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Registration Policy for Major Seminars and Colloquia

Admission to Major (4501/4502) Seminars and Major (4511/4512) Colloquia is by instructor permission. Registration will take place through the online permission list. 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 also indicate if they are in the History Distinguished Majors Program (DMP) or are fourth-year majors in the Masters of Teaching (BA/MT) program. Students may apply to only one Major Seminar or Major Colloquium at a time.

Students should register online by Thursday, November 12, 2009, at 5:00 p.m., and will be informed by Tueday, November 17, 2009, whether they have been admitted. Students in other departments will be informed once all History majors have been accommodated. After November 17, 2009, students may place their name on more than one Major Seminar or Major Colloquium waitlist if they choose to do so.

Distinguished Majors Program  

Attention Second-Year Students

The History Department initiated its Distinguished Majors Program (DMP) in 1984. The DMP is the normal channel for obtaining a degree with Distinction, High Distinction, and Highest Distinction.

The DMP offers the opportunity for independent research culminating in the writing of a substantial thesis. Participants will enroll in the DMP Special Colloquium (HIST 4890, 3 credits) in the fall of their third year for an intensive introduction to the methods and varieties of historical analysis. During the fourth year, participants will enroll in the yearlong DMP Special Seminar (HIST 4990 or – for those studying abroad during the fall of their fourth year – HIST 4991).  In this six-credit course, participants research and write an original 60- to 90-page thesis on an historical topic of their choice.

Admission into the DMP is competitive, and applications are due on during the Fall advising period in the Spring. Applicants should demonstrate a capacity for independent study and have a GPA of roughly 3.4 or above; they should also have top grades in their previous university-level history courses. For more information and a downloadable application, see the DMP Information Page.