Requirements for the Major in History (36 credits):
Students majoring in history complete a program of study with an emphasis on "doing history." There are five basic requirements all majors must meet, although the major is flexible so that it can meet the needs of the individual student.
- One Perspectives in U.S. History course (3 credits)
- One Perspectives in Global History course (3 credits)
- 222 Introduction to Historical Methods (4 credits)
- 422 Advanced Methods (4 credits)
- Senior Seminar and Thesis (4 credits)
- Six additional courses from at least two of the following four areas: Europe, Latin America, U.S., and Global, with two courses at the 300 or 400 level (18 credits)
Ancillary Requirement: Language proficiency at the Intermediate level through course work or examination (maximum 9 credits).
HIST 222: Introductory Methods (4credits)
- Normally taken in the first semester upon entry to the major.
- Orients the student to the fundamental skills of historical research, while working with primary and secondary source materials in the archives, on-line, and in print.
- The skills acquired in this course provide the student with the methodological foundation needed to conduct research in any course that involves historical analysis.
HIST 422: Advanced Methods (4 credits)
- Normally taken in the semester preceding Senior Seminar and Thesis.
- Prepares advanced majors for the significant and focused research necessary for their thesis.
Perspectives in U.S. History One Course (3 credits)
Perspectives in Global History One Course (3 credits)
- In addition to the methodological core of the major, students build their understanding from a required introductory survey in American and in Global histories.
- These surveys approach the broad scope of their subject from the perspective of a particular critical lens to provide an analytical focus.
Area Studies in Depth (18 credits)
- From this base of methodological and survey courses, students deepen their knowledge in two of four areas of history: American, Latin American, European, or Global history.
- The specific requirement is: 6 additional courses in consultation with the student's advisor in the major at least two of the following four areas (Europe, Latin America, U.S., and Global) (18 credits total)
- Two of the six courses to be at the 300 or 400 level, not including HIST422 and 490.
HIST 490: Senior Seminar and Thesis (4 credits)
The major culminates with a Senior Seminar and Thesis which is an in-depth research project built on primary sources and reflective of the historical literature on the subject. Students share research progress in a regularly scheduled seminar setting, work closely with an individual faculty mentor, and present their completed work in a public defense. For History majors the challenge of the Senior Thesis is one of the most memorable and satisfying aspects of their Hartwick education.
Three-Year Degree Option:
For students majoring in history, Hartwick’s Three-Year Bachelor’s Degree Program is a unique opportunity to earn a degree in three years. For more information visit the Program Web site at www.hartwick.edu/threeyearbachelors.xml.
History Courses
History Minor Requirements
