Prospective
Students
Honors
The Undergraduate Major
"Whereas other subjects may make us smarter for next time," said the great historian of the Renaissance, Jakob Burckhardt, "the study of history makes us wiser forever."
This major is, moreover, an excellent preparation for a number of rewarding careers in university and college teaching and research, law, government, diplomacy, international business, education, and even medicine. At the crossroads of the humanities, the arts, and the social sciences, history is the study of human experience as it has unfolded over the ages. As an academic discipline it presents a unique gateway both to the richness of our cultural heritage and to the immense variety of world civilizations.
Students wishing to declare a major in history should first consult with the Department of History's Director of Undergraduate Studies or a faculty member on the Undergraduate Curriculum and Advising Committee. After determining the student's likely field of emphasis, the student should then select an appropriate faculty adviser. In consultation with this faculty adviser, the student should formulate a coherent program of history courses that will lead to completion of the major. All undergraduate majors are strongly encouraged to consult with the faculty adviser at least once each quarter. Any difficulties in the advising procedure or in registration formalities should be reported to the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Undergraduate Student Affairs Adviser.
Established in 1983, the Armin Rappaport Memorial Fund endows an annual prize for the outstanding graduating student in the major. The recipient of the award is announced at the June Commencement every year.
Declaring the Major
Department Fields
The department fields of study are Africa (HIAF), East Asia (HIEA), Europe (HIEU), Near East (HINE), Latin America (HILA), History of Science (HISC), and U.S. History (HIUS). As well as the following three thematic fields.
NEW: History majors now have the option of choosing from three additional fields of emphasis in the major: History of Gender and Sexuality; History of Race, Ethnicity, and Migration; and War, Revolution, and Social Change.
Please refer to the Teaching Matrix for course offerings.
The major requirement in the new thematic fields of emphasis is the same
as in the “geographical” fields (United States, Europe, Latin
America, East Asia, Near East) and History of Science. For example, the
field of emphasis requirement in “History of Gender and Sexuality”
can be satisfied by taking seven of the courses listed under “Gender
and Sexuality” below (or equivalent, such as EAP and transfer courses
to be petitioned).
The department also administers the following special research and instructional units: The Committee on Area and Ethnic Studies and Research (CAESAR), which includes, Chinese Studies, Classical Studies, German Studies, Italian Studies, Japanese Studies, Judaic Studies, Middle East Studies,and Russian Soviet Studies.
AP students entering with advanced placement credit in History (score of 3 or better) may have two of the three lower division classes waived.
Transfer students, after consulting with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, may petition to substitute a two-semester or three-quarter survey from another school for the Department's lower division requirement.
2.
Twelve four-unit upper-division courses, which must include the following
distribution of courses:
-
a) seven courses
in a field of emphasis.*
b) five courses in other fields within the department, selected to compliment the student's concentration.
c) three of the twelve courses must be focused on the period before 1800. These courses are indicated by the symbol (+) in the general campus catalog.
d) at least one of the twelve courses must be a colloquium. Colloquia are small seminars and ordinarily have course numbers between 160-190.**
In special cases, upon approval of the academic adviser, students may devise a field of emphasis (e.g., economic, legal, or social history) other than those designated above. Special independent study courses, such as HITO 197, HITO 198, and HITO 199, are available for students. These courses are especially recommended for those students interested in the Honors Program and in graduate study.
With the exception of 199 courses, all work in the major must be taken for a letter grade. Of the twelve upper-division courses required in the major, no more than two may be History 199 credits. (Exceptions to these rules may be allowed upon petition to the Director of Undergraduate Studies.)
Lower-Division
Sequences
HILD 2 A-B-C
United States History
HILD 7 A-B-C Race and Ethnicity in the United States
HILD 10-11-12 East Asia
Students may also satisfy the lower-division requirement for the major by completing the Revelle College Humanities Sequence or the Roosevelt College "Making of the Modern World" Sequence. Students entering with advanced placement (AP) credit in history may waive part of the lower-division requirement.
Transfer students, after consulting with the Director of Undergraduate Studies may petition to substitute a two-semester or three quarter survey from another school for the department's lower-division requirement.
See ASSIST for transferable courses from Junior Colleges in California.
ELIBILITY
Students must declare a double major once reaching junior standing (90 units) and no later than 135 units. Student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 for approval.
Double majors must graduate with no more than 240 total units.
PROCEDURES:
1) See your college academic adviser for the Double Major Petition.
2) Student must prepare a Quarter by Quarter plan, and a brief Statement of Purpose.
3) Complete the Double Major Petition with each departmentŐs Undergraduate Student Affairs Adviser.
4) Students may overlap up to 2 courses in each department to satisfy requirements in both majors. Students will need to submit a copy of the syllabus with the petition.
(History allows overlaps from the following departments: Anthropology, Ethnic Studies, Literature, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, Theater, and Urban Studies).
5) For History, the Petition must be signed by a faculty adviser in that field group.
6) The College Academic Advising Office has final approval
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