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General Information

Students new to History may wish to choose courses from those numbered 100-399 in any field, although some of the more advanced courses are also open without prerequisite to any undergraduate.

For course times and locations, see the University Course Offering Directory (COD).

For information beyond that contained in the course listings, see any history adviser. Many faculty advisers are on duty at various times throughout the day. You can contact them by telephoning 924-7146 or by stopping by Randall Hall, where lists of advisers, office numbers, and hours are posted.

History Seminars

Introductory Seminars (HIxx 100). The introductory seminar is a small discussion-oriented course. Most of these seminars satisfy the "Second Writing Course" Requirement. These seminars are open to first and second-year students and are intended to introduce undergraduates to reading, studying, and writing about history. The sections to be offered during the spring semester will take up different topics (see following pages), but each will enhance your critical capacities, sharpen reading and writing skills, and acquaint you with a variety of ways of apprehending the past. Most Introductory Seminars are considered "Writing Courses" and will satisfy the "Second Writing Requirement."

History Seminars (HIxx 401 or HIxx 402). History Seminars offer the opportunity to undertake historical research in an area of the student's interest, in close consultation with an instructor. Although history majors have priority in enrollment, the History Seminars are open to students outside the Department when space permits.

Topics vary from semester to semester. Students majoring in History must earn a grade of "C" or above (C- is a failing grade) in HIxx 401 or HIxx 402. Students should have completed at least two courses in the general area of the seminar in which they wish to enroll.

Registration Policy for 400-Level History Seminars (401/402)

Admission to the seminars is by instructor permission. Registration will take place through the electronic online waitlist. Students should indicate their major, their year in school, courses that have prepared them for the seminar, and their interest in the topic. Students should state if they are in the History Distinguished Majors Program or fourth-year majors in the Masters of Teaching program. Students may apply to only one seminar at a time.

History majors must register online by 5 pm on Tuesday, April 15, and will be informed by Friday, April 18, whether they have been admitted. Students in other departments will be informed once all History majors have been accommodated. After April 18, majors and non-majors may sign up for any history seminar waitlist, and at that time students may place themselves on more than one history seminar waitlist if they so choose.

Distinguished Majors Program

Attention Second-Year Students

The History Department initiated its Distinguished Majors Program in the fall of 1984. This will be the normal channel for obtaining a degree with Distinction, High Distinction, and Highest Distinction.

The Distinguished Major Program offers the opportunity for independent research culminating in the writing of a substantial thesis. Participants will enter a special colloquium (HIST 405) in the fall of their third year for an intensive introduction to the methods and varieties of historical analysis. During the fourth year, they will prepare their theses (HIST 406).

The Distinguished Majors Program is selective. Students must show a capacity for independent study and must have, roughly, a 3.4 GPA. For more information and applications, see Mr. Berlanstein (Randall 118). Applications are due during preregistration in the spring semester. Click here for additional information on the Distinguished Majors Program.