UMUC

School of Undergraduate Studies

History

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

Major in History

The major in history 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.

Objectives

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

  • Demonstrate an understanding of historical methods and recognize how history is written and interpreted over major periods.
  • Demonstrate a chronological understanding of the diverse peoples, events and cultures that have shaped human civilization.
  • Recognize and employ critical thinking in analyzing and presenting history.
  • Demonstrate awareness of the ethical and social issues associated with writing and interpreting history.
  • Evaluate current events from a historical perspective.
  • Conduct research and identify, evaluate and present information using primary and secondary resources.

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).

History Major - Course Requirements

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BA in history. 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.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡

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 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
  • WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
  • MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3) or higher-level math course

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

  • ‡ HIST 115 World History I (3) or HIST 141 Western Civilization I (first course in required world history sequence for the major)
  • PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or a foreign language course or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance or literature course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement
  • Both BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3) and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1) or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology or other course(s) to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement
  • WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing requirement
  • GVPT 170 American Government (3) or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO or WMST course to fulfill the first behavioral and social sciences requirement
  • IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3) or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
  • ‡ HIST 116 World History II (3) or HIST 142 Western Civilization II (second course in required world history sequence for the major)

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

  • ‡ HIST 156 History of the United States to 1865 (3)
  • PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3) or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other course to fulfill the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)
  • NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3) or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other course to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement
  • ‡ HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 (3)
  • ARTH 370 History of World Art I (3) or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
  • SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3) or COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing or speech requirement
  • IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3) or other course to fulfill the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement
  • HUMN 351 Myth and Culture (3) (recommended elective)

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

  • WRTG 391/391X Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ upper-level advanced writing requirement
  • ‡ HIST 309 Introduction to Historical Writing (3)
  • ‡ HIST 364 Emergence of Modern America: 1900 to 1945 (3) or other U.S. distribution course for the major
  • ‡ HIST 336 Europe in the 19th Century: 1815 to 1919 (3) or other European distribution course for the major
  • ‡ HIST 481 History of Modern China (3) or HIST 483 History of Japan Since 1800 or other world regions distribution course for the major
  • ‡ HIST 365 Recent America: 1945 to the Present (3) or other supplemental major course
  • ‡ HIST 377 Europe's Bloodiest Century (3) or other supplemental major course
  • ‡ HIST 465 World War II (3) or other supplemental major course

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (40)

Total credits for BA in history: 120