History - Major

The History program aims to develop in students an understanding of the importance of the past in human experience. This past serves as a foundation and frame of reference for their pursuit of knowledge in the classroom and in the wider world. Students gain a sophisticated awareness of the discipline of history, discovering that it is more than mere fact-gathering; it involves multiple methods and interpretations of the past. Finally, the department’s goal is that all majors will engage in the dynamic study of history by developing their own insights and interpretations of the past. The history program can be combined with inclusive early childhood/childhood or inclusive adolescence teacher certification for students pursuing careers in education. A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required for student teaching.

Students from a variety of majors may also wish to pursue a minor in history.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Develop an awareness of the approach and methodology of history as a discipline
Master major historical facts
Have an understanding of the time frame of historical events
Be able to collect and analyze primary source evidence
Have an acquaintance with the basic works and interpretations of leading scholars in the study of a particular era or field of inquiry (i.e., historiography)
Develop basic competence in the historical and political geography of the period under study

Core Curriculum Requirements

All Nazareth students complete Core Curriculum coursework as part of their degree requirements. The Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences while guiding students to pose and explore their own intellectual questions. See Academic Policies and Procedures for specific core curriculum requirements.

History Core

Introductory Courses

Complete the following required course (3 credits):
HIS.Q 177 - US History from Colonial Era to the Contemporary Era Credits: 3
Pre-Modern Era - complete one of the following (3 credits):
HIS.Q 106 - Asian History I Credits: 3
HIS.Q 109 - Premodern World History Credits: 3
Modern Era - complete two of the following (6 credits):
HIS.Q 107 - Asian History II Credits: 3
HIS.Q 108 - Atlantic World History Credits: 3
HIS.Q 213 - Epidemics and Pandemics in US Society, 1492- Present. Credits: 3
Upper Level Requirements
Theory and Methods - complete the following (6 credits):
HIS 381 - Historical Methodology Credits: 3 (usually completed fall sophomore year)
HIS 481 - Senior Seminar: History and Historiography Credits: 3 (usually completed spring senior year)
Senior Seminar (HIS*481) is a writing-intense research seminar. Students apply their skills as serious students of history to a research project of their own design. The seminar’s topic will be based on the participating faculty member’s current research interest, but will be sufficiently broad to allow students to develop research projects in their own fields of interest. Each student will engage in an extensive search for sources, including both primary and secondary documents. These sources will serve as the foundation of a formal research paper, which will be the culmination of the student’s efforts in the course, and which will represent their efforts at historical interpretation.

Upper Division Electives

Complete six elective courses (18 credits) in history from levels 200, 300, 400; students may use up to two courses in PSC as history electives

Sample Program for History - Major

Freshman Year

Perspectives - Enduring Questions (PEQ) Credits: 3
Perspectives - Enduring Questions (PEQ) Math and Science with Lab Credits 7
Health/Wellness Credits: 0
Foreign Language 101 - 102 Level Credits: 6

As well as:

ENGW 101 - Exposition Credits: 3
ENGW 102 - Argument and Research Credits: 3
ACS 101 - Academic and College Success Credits: 1
FYS course PEQ
Plus, complete one Pre-Modern Era Course:
HIS.Q 106 - Asian History I Credits: 3
HIS.Q 109 - Premodern World History Credits: 3
Plus, complete two Modern Era Courses:
HIS.Q 107 - Asian History II Credits: 3
HIS.Q 108 - Atlantic World History Credits: 3
HIS.Q 213 - Epidemics and Pandemics in US Society, 1492- Present. Credits: 3

Sophomore Year

Perspectives - Enduring Questions (PEQ) Credits: 12
Experiential Learning (EL) Pathway
Electives Credits: 9

As well as:

HIS.Q 177 - US History from Colonial Era to the Contemporary Era Credits: 3
HIS 381 - Historical Methodology Credits: 3

Junior Year

Upper Division History Credits: 9
Integrative Studies (IS) Credits: 9
Core Milestone Experience (CME) Credits: 0
Electives Credits: 6
DEIB designated course/Liberal Arts Electives Credits: 6

Senior Year

Upper Division History Credits: 9
Electives Credits: 18

As well as:

HIS 481 - Senior Seminar: History and Historiography Credits: 3