History, B.A.

This program is excellent preparation for a wide range of careers. The emphasis on broadly applicable skills such as research, writing, face-to-face communication, and critical thinking prepare graduates for any number of jobs. More specifically, history graduates are especially well suited to work not only as archivists, academic historians, public historians and curators, but also as diplomats, editors, law clerks, librarians, publicists, and writers. A history degree is also superb academic preparation for graduate studies in law, business, and many academic disciplines.

In high school take history, English, geography, government, and foreign languages.

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements .

Requirements for the Major (48-52 Units)

All major courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better.

Core Courses (28 Units)

The following core courses are required for all majors.

HIST 110 - United States History to 1877 Units: 3
HIST 111 - United States History from 1877 Units: 3
HIST 210 - Historical Methods Units: 4

Survey Courses

Complete two courses selected in consultation with a major advisor.

HIST 104 - Western Civilization to 1650 Units: 3
HIST 105 - Western Civilization, 1650 to Present Units: 3
HIST 106B - Islamic Societies: The Making of the Muslim Middle East Units: 3
HIST 107 - East Asian History to 1644 Units: 3
HIST 108 - East Asian Civilization Since 1644 Units: 3
HIST 109 - Colonial Latin American History Units: 3
HIST 109B - Modern Latin America Units: 3
HIST 200 - World Cultures and History: Prehistory to 1500 CE Units: 3 (required for the History Education Concentration)
HIST 201 - World Cultures and History: 1500 CE to the Present Units: 3 (required for the History Education Concentration)

History Areas

Students must successfully complete HIST 210 before enrolling in history area courses.

European History Area

Complete 4 units.

HIST 300 - The Era of World War I Units: 3 and
HIST 300R - The Era of World War I, Research Seminar Units: 1
HIST 301 - The Era of World War II Units: 3 and
HIST 301R - The Era of World War II, Research Seminar Units: 1
HIST 314 - Ancient Greek Civilization and History Units: 4
HIST 315 - History and Civilization of Rome Units: 4
HIST 322 - The Age of Knights and Monks Units: 4
HIST 342 - Musketeers, Witches and Kings Units: 4
HIST 343 - French Revolution and Napoleon Units: 4
HIST 345 - Imperialism Units: 4
HIST 348 - Modern Germany Units: 4
HIST 349 - Renaissance and Reformation Units: 4
HIST 350 - History of the Soviet Union Units: 4
HIST 353 - Modern Britain Units: 4
HIST 392 - Special Topics in European History Units: 1-4

U.S. History Area

Complete 4 units. Students in the History Education Concentration may not use HIST 383 to fulfill this core requirement.

ECON 323 - Economic History of the US Units: 3 and
ECON 323D - Economic History of the U.S. - Additional Depth Units: 1
HIST 305 - The American West Units: 3 and
HIST 305M - The American West Depth Experience Units: 1
HIST 368 - Colonial and Revolutionary America Units: 4
HIST 369 - Age of Jefferson and Jackson Units: 4
HIST 371 - Civil War and Reconstruction Units: 4
HIST 372 - Rise of Modern America, 1877- 1929 Units: 4
HIST 374 - Contemporary America, 1929 to the Present Units: 4
HIST 375A - US Foreign Relations, 1789-1943 Units: 4
HIST 375B - US Foreign Relations, 1943-Present Units: 4
HIST 383 - California History Units: 4
HIST 391 - Special Topics and Interdisciplinary Studies in History Units: 1-4

World Regions History Area

Complete 4 units.

HIST 319 - Emergence of the Modern Middle East Units: 4
HIST 323 - Gender and Sexuality in East Asian History Units: 4
HIST 324 - The Arab-Israeli Conflict: History, Narratives and Nationalism Units: 4
HIST 326 - History of Mexico Units: 4
HIST 327 - History of Brazil Units: 4
HIST 328 - Women and Gender in Latin America Units: 4
HIST 329 - Imperial China Units: 4
HIST 338 - Modern Chinese History Units: 4
HIST 339 - Modern Japanese History Units: 4
HIST 377 - Vietnam Wars Units: 4
HIST 393 - Special Topics in Non-Western History Units: 1-4

Concentrations

History (Traditional), B.A.

History, Education Concentration, B.A.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will have demonstrated the ability to:

Locate diverse types of historical evidence; evaluate credibility, position or perspective; and determine how to use appropriately
Place primary and secondary sources in appropriate historical and historiographical context, with attention to the chronology, geography (local, national, and global), culture and methodology
Develop a body of historical knowledge with range and depth that recognizes the causes and consequences of continuity and change over time
Be able to understand and evaluate different perspectives and arguments, engaging with the ideas of other historians and citing them appropriately
Create a research question, conduct effective and wide-ranging research to procure evidence, formulate a persuasive analytical argument, and communicate it effectively in a written or oral format
Apply historical knowledge and analysis to contribute to contemporary social dialogue and to life-long learning and critical habits of mind essential to an effective and engaged citizenship.