Course Resources

1000 level courses

These are the department’s courses that start with 1xxx. History 1121 is mandatory for majors and minors; majors must take either HIST 1160 or 1161 (licensure majors must take both). 1000 level courses are open to all undergraduates; no prerequisite.

The 1000 level or survey courses cover expansive time periods, and or geographical areas. Their objective is to have you attain content knowledge and receive an introduction to historical sources, analysis, and debate.

Minimum Course Expectations

  • Course readings: 30-50 pages per week from a textbook or instructor-selected readings.
  • Writing: 1000 level courses have no specific requirements beyond the writing you will do for tests and exams. Your instructor may choose to have you complete a few additional small exercises.
  • Test/Exams: All history courses require written test/exam essays. Your instructor most likely will combine this with other evaluative means.

2000 level courses

These are the department’s courses that start with 2xxx. 2000 level courses are open to all undergraduates, except History 2005 (Learning Community members only) and 2600 (majors or minors with nine hours of History); no prerequisite.

The 2000 level or intermediate courses cover broad topics, time periods and/or geographic areas. Emphasis remains on student understanding of pertinent concepts, in addition to exposure to historical sources, analysis, and debate.

Minimum Course Expectations

  • Course readings: 80-100 pages per week from various primary and/or secondary readings.
  • Writing: Each 2000 level course requires either a short paper or multiple writing exercises based on the material you learn in class or in the course readings.
  • Tests/Exams: All history courses require written test/exam essays. Your instructor may combine this with other evaluative means.

History 2600 Skills Seminar (O & W goal)

Taken as part of fulfilling the major requirements; preferably after completion of one or two history courses. This course is restricted to history majors and minors with nine hours of History. Must make a C or higher for the course to count towards the major/graduation. Prerequisite: History major standing.

The History Skills seminar serves to introduce history to you, and allow you to practice the skills needed for historical investigation and communication; both in written and oral formats. Each course is centered around a topic, and progressively builds your competencies. Course readings vary per topic.

Minimum Course Expectations

  • An exercise in which you learn how to gather reliable sources, and how to evaluate their quality and reliability. This exercise will include a library introduction and meeting with the reference librarian.
  • An exercise in which you learn to summarize, interpret and re-interpret a variety of oral, visual, or written primary sources. Your instructor will teach you aspects of source interpretation as you progress.
  • Practice in the development of a proper research question, thesis statement, and conclusion for a research project or paper.
  • Multiple opportunities to practice the specific conventions and mechanics of historical writing (style, citation, bibliography, etc) and oral debate (articulation, argument, response, etc). The instructor will provide you with face to face feedback before you move to the next exercise.

3000 level courses

These are the department’s courses that start with 3xxx. 3000 level courses are open to all undergraduates; no prerequisite.

The 3000 level or advanced courses cover specific topics, defined time periods and/or geographical areas in a detailed fashion. Emphasis is on student exposure to historical sources, analysis, and debate.

Minimum Course Expectations

  • Course readings: 100-150 pages per week from multiple primary and secondary source readings in book, article, or document form.
  • Writing: Each 3000 level course requires either a sizable paper or multiple writing exercises based on the material you need to gather from the library or other reputable sources per instructor’s directions.
  • Tests/Exams: All history courses require written test/exam essays. 3000 level tests and exams will predominantly consist of essay questions.

4000 level courses

These are the department’s courses that start with 4xxx. History majors only; prerequisite: History 2600 with a C or higher. Must make a C or higher for the course to count towards the major/graduation.

The 4000 level historiography courses serve to introduce you to the nature of historiographical analysis and historical criticism, as well as, prepare you for your senior research seminar. This reading-intensive course offers an examination of the evolution of the historical craft in general, as well as, a detailed study of a specific school and/or debate. In addition, you will develop analytical and interpretive bibliographical skills, practice historical writing; and learn how to craft a historiographical essay.

Minimum Course Expectations

  • Course readings: 150-250 pages per week from historical texts, biographies of historians, and historical criticism in book and article form; leveling off towards the end of the course.

  • Writing: Multiple short writing exercises using formal conventions, that practice bibliographical analysis and historical criticism; 12-15 page historiographical essay with at least one draft.

  • Assessment: your writings; possibly in addition to course essays.

4600 senior research seminars (W)

History majors only, prerequisite: History 400x with a C or higher.

The senior capstone research seminars serve to assess your ability to formulate a comprehensive research proposal and investigate and write an original research paper; following the conventions of the profession. Each seminar is centered around a topic or theme, building on the skills you learned in 2600 and 4000. Course readings vary per topic.

Minimum Course Expectations

  • An analytical reading/writing practicum in advance of the final paper, in which you learn to appraise historical contexts/values, authorial points of view, and shifts/changes over time of the topic at hand.
  • A graduated reading/writing exercise in which you draft a research proposal that lays out pertinent/concise lines of inquiry, mobilizes and evaluates appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative written, oral, and electronic primary and secondary sources; and places the inquiry in the appropriate historiographical context.
  • A persuasively written research paper of 15-20 pages in multiple drafts, that adheres to the norms and conventions of the profession; and contains a specific research thesis, a historiographical introduction, sound historical arguments substantiated with primary and secondary source material, and a concise conclusion. You will meet with the instructor at least once face to face and critique your progress before submitting your final draft.