History is a story about the human past. Through the study of history, we make other people's experiences our own. In this way we touch other times and places and add the knowledge and wisdom gained by others to our own personal experience. Studying history is not an exercise in memorization; it is, rather, a process of assembling information from the past and giving meaning to it. It is a way of thinking about the present that attempts to make sense of the complexity of contemporary events by examining what lies beneath them.
Understanding the past is its own reward, but studying history pays off in other ways as well. It trains the mind, enlarges compassion, and provides a much-needed perspective on some of the world's pressing problems. History fosters critical thinking, sharpens reading and writing skills and prepares one for a wide variety of occupations, from teaching to medicine, business to law.
The Concentration in Interdisciplinary History will provide a general knowledge of world and U.S. history, and offer a fundamental training in the theory and techniques of contemporary historical practice. While it encourages a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of the past, students will also develop an in-depth understanding of a particular region and period. Each student's specialized study will culminate in the writing of an honors thesis on a topic in her/his chosen area.
Available Options: Concentration in Interdisciplinary History; Minor Concentration.
Minor concentration in History (15 credit hours):
At least 9 hours of coursework in history must be at the 3000 or 4000 level; 6 hours may be at a lower level, for a total of 15 credit hours. Students must have at least a 2.0 grade point average in courses taken for the minor concentration.
At least 50% of upper level credits must be from Honors College courses.
At least two history courses at the 1000-2000 level
At least three history courses at the 3000-4000 level
* Updated 05/28/2008