Rather, the Department seeks to examine the interpretive problems that historians encounter while practicing their own discipline and when interacting with other fields of academic study. The History Department seeks to serve an array of educational goals for both majors and non-majors. Members of the Department strive to encourage a broad interdisciplinary approach and to develop students' proficiencies in analysis, writing, and speaking. As a result, students with any academic major who wish to explore discrete eras in time, the history of different parts of the world, or specific historical issues should find departmental offerings, particularly at the introductory and intermediate levels, appropriate for their undergraduate education. Work in History may also prepare Macalester students to be better informed, active citizens in their community, nation, and world.
All history courses fulfill the general distribution requirement in the humanities.
The ten may include one internship if it is approved by a history department member. Independent study and preceptorship in history may not be counted among the ten courses but may be supplements to them up to a maximum total of twelve. Courses completed for college credit prior to matriculation at a collegiate level institution, such as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses, may not be used in completion of a major. Except with consent of the department, the major will include no more than two introductory level courses. All history majors must take either History 80 or 90, an advanced course in which a major research paper is written, or prepare an honors project in History.