Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History

4-Year Degree Plan [Sample]

Academic Advising

College policy on advising requires that students meet with their academic advisors at least once each year, and in some departments, prior to each semester’s to enrollment. Advising holds are placed on all CLAS students prior to advance registration and are released following advising appointments. Students with a declared major are advised in their academic units. To determine who your advisor is and how to contact them, see Onestart.

Degree Requirements (120 cr.)

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

• The IU South Bend campuswide general-education curriculum (33-39 cr.)
• The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Arts additional requirements (14-23 cr.)
• Major concentration and elective requirements.
• The Required Minor (15-18 cr.) taken in any campus school or interdisciplinary program.
• A minimum of 30 credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.

In addition, major and minor requirements must be completed with a grade of C– or higher.

All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise designated.

Major Requirements (30 cr.)

• No more than 6 credit hours may be taken at the 100-level. All other courses should be at the 200-level or above. All courses are three credits unless otherwise noted.
• HIST-H 217 The Nature of History (should be taken sophomore year)
• HIST-J 495 Proseminar for History Majors

Select no more than two of the following (6 cr.)

• HIST-A 100 Issues in United States History
• HIST-H 101 The World in the Twentieth Century I
• HIST-H 105 American History I
• HIST-H 106 American History II
• HIST-H 113 History of Western Civilization 1
• HIST-H 114 History of Western Civilization 2
• HIST-S 105 American History Honors Survey 1
• HIST-S 106 American History Honors Survey 2

Select six additional courses; two from each of the three areas listed below.

American History

• HIST-H 226 Origins and History of the Cold War
• HIST-H 260 History of Women in the United States
• HIST-A 300 Issues in United States History
• HIST-A 301 Colonial America
• HIST-A 302 Revolutionary America
• HIST-A 303 United States, 1789-1865 I
• HIST-A 304 United States, 1789-1865 II
• HIST-A 310 Survey of American Indians I
• HIST-A 315 U.S. Since World War II
• HIST-A 346 American Diplomatic History 2
• HIST-A 348  Civil War and Reconstruction
• HIST-A 351 The United States in W.W. II
• HIST-A 352 History of Latinos in the U.S.
• HIST-A 355 African American History I
• HIST-A 356 African American History II
• HIST-A 363 Survey of Indiana History
• HIST-A 373 American History Through Film
• HIST-A 374 September 11 and Its Aftermath

European History

• HIST-B 260 Women, Men, and Society in Modern Europe
• HIST-B 300 Issues in Western European History
• HIST-B 342 Women in Medieval Society
• HIST-B 346 The Crusades
• HIST-B 352 West Europe- High/Late Middle Ages
• HIST-B 361 Europe in the Twentieth Century I
• HIST-B 362 Europe in the Twentieth Century II
• HIST-B 378 History of Germany Since 1648
• HIST-C 386 Greek History-Minoans to Alexander
• HIST-C 388 Roman History
• HIST-C 391 History of Medieval Near East
• HIST-D 308 Empire of the Tsars
• HIST-D 310 Russian Revolution and Soviet Regime
• HIST-H 201 History of Russia I
• HIST-H 202 History of Russia II
• HIST-H 205 Ancient Civilization
• HIST-H 206 Medieval Civilization

Latin American/Asian History

• HIST-G 358 Early Modern Japan
• HIST-G 369 Modern Japan
• HIST-H 207 Modern East Asian Civilization
• HIST-H 211 Latin American Culture and Civilization 1
• HIST-H 212 Latin American Culture and Civilization 2
• HIST-W 300 Issues in World History

The sub-area of the following courses varies depending on the section number and instructor.  Accordingly, students should consult with their departmental advisor about where these courses might fit each semester.

• HIST-H 225 Special Topics in History
• HIST-H 425 Topics in History

Because HIST-J 495 Proseminar for History Majors is the capstone of the major program, no history major is allowed to take it without demonstrating thorough preparation. That is done by submitting a portfolio of written work to the department chair at least 60 days before the seminar begins. A portfolio is a collection of written materials that documents a student’s individual progress through the history major. It encourages students to reflect critically on their coursework and experiences as history majors as they get ready to take HIST-J 495 Proseminar for History Majors.

Contents of the portfolio:

• Formal job resume
• Five essays (students should include the original copies with the course instructor’s comments and grade)
• Two research papers that include systematic documentation
• Three essay examinations
• Self-analysis essay (What do the materials included in my portfolio say about my learning experience as a history major?)

No more than three items in any portfolio may come from any one course.

World Languages

Students are encouraged to continue their world languages study beyond the two years required by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Graduate schools generally require mastery of one world language for the study of American history and of two or more world languages for study of other fields of history. Students with appropriate language competence are encouraged to participate in the university’s various programs of international study.