Within the framework of geographical and chronological divisions, many courses have a particular topical or methodological orientation. For example, under the general rubric of United States history, there are courses on the development of the American city, the nature of black nationalism, and the history of social structure. Most history courses fall somewhere in between, utilizing social science materials and techniques as well as those associated with the humanities. The program for history majors is designed to balance a permissiveness that accommodates individual interests and a structure that reflects the intellectual and pedagogical rationale of the field. Two of these courses must be in fields other than modern European or United States history.
Additional restrictions apply as well.
The department encourages its students to maintain a balance between specialization and general exposure as they choose their courses. See the undergraduate catalog or the department for details on requirements for the major. The minor in history requires students to gain both breadth and depth in the field. See the undergraduate catalog or the department for details on requirements for the minor. The Honors Program in History Students wishing to graduate with honors in history need to meet a minimum GPA of 3.30 in their history courses as well as in their overall transcript.