Major in History

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in history.

The history major prepares students to read and analyze historical works with critical insight and appreciate the range and variety of resources, as well as demonstrate knowledge of the development and cultural diversity of their respective areas of study. Students develop their research skills using libraries, archives, and online sources to acquire a sense of intellectual property and the responsibility of presenting and interpreting historical issues. They also develop writing skills to clearly express their findings using the language of the discipline. The history major prepares students for graduate study in history and for careers in education, writing and publishing, journalism, law, public relations, business, government, and management.

An articulation agreement between UMUC's Undergraduate School and Graduate School allows eligible students who complete their undergraduate degree at UMUC with a major in history to reduce their total coursework for the Master of Arts in Teaching by 12 credits (two courses) and complete both degrees with a total of 138 credits of coursework. More information is available in the graduate catalog.

Intended Program Outcomes

The student who graduates with a major in history will be able to

• Organize and use primary and secondary sources for research, interpretation, and presentation of historical knowledge.
• Convey historical information by writing and speaking clearly and appropriately for different audiences and with an appreciation of diverse viewpoints.
• Engage in history as a moral and ethical practice, recognizing a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.
• Cultivate historical habits of mind, apply historical precedents to contemporary developments, remain open to historical interpretation as an incomplete process, and develop self-reflection to mitigate bias.
• Demonstrate a chronological understanding of the different peoples, events, and cultures that have shaped human civilization.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in history requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 33 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 46 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 17 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the History Major

Coursework for a major in history includes the following:

• Foundation course (3 credits): HIST 289
• Required U.S. history sequence (6 credits): HIST 156 and 157
• Required methodology course (3 credits): HIST 309
• World history sequence (6 credits): HIST 115–116 or HIST 141–142
• U.S. distribution course (3 credits): HIST 360, 361, 362, 364, 365, 372, 376, 377, 381, 453, 460, 461, 462, 463, or 467
• European distribution course (3 credits): HIST 324, 325, 326, 327, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 358, 375, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 443, or 448
• World regions distribution course (3 credits): HIST 341, 342, 353, 354, 382, 383, 389, 392, 464, 465, 466, 480, 481, 482, 483, or 485
• Supplemental major course (3 credits): Any upper-level HIST course
• Capstone course (3 credits): HIST 495

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BA in history. Coursework for the major is indicated by . Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

History Degree Courses

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

• EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3)
  (strongly recommended as first course)
• LIBS 150 Introduction to Research (1)
• WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)
• MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3)
  or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

• PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
  or a foreign language course or other arts and humanities course
• Both BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
  and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
  or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology or other biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory course(s)
• WRTG 291 Research Writing (3)
  or other communications/writing course
• HIST 115 World History I (3)
  or HIST 141 Western Civilization I or other first course in required world history sequence for the major
• GVPT 170 American Government (3)
  or other behavioral and social sciences course
• IFSM 201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology (3)
  or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
• HIST 116 World History II (3)
  or HIST 142 Western Civilization II or other second course in required world history sequence for the major

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

• PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
  or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other behavioral and social sciences course (discipline must differ from first)
• NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
  or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other biological and physical sciences lecture course
• HIST 156 History of the United States to 1865 (3)
• ARTH 372 History of Western Art I (3)
  or other arts and humanities/historical perspective course (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
• SPCH 100 Foundations of Oral Communication (3)
  or COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts or other communication, writing, or speech course
• CMIS 111 Social Networking and Cybersecurity Best Practices (3)
  or other interdisciplinary issues/computing course
• HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 (3)
• HIST 289 Historical Methods (3)

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

• WRTG 391 Advanced Research Writing (3)
  or other communications/upper-level advanced writing course
• HIST 309 Historical Writing (3)
• HIST 364 Emergence of Modern America: 1900 to 1945 (3)
  or other U.S. distribution course for the major
• HIST 337 Europe's Bloodiest Century (3)
  or other European distribution course for the major
• HIST 481 History of China from the Opium War to Deng Xioping (3)
  or HIST 483 History of Japan Since the Late Edo Period or other world regions distribution course for the major
• HIST 465 World War II (3)
  or other supplemental major course

Capstone Course for Major (to be taken after all other courses for the major)

• HIST 495 Senior Thesis in History (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (43)
(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses)

Recommended Electives

• EDTP 500 Professional Fundamentals of Teaching and Learning
  (for qualified students who plan to enter the MAT program at UMUC; students should note prerequisites and consult an advisor)
• EDTP 535 Adolescent Development and Learning Needs
  (for qualified students who plan to enter the MAT program at UMUC; students should note prerequisites and consult an advisor)

Total credits for BA in history: 120

• History Degree Planning Worksheet