History is the study of the record of past human experience. Historians understand the term “record” in a very broad way, so that the line between history and various other disciplines is sometimes a thin one. History has its own methodologies, however, as interdisciplinary as it necessarily is in practice.

Work in the department is directed toward the achievement of two goals. On the one hand, the student gains insight into other times and cultures and the human condition generally as she learns about the past. She discovers what has endured and what is new. On the other hand, the student gains experience in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting large amounts of information as well as the opportunity to sharpen her ability to communicate her findings to others.

The History Major
The History Minor
Teacher Licensure History and Social Studies
Course Descriptions

The History Major
(33 semester hours)

Required:
HIST 143    (3)    Early Modern Europe, 1350-1650
HIST 144    (3)    Modern Europe, 1700-2004: From Absolutism to EU Enlargement

Senior Exercise:
HIST 452    (3)    Senior Seminar

Choose 1 of the following courses: (Note: This requirement should be completed in the first or second year.)
HIST 103    (3)    Introduction to History: Intoxication and Addiction in America
HIST 104    (3)    Introduction to History: Medieval Heroes: Myth or History
HIST 105    (3)    Introduction to History: Doing Sweet Briar History
HIST 107    (3)    Introduction to History: Stalin and Hitler

Choose 1 course in U.S. History from the following:
HIST 135    (3)    America, Origins to 1877
HIST 136    (3)    The United States, 1877 to the Present
HIST 221    (3)    Spirituality and Religious Institutions in U.S. History
HIST 225    (3)    The U.S. South
HIST 228    (3)    Women in America
HIST 234    (3)     Manhood and Masculinity in America

Choose 1 course in European History before 1700 from the following:
HIST 121    (3)    Early and Medieval Britain
HIST 127    (3)    English History, 1500-1689
HIST 223    (3)    The Ancient World, 8000 BC to 300 AD
HIST 224    (3)    The Medieval West, 400-1350
HIST 258    (3)    History of Crime and Punishment in the West
HIST 308    (3)    Encounters, Conquest, and European Expansion, 1350-1650
HIST 321    (3)    Studies in Medieval History
HIST 322    (3)    Renaissance and Reformation

Choose 1 course in European History after 1700 from the following:
HIST 203    (3)     Topics in Modern German History (when topic is appropriate)
HIST 333    (3)    The Great War in Europe
HIST 355    (3)    War and Society in Modern Europe
HIST 358    (3)    The Cold War as History

And choose 4 additional three-credit courses in history.

Recommended: A course in African history (HIST 269, HIST 272, or HIST 373) is strongly recommended.

Notes:
At least 3 of the courses (9 semester hours) elected for the major, in addition to HIST 452, must be numbered at the 300-level or above.

For the major in history, the P/CR/NC grading option may not be exercised for any course which could count toward the major. Additional information about the P/CR/NC grading option is available under the Academic Regulations heading in this catalog.

The History Minor
(18 semester hours)

Required:
HIST 143    (3)    Early Modern Europe, 1350-1650
HIST 144    (3)    Modern Europe, 1700-2004: From Absolutism to EU Enlargement

Choose 2 three-credit courses in history at the 300-level or above.

Choose 2 additional three-credit courses in history.

Note: For the minor in history, the P/CR/NC grading option may not be exercised for any course which could count toward the minor. Additional information about the P/CR/NC grading option is available under the Academic Regulations heading in this catalog.

Teacher Licensure History and Social Studies
(36 semester hours)

Required:
ECON 101    (3)    Principles of Microeconomics
HIST 135      (3)    American, Origins to 1877
HIST 136      (3)    The United States, 1877 to the Present
HIST 143      (3)    Early Modern Europe, 1350-1650
HIST 144      (3)    Modern Europe, 1700-2004: From Absolutism to EU Enlargement
HIST 223      (3)    The Ancient World, 8000 BC to 300 AD
HIST 269      (3)    Africa in World Affairs
RELG 178    (3)    Introduction to World Religions

Choose 1 of the following sequences:
Sequence A
GOVT 159    (3)    Introduction to American Government
GOVT 213    (3)    Politics of Legal Order

Sequence B
GOVT 122    (3)    Introduction to Comparative Politics
GOVT 201    (3)    Government and Politics of East Asia

Choose 2 additional three-credit courses in government at or above the 200-level.

Course Descriptions