{"id":374,"date":"2017-09-27T20:49:02","date_gmt":"2017-09-27T20:49:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/160-history\/majorsminors\/"},"modified":"2024-10-03T12:25:31","modified_gmt":"2024-10-03T12:25:31","slug":"majorsminors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/history\/majorsminors\/","title":{"rendered":"Majors & Minors"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\n History Major <\/a> | \n\n History Minor <\/a> \n\n<\/p>\n\n

General Distribution Requirement<\/h3>

All history courses count toward the general distribution requirement in humanities except for HIST 305<\/a>, which counts as social science general distribution. Topics courses that are taught by faculty in other departments but are cross-listed with History fulfill the general distribution requirement selected by that department.<\/p>

General Education Requirements<\/h3>

Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and U.S. identities and differences will be posted on the Registrar's web page in advance of registration for each semester.<\/p>

Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements\u00a0section of this catalog.<\/p>

Honors Program<\/h3>

The history department participates in the honors program. Students working on honors projects must take HIST 490<\/a>\u00a0in the fall of their senior year and can undertake an independent study under the supervision of their honors thesis advisor the following spring. Eligibility requirements, application procedures and specific project expectations for the department are available from either the department office or the Academic Programs and Advising Office.<\/p>

Topics Courses<\/h3>

HIST 194<\/a>, HIST 294<\/a>, HIST 394<\/a>, HIST 494<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>

Topics courses are occasional, often experimental courses, offered by instructors at their own initiative or in response to student requests. Recent topics courses include: Great Lakes American Indian Histories; Making History: Russian Cinema as Testimony, Propaganda and Art; From Telenovelas to Tacos: Popular Culture in Mexican History; The Victorian Empire: 1830s to 1910; Monks, Lords, War & Pestilence: Europe 950-1350; Ethics of Service; Indigenous Peoples and Museums; Modern German History, 1871-Present; History of Feminisms; US in the 1930s; France & Germany: Neighbors, Nations and Citizenship; French Revolution to European Integration; Medieval Travelers & Their Accounts; Transnational Latin Americas<\/p>

Independent Study<\/h3>

The department offers independent study options in the form of tutorials, independent projects, internships, and preceptorships. For more information contact the department and review the Curriculum\u00a0section of the catalog.<\/p>

Course levels<\/h3>

Courses numbered 100-199 <\/strong>are introductory in nature. They are introductions both to the study of history and to the history of a particular part of the world. As introductions to the study of history, they all aim at teaching students to think historically and to understand that human activity must be understood in the context of a specific time and place. In addition they contain a number of \"skills\" components, though, in keeping with the nature of history as a time and placelinked discipline, those \"skills\" are taught in the context of a particular history rather than as abstract theory. 100-level courses will include attention to understanding the distinction between primary and secondary sources, examining and evaluating evidence, formulating an argument, analyzing competing arguments, and understanding the nature of history as it is constructed by historians. Courses numbered 200-299<\/strong> are intermediate in nature and are driven by specific content. Some are surveys of a relatively broad period; others may examine a narrower topic. 200-level courses are appropriate to majors and non-majors alike, and may be taken by students of any class-standing though the bulk of students enrolled in these classes will probably be sophomores and juniors. Courses numbered 300-399<\/strong> are aimed at history majors and minors, though they may also enroll other students who have an interest. They are generally narrower in focus than 200-level courses and many will involve some degree of independent research. Courses 400-649<\/strong> are advanced seminars and independent projects ordinarily taken by seniors.<\/p>\n\n\n

History Major<\/h2>\n \n

Major Requirements<\/h3>

A history major is planned in consultation with a student's advisor and comprises no fewer than 9 history courses. These courses may include one internship (HIST 624<\/a>) approved by the history department, and one independent project (HIST 614<\/a>) carried out under the supervision of a member of the department. Preceptorship in a history course (HIST 634<\/a>) can only be counted if the student has not previously taken the specific course. Courses completed for college credit prior to matriculation at a collegiate level institution, such as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses, may not be used in completion of a major. The major may include up to two introductory level courses and two History courses from study away, approved by the Chair upon return from study away.<\/p>

All history majors are required to take:<\/p>