The study of history covers all recorded expressions of human activity: political, economic, social, cultural, and intellectual. Because of its broad scope, history provides an exceptional introduction to all studies that concern human beings and their activities.  Historians seek to understand not only the past bu also how it informs the present. History focuses on the complex but essential issues of change over time.

The discipline of history demands and develops a broad perspective, analytical skills, and an ability to communicate with clarity and acumen. It is among the most useful disciplines because it enhances skills that can be beneficial in any vocational setting.

Student Learning Goals

1. Students will develop skills in research, critical thinking, data analysis, and oral and written communications.
   • Critical Thinking skills: Students develop their critical thinking skills.
   • Conduct research and analyze data: Students will learn where to find primary sources and historical scholarship in databases and libraries, as well as how to evaluate their sources.
   • Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing:
     1. Oral presentations: Students will give presentations on their research in the sophomore and senior seminars.
     2. Written work: Students will learn to write and incorporate their thesis in introductions to writing; smoothly integrate evidence into writing; organize their writing with coherent paragraphs, transitions, and flow of ideas; and correct citations following the Chicago style.
2. Students develop the skills and methods of historical scholars, including:
   • Historical Terminology: Students will know basic terminology in history.
   • Historical Methodology: Students will learn and apply methods of historians in writing and research in two research seminars.
   • Historial Analysis: Students will learn how to formulate interpretations of history that convey human agency, context, continuity, and change.
3. Students learn knowledge about historical geography, historical actors, social movements and ideas, and events of significance in at least three geographic regions.

Degree Requirements 

Students receiving the Bachelor of Arts in History degree must complete 120 total credit hours including:

• General Education Core (30 cr.)
• Foreign Language Requirement (14 cr.)
• Bachelor of Arts Distribution Requirement (15 cr.)
• Major Specific Requirements (37 cr.) 
• Electives as needed to complete 120 total credit hours

• A minimum of 30 credit hours at the 300- or 400-level
• Courses required for the major must be completed with a grade of C- or higher
• A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required
• Courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise noted

Major Specific Requirements  (37 hours)

Four courses from HIST- E 100, HIST-F 100, HIST-G 100, HIST-H 101, HIST-H 103, HIST-H 104, HIST-H 105, HIST-H 106

Six courses at the 200, 300 or 400 level, including two courses in one geographical area, one course in a second geographical area, one course in a third geographical area, and two additional courses;

HIST- H 236 Must take before senior year; cannot be taken at the same time as a senior seminar or the semester previous to senior seminar.

HIST-J 495  Students will not be authorized for Senior Seminar, in a semester in which they are taking Sophomore Seminar or in a semester immediately following the semester in which they took Sophomore Seminar.

No more than three courses that count toward the major can be transferred in or taken online via another IU campus.

HIST-H 236 and HIST-J 495 must be taken from IU Southeast faculty and will not be replaced with another class.

Capstone

Geographical Area History Courses