History
Description
History is the study of how societies and cultures across the world change over time. History concentrators learn to write and think critically, and to understand issues from a variety of perspectives. The department offers a wide variety of courses concerned with changes in human experience through time, ranging from classical Greek and Roman civilizations to the histories of Europe, the Americas, and Asia. While some courses explore special topics, others concentrate on the history of a particular country (e.g. Russia or France) or period of time (e.g. the Middle Ages or the Renaissance). By taking advantage of our diverse course offerings, students can engage in and develop broad perspectives on the past and the present.
Student Goals
Students in this concentration will:
- Approach the study of the past from a multicultural perspective
- Understand the nature of evidence and its relation to different historical methodologies
- Develop expertise in at least one chronological and geographical field of study
- Hone their writing abilities
- Produce a body of original, historical research
Requirements
Click here for a list of the History concentration requirements. For more information about this concentration, please visit the department's website.
Honors and Capstones
View Honors websiteCapstone seminars (numbered in the 1970-1989 series) are designed to serve as an intellectual culmination of the concentration, providing an opportunity to delve deeply into a historical problem and to write a major research and/or analytical paper All students must complete the capstone. Qualifying students who wish to write a thesis may apply for the Honors program. Honors students must have achieved two-thirds “quality grades” (grades of “A” or “S with Distinction”) in History department courses. Honors is normally a three-semester process. HIST 1992 is optional and HIST 1993 and HIST 1994 are required. Students going abroad during their 6th semester should take HIST 1992 in semester 5, to prepare them for research in foreign archives. Seniors may complete their theses in either semester 7 or semester 8. Students who are considering applying for Honors are encouraged to meet with the History Department Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS). Please consult the department’s website for a complete description of admission procedures and requirements.
Liberal Learning
This concentration allows you to address the following Liberal Learning goals:
- Expand your reading skills
- Understand differences among cultures
- Embrace Diversity
- Engage with your community
- Learn what it means to study the past
- Evaluate human behavior
- Work on your speaking and writing