History, B.A.

Besides the specific learning outcomes listed below, JCU history majors will acquire an appreciation for the diversity of human experience. They will engage in serious reflection on questions of social justice and cultivate a competence in a particular area of study. Finally, they will develop an appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of historical research and writing.

Program Learning Goals in History

Students will:

1. Think critically:

   • assess the strengths and weaknesses of historical arguments.

   • critically interrogate primary and secondary sources.

   • employ these sources properly in fashioning their own historical arguments.

2. Research: become competent researchers who can discover pertinent primary and secondary sources.

3. Write: become effective writers who can clearly and elegantly express a complex, thesis-driven historical argument.

4. Speak: develop skills in public speaking and oral presentation.

5. Apply historical knowledge and skills in practical contexts.

Any single course within the program may emphasize one or more of these goals. Students should start with one or more 2000-level courses, which introduce students to the study of significant historical topics or themes through the use and interpretation of primary-source materials and historical arguments. Students should then proceed to advanced courses at the 3000 or 4000 level. Majors should take HS 3000 in the sophomore year, in preparation for HS 4090 in the junior or senior year. A grade of at least “C” must be earned in HS 3000 before a student may enroll in HS 4090.

In consultation with their advisor, students majoring in history develop a thematic, regional, or chronologically-based concentration suiting their interests within the framework of a balanced program. Majors are urged to seek experiential learning opportunities that may involve internships through the department at a local historical society or course- or service-related travel components. Pertinent courses from other departments may be included in the major program with the written approval of the student’s major advisor. Foreign language study beyond University Core requirements and/or statistics are recommended for students who plan to do graduate work in history.

Students who combine a history major with a second major or a minor or concentration complementing their interest—and with an experiential learning component or internship—put themselves in excellent positions to enter careers in law, business, secondary education, social service professions, nonprofit organizations, or graduate study in history. The department participates in the following interdisciplinary programs: Catholic Studies; Law and Society, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Population and Public Health, Peace, Justice, and Human Rights; and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies.

All majors in the Humanities and Social Sciences complete a 0 credit course, CE 2001, "CAS Professional Development Program" as one of their degree requirements. In this course, students are introduced to resources and strategies for finding internships, articulating transferable skills, and preparing for employment or graduate/professional schools after college. Students typically complete this course in their sophomore year. Opportunities for ongoing Professional Development will be provided within the major, in collaboration with Career Services.

Major Requirements

39 credit hours, at least 24 of which must be at the 3000 and 4000 level. At least 20 hours must be taken in residence.

History core:

Subtotal: 18

Regional electives:

9 credit hours, all at the 3000/4000 level – one course each in the following three areas: 

United States: course, course, course, course, course, course, course, course

Europe: HS3030, HS3205, HS3207, HS3210, HS3212, HS3226, course, course, course, course, HS4206, HS4211, HS4212, course, course, HS4273, course, course, course

Asia, Africa, Latin America: HS3381, HS3382, HS3383, HS3399, HS3472, course, HS4352, course, course, course

Subtotal: 9

General electives:

12 credit hours, at least 9 of which must be at the 3000/4000 level.

Elective courses in the major should focus on a region or theme to be pursued in Senior Seminar.

Subtotal: 12

AYA History Major

Students pursuing AYA (Adolescent/Young Adult Education) coursework and seeking licensure in secondary education should consult in timely fashion with the Department of Education and their academic advisor.  These programs may entail work beyond the normal four years.  Students in the Integrated Social Studies teaching licensure program must complete the following courses as part of their curriculum content requirements:

Global Studies [one course from the following options] course, course, course, course, course, course, course

Studies of Asia, Africa, and Latin America [two courses from following options] course, course, course, course, course, course, course, course, course, course, course, course, or course

Upper-division courses [three 3000- or 4000-level electives from the following options] HS3033, course, HS3138,
HS3140, HS3143, HS3205, HS3207, HS3210, HS3226, course, HS3236, HS3240, HS3381, HS3382, HS3383, HS3472, course, HS4206, HS4212, course, course, HS4273, course, HS4288, HS4352, course

Additional coursework for licensure: EC 1101, ED 2315, PO 1100, PS 1010, and SC 1010.

Total Credit Hours: 54