Additional Units: 14-17

Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120