Although there are some exceptions, these courses typically have 40-50 students. Two or three dozen of them are offered every term. Students usually take these courses, which are limited to twelve students, in their third or fourth year. They may be taught by regular faculty or by very advanced graduate students who are completing dissertations in the subject area of the seminar. An undergraduate should not normally attempt one of these classes without substantial background in the area of the class and the permission of the instructor.
Students can learn about departmental offerings in several different ways.
The UVa Record contains a list, with brief descriptions, of all departmental courses. This list is current to within about one year of the nominal date of the Record . Before seeing advisers or planning schedules, students should obtain a copy of the booklet. Because all majors are required to take a seminar or colloquium, the history department has long used some special policies for registration in these courses. After completing the form, you drop it in a marked box in the history office.