Department: History
Department Chair: M. Clark-Wiltz
Department Members: E. Bakhtary, M. Clark-Wiltz, L. Hurtado, K. Streit
Major: History
Minor: History
The department of history provides the means in the liberal arts curriculum by which undergraduate students learn to better understand the present and prepare for the future by studying the past.
To fulfill this mission, the department provides its students with the main outlines of European, North American, and non-Western history; cultivates in them the skills required to analyze and interpret historical phenomena; shows them how to evaluate the writings of other historians; and instructs them in the techniques of historical research and writing. As a result of this training, students majoring in history will be able to conduct historical research, write about historical topics analytically, and apply an informed historical perspective to the world in which they live. They will specifically be prepared for graduate school, employment in historical organizations, a career in teaching, or entry into professions which utilize a historical point of view combined with research and writing skills.
All history majors and minors must earn at least a C- in each of the required history courses and must earn an overall C average in all history courses. A senior competency practicum (HIS 499) is required of all history majors and includes a written and an oral examination conducted by three history professors, unless the student requests one from a related field. A grade, representing an average of the two examinations, is entered on the student’s permanent record. The senior competency practicum (HIS 499) must be passed with a grade of C in order to satisfy graduation requirements.
History Major
Core Requirements
LA 102 The Past and Present: The World Since 1750
HIS 120 United States History to 1877
HIS 121 United States History since 1877
HIS 370 Historiography
HIS 499 Senior Competency Practicum
Professional Development Requirements
HIS 200 Public History
HIS 400 Senior Seminar (includes senior portfolio)
One course from each category, plus one additional course from any of these categories
(HIS 300 topics courses may substitute for any course in the appropriate category)
Category A
HIS 231 African American History
HIS 250 Indiana History
HIS 325 History of American Thought
HIS/WST 332 History of Women in the United States
HIS 335 United States History Since 1945
Category B
HIS 210 Introduction to Latin American History and Culture
HIS 214 The South Atlantic World, 1400-1824
HIS 230 History of Canada
HIS 310 Modern Latin America
Category C
HIS 348 Germany and Europe: 1848-1945
HIS 350 Europe Since 1945
HIS 356 Russian History
Category D
HIS 205 World History to 1750
HIS 340 Global Military History
HIS 361 East Asian History
HIS 365 History of the Middle East
Related Field Requirement
Twelve semester hours from related fields are to be selected in consultation with the student’s departmental advisor. (Note: the agreed list of courses must be submitted to the Academic Records Office, in writing, by the academic advisor). All related field requirements must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
History Minor
Required courses
LA 102 The Past and Present: The World Since 1750
HIS 120 United States History to 1877
HIS 121 United States History since 1877
Three courses, each from different categories
Category A
HIS 231 African American History
HIS 250 Indiana History
HIS 325 History of American Thought
HIS/WST 332 History of Women in the United States
HIS 335 United States History Since 1945
Category B
HIS 210 Introduction to Latin American History and Culture
HIS 214 The South Atlantic World, 1400-1824
HIS 230 History of Canada
HIS 310 Modern Latin America
Category C
HIS 348 Germany & Europe: 1848-1945
HIS 350 Europe Since 1945
HIS 356 Russian History
Category D
HIS 205 World History to 1750
HIS 340 Global Military History
HIS 361 East Asian History
HIS 365 History of the Middle East
Women’s Studies Program
Department: Sociology/History
Director: M. Clark-Wiltz
Women’s Studies Individualized Minor
Students can minor in Women’s Studies by proposing a personalized 15-credit hour plan. This plan includes WST 101 (required), Introduction to Women’s Studies, and courses and coursework in other disciplines that focus on issues of relevance to women’s studies (e.g., Women and Leadership, Women Photojournalists). Upon approval and completion of the proposed individualized plan, the minor appears on the student’s transcript.
A journalism major with an interest in women’s studies might propose the following:
WST 101 Introduction to Women’s Studies (4 hours)
WST/SOC 319 Gender and Sexualities (4 hours)
WST/MMJ 490 Independent Study/Advertising to the Woman (1 -2 hours)
PLUS: 5-6 hours in other Journalism courses where work focuses on women/gender
Revised 7-11-23