Finally, concentrators must elect six credits of cognate courses. Thus, for instance, in the English department, literature courses are cognate but creative or expository writing courses are not, and in the language departments, courses in the literature or culture of a people are cognate but courses which offer training in how to speak the language are not. Similarly in the social sciences, courses which teach only statistical skills are not cognate. Students should consult with a concentration advisor to be certain whether or not a given course is acceptable to the History Department. Aside from the necessity to satisfy the requirements listed above, the department specifies no single pattern of courses for concentration.
Students develop a concentration plan in consultation with their advisor.
The Junior-Senior Honors Program in the Department of History is open to juniors interested in concentrating in history who have maintained at least a 3.25 grade point average overall and a 3.5 average in history courses. Applications for the program, which are available in the History Department office in 3609 Haven Hall, are accepted annually by a set date at the beginning of November, and the usual applicant is a first term junior. The History Department's Honors Committee will accept a maximum of 25 students into the program and admission decisions will be based on a student's academic performance, background in history, demonstrated ability to write, and, in some cases, recommendations by history faculty. High grade point average alone does not guarantee admission. Accepted students will be notified in November and will begin their participation in the program the following January in History 398, the Junior Honors Colloquium.