Requirements for the History/Social Science major, a teacher education concentration, are 42 hours, including 28 hours in History; eight hours in Political Science (PSCI 135, plus four hours); IDS 205, Intro to the Social Sciences (4 hours); and HIST 324, Methods of Teaching History/Social Science (2 hours). The 28 hours in History include the core research sequence for the major. That sequence includes three components:
- HIST 295, Introduction to Historical Inquiry, which is an introductory research methods course;
- A history research paper, completed as an option in the regular class assignments of 300- or 400-level history classes; and
- HIST 494, Christianity and Historical Study, which is the department’s capstone seminar.
HIST 295 normally is completed during the sophomore year; the research paper during the junior year (and is referred to as the Junior Research Paper); and HIST 494 during the senior year. Students must complete HIST 295 before the semester in which they write the research paper. Guidelines for the Junior Research Paper are available in the History Department office or in the Handbook section of this website.
The 28 required hours in history also include ten hours in U.S. history (including HIST 351 and 352); twelve hours in European and World History (including HIST 111, World History, Ancient to Modern; plus four hours European history and four hours world history from Asia, Africa or Latin America); and two hours of geography (GEOG 211). History/Social Science majors must complete a noncredit, pass/fail, self-study unit of Illinois History and Government. Information on this unit is available on the Education department website. In addition, majors should consult the Education Department for general education and secondary education requirements for education candidates. See the major requirements checklist.