History, B.A., Online*

Program of Study

History interprets the past for the present by exploring the institutions, ideas, cultures, and creations of men and women in the context of time and place. It is focused on change over time; both change of the subjects of study and of historians’ attempts to make sense of those subjects. History ranges over all of recorded human experience, drawing from and placing in context the achievements of the arts, sciences, social sciences, and other humanities.
The student of history will learn to evaluate evidence critically, to sift and organize evidence fairly and persuasively, to analyze the evidence for its patterns and meanings, and to integrate this into a broad scope of human experience. Historical study provides perspective, helping individuals to place their own lives, values, and world events in context, and to recognize the processes of change that have brought them to the present. 

*The History, B.A., Online is offered entirely asynchronous online, through Extended Learning.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in History will be able to: 

1. Develop historical research questions, formulate appropriate research strategies, and critically evaluate evidence about the past; 
2. Develop and defend historical arguments, demonstrating an understanding of different theoretical  approaches to historical interpretation;
3. Effectively communicate, in clear and convincing prose, an understanding of the causes of historical change;
4. Evaluate the influence of new digital and multimedia formats on the practice and presentation of history; and
5. Describe several varieties of experience found in the historical record and explain why diversity is a critical component of history.
    

Career Opportunities

History majors find careers in a great variety of fields. History is a traditional preparation for law, foreign service, teaching, public affairs, journalism, and work in museums or historical societies. History majors hold such diverse positions as presidents of banks, personnel officers, senators, network news anchors, purchasing agents, city managers, judges, business owners, and public safety officers. In addition, there is a growing arena of careers directly related to history—museum directors, curators, historical consultants, archivists, historical site administrators, and historic preservation officers. Both government agencies and private corporations hire historians to research, analyze, and organize their records. Many of these latter careers require some graduate work in history.

General Education (43 Units)

General Education Requirements . 

Note: Nine (9) units of the Major Requirements will double count for General Education Requirements.

Language Proficiency (0-9 Units)

All History majors must meet a second-language proficiency requirement. This is satisfied with a 200-level class or demonstrating proficiency in a language other than English. For details on how to satisfy this requirement, please refer to Language Proficiency Requirement.

Lower-Division Preparation for the Major (12 Units)

Completion of twelve (12) units of lower-division history study, which must include two two-course sequences, each focusing on a different world area. Completion of the lower-division general education requirements, especially the writing composition course, is also strongly recommended prior to undertaking upper-division coursework.

These courses simultaneously fulfill major preparation and General Education Requirements .

Major Requirements (57 Units)

• GEOG 311  - Earth: The Habitable Planet Units: 3
• HIST 301  - Historical Methods and Writing Units: 3
• Seventeen (17) 300-level History courses Units: 51
• 400-level History seminar course Units: 3

Of the 57 units:

• One course must have the majority of its content before 1800.
• One course must have considerable content on Women’s History/Gender.
• Courses in the major must be taken from at least three different world areas that include: Africa, Ancient, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, United States, and Comparative/Transnational History.
• All history courses counted toward the major, including Preparation for the Major courses, must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Minimum Total (120 Units)

Students must take a sufficient number of elective units to bring the total number of units to a minimum of 120.