Undergraduate Major
Students normally begin their studies with one of the general courses in historical studies and then go on to more advanced courses. To declare and design a major, the student should first see the undergraduate advising head; together they will select as advisor a faculty member who seems best suited to that student's interest and area of future work. The advisor and student will then select a course of study that gives greatest coherence to the student's other course work and career plans.
All majors are expected to complete satisfactorily at least eight semester courses in history from among the HIST and cross-listed offerings. No course grade below a C will be given credit towards the major requirement of eight courses. Acceptable AP scores in American or European history exempt majors from equivalent course(s) but do not reduce the total number of courses required to complete the major. A minimum of six courses counted toward the major must be taught by members of the history faculty, except that transfer students and those taking a year's study abroad may offer up to four semester courses taught elsewhere depending on individual circumstances, and need take only four courses taught by members of the history faculty. To apply such transfer courses to the history major, a student must obtain the approval of the department advising head.
In addition, HIST 98a and 98b (Readings in History) may be taken by students on a subject of particular interest to them that is not covered in the regular curriculum or as a supplement to work on the Senior Honors Thesis. (The consent of the instructor is required.) HIST 99a/b (Senior Research), which must be taken in addition to the regular eight-course requirement, enables students to undertake an honors thesis and is required for degrees granted with distinction.
The major can be combined with other programs of study, such as Latin American studies or Russian and East European Studies. Students should consult their advisors to design a major that best complements the requirements of other programs.