History, B.A.

Besides the specific learning outcomes listed below, JCU history majors will acquire an appreciation for the diversity of human experience. They will engage in serious reflection on questions of social justice and cultivate a competence in a particular area of study. Finally, they will develop an appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of historical research and writing.

Program Learning Goals in History

Students will:

1. Think critically:

   • assess the strengths and weaknesses of historical arguments.

   • critically interrogate primary and secondary sources.

   • employ these sources properly in fashioning their own historical arguments.

2. Research: become competent researchers who can discover pertinent primary and secondary sources.

3. Write: become effective writers who can clearly and elegantly express a complex, thesis-driven historical argument.

4. Speak: develop skills in public speaking and oral presentation.

Any single course within the program may emphasize one or more of these goals. Students should start with one or more 200-level courses, which introduce students to the study of significant historical topics or themes through the use and interpretation of primary-source materials and historical arguments. Students should then proceed to advanced courses at the 300 or 400 level. Majors should take HS 300 in the sophomore year, in preparation for HS 490 or 491 in the senior year. A grade of at least “C” must be earned in HS 300 before a student may enroll in HS 490 or 491.

In consultation with their advisor, students majoring in history develop a thematic, regional, or chronologically-based concentration suiting their interests within the framework of a balanced program. Majors are urged to seek experiential learning opportunities that may involve internships through the department at a local historical society or course- or service-related travel components. Pertinent courses from other departments may be included in the major program with the written approval of the student’s major advisor. Foreign language study beyond University Core requirements and/or statistics are recommended for students who plan to do graduate work in history.

Students who combine a history major with a second major or a minor or concentration complementing their interest—and with an experiential learning component or internship—put themselves in excellent positions to enter careers in law, business, secondary education, social service professions, nonprofit organizations, or graduate study in history. The department participates in the following interdisciplinary programs: Catholic Studies; East Asian Studies; Peace, Justice, and Human Rights; and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies.

The History Department participates in the College of Arts and Sciences Professional Development Program.

Major Requirements

39 credit hours, at least 24 of which must be at the 300 and 400 level. At least 20 hours must be taken in residence.

History core:

Subtotal: 18

Regional electives:

9 credit hours, all at the 300/400 level – one course each in the following three areas: United States; Europe; Asia, Africa, Latin America.

Subtotal: 9

General electives:

12 credit hours, at least 9 of which must be at the 300/400 level; at least one course besides HS 490/HS 491 must be at the 400 level.

Elective courses in the major should focus on a region or theme to be pursued in Senior Seminar or Senior Thesis.

Subtotal: 12

AYA History Major

Students pursuing AYA (Adolescent/Young Adult Education) coursework and seeking licensure in secondary education should consult in timely fashion with the Department of Education and their academic advisor.  These programs may entail work beyond the normal four years.  Students in the Integrated Social Studies teaching licensure program must complete the following courses as part of their curriculum content requirements:

Global Studies [one course] (these courses are global in scope and not limited to a single geographic region); Studies of Asia, Africa, and Latin America [two courses focusing on those areas]. Upper-division courses: three 300- or 400-level electives that support a regional or thematic focus.

Total Credit Hours: 39