University Catalogues

History Major

Since the present was forged in the past, the study of history is uniquely suited to enable us to comprehend and deal with the modern world. A major in History promotes critical thinking, data analysis and communication skills. It also provides excellent preparation for careers in professional fields such as business, law, journalism, government and education. In addition to a wide range of courses and the opportunity to undertake directed studies, the Department of History offers both a major and minor. Students participate in broadly-based and globally-oriented study through either a regional concentration (American, European, Asian or Latin American/Caribbean) or a thematic concentration (for example, economic or military history.) 

In addition to the specific major requirements described below, students must also complete all designated requirements in Foundations for Success, Contexts & Perspectives in the Arts & Sciences, Business Dynamics, Communication Intensive coursework, and the additional degree requirements for Arts & Sciences majors (including the Modern Language requirement).  Details can be found in the Degree Requirements section of the catalogue, including the Overview and the Arts & Sciences Majors tabs.

Students must receive approval from the History Department Chair for a regional concentration or thematic area within history.  Examples might include American, European, Asian or Latin American/Caribbean, or thematic concentrations in economic history, social history or war and society.  Students are encouraged to speak to the department chair as early in their career as possible to seek approval for their concentration courses.

Course Title Credits
Required Courses
Four courses in a field of regional concentration, or in a thematic area in history approved by the Department Chair12
One course in non-Western history3
Latin America (1800-present)
History of China: Before Confucius, After Mao (formerly HI 270)
History of Japan: Samurai and Salarymen (formerly HI 272)
Middle East: Islamic and Contemporary (formerly HI 284)
Modern South Asia
The Caribbean: Past, Present, Future
Contemporary Japan
Fashion Film and Food in South Asia
Women and Gender in South Asia
South Asian Religions
History and Culture of North Korea
Selected Topics in Asian History
Selected Topics in Latin American/Caribbean History
Two unrestricted history electives (any HI course not otherwise required)6
HI 402Seminar in History3
Total Credits:24

Approved History Themes

Concentration/themes within history must be approved by the History Chair.  Possible options include, but are not limited to:

Course Title Credits
History of the Americas
Latin America (1800-present)
The Caribbean: Past, Present, Future
Colonial America (1400-1750)
The Revolutionary Generation in the United States (1750-1815)
Modern United States History (1920-present)
Constitutional History of the United States
Economic History of the United States
Work and the American Worker
History of American Technology
Serfs, Slaves and Sojourners: The Minority Experience in the United States
The American Religious Experience
History of Capitalism in Modern America
American Environmental History
The United States: From Nation to Empire (1865-1920)
America and Its Arts
U.S. Women's History
Immigration in U.S. History
History of American Sports
Baseball as American History
History of Boston
The Civil War
European History
History of Ireland: From St. Patrick to "The Troubles"
Arts and Society
The Medieval West
The Romantic Age
Modern British History
The Soviet Union and After
World War I
World War II
Europe Reborn: From Cold War to the War in Ukraine
War and Society
Genocide in Modern History
Historic Approach to Modern Terrorism
Revolutions and the Modern World
The Revolutionary Generation in the United States (1750-1815)
The Civil War
World War I
World War II
The Vietnam War
Economic History
History of the World Economy
Economic History of the United States
Work and the American Worker
History of Capitalism in Modern America
Asian History
History of China: Before Confucius, After Mao (formerly HI 270)
History of Japan: Samurai and Salarymen (formerly HI 272)
Middle East: Islamic and Contemporary (formerly HI 284)
Modern South Asia
Fashion Film and Food in South Asia
Women and Gender in South Asia
South Asian Religions

 Additional thematic areas are available upon approval. Examples include “The Formation of the Atlantic World,” “Early Civilizations,” and “The Medieval and Early Modern World.”