Details

History, Bachelor of Arts

 120 credits

People study history for many reasons: for the shock of finding familiar behavior across wide reaches of time and culture, for the puzzle of trying to understand practices alien to their own, and for the challenge of mastering information about human life in the past and for the insight necessary to handle contemporary concerns. Studying history provides an imaginative, intellectual, and empathic experience similar to travel. The “destinations” may at first appear to stand still—colonial New Hampshire, colonial India, revolutionary France, Imperial China, the American Civil War or the Great Depression—but the more deeply students investigate them, the more complex and fascinating they become. The study of history can extend across any area or artifact of past human endeavor, from policies to parades, from ballads to battles, from the whaling industry to whalebone corsets. In doing so, history provides the foundation for an excellent liberal arts education. A liberal arts education is a proven “training ground” for careers in diverse fields such as (but not limited to)--law, journalism, state/federal government employment, business, and industry.

The History major gives students the valuable skills and methods of inquiry, analysis, and synthesis that help them think like a historian. The study of the past will sharpen students’ critical-thinking abilities, provide for a well-rounded liberal arts education, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning. Through thematic and geographically framed courses, students examine the factual and interpretive contours of the field, while connecting the discipline to other areas of academic study and everyday life. Our program is particularly strong in United States, global, and women’s histories. Upper-level courses are rotated in order to maximize the student’s chance to learn about a wide variety of subjects. The History major fosters proficiencies and skills needed for graduate study in many fields.

Degree Requirements

Credits
HI 2010 World History Since 1500 (GACO) 3
HI 2020 Surveying Themes in United States History 3
HI 2222 Methods, Theories, and Careers in History (QRCO) 3
HI United States Group History courses 6
HI World Group History courses 6
HI 3000/4000 level History courses (any area), including Writing in the Discipline Connection (WRCO) [not HIDI] 6
HI History electives (any level) [not HIDI] 6
HI 4450 History Capstone Seminar 4
Technology in the Discipline Connection - complete one of the following: 3
CS 1100 Introduction to Computers (TECO)
GE 2090 Computer Mapping (TECO)
HI 4358 Public History (TECO)
PO 3120 Political Parties, Elections, and Interest Groups (TECO)
PY 2650 Mind and Machine (TECO)
General Education:
EN 1200 Composition 3
IS 1111 The First Year Seminar: Critical Thinking and the Nature of Inquiry 3
MA Mathematics Foundations 3
CTDI Creative Thought Directions 6
PPDI Past and Present Directions 6
SIDI Scientific Inquiry Directions 6-8
SSDI Self and Society Directions 6
DICO Diversity Connection (may be HI course) 3
INCO Integration Connection (may be HI course) 3
WECO Wellness Connection (may be HI course) 3
Foreign Language (GACO) 8
Electives 30-28

The foreign language requirement for all BA degrees calls for 0-8 credits: one year of one language (6-8 credits); or one 3000/4000 level world language course (3 credits); or being a native speaker of a language other than English (zero credit). American Sign Language I and II fulfill this requirement; however, American Sign Language does not satisfy the Global Awareness Connection.

History Group Courses
United States Group
HI 3115 Early American Society to 1776 (DICO) (WRCO)  
HI 3116 Revolutionary America, 1763-1815  
HI 3140 Antebellum America, 1815-1860 (DICO) (INCO)  
HI 3150 American Civil War and Reconstruction (WRCO)  
HI 3330 New Hampshire and New England Historical Sites (WRCO)  
HI 3340 New Hampshire and New England History (WRCO)  
HI 3350 American Women's History (DICO)  
HI 3352 African-American History (DICO)  
HI 3354 Health and Illness in American History (WECO)  
HI 3356 American Ideas (INCO)  
HI 3520 The Great Depression in Film, Print, and on Stage (DICO) (INCO) (WRCO)  
HI 3530 US Home Fronts: The 1940s and 1950s (DICO) (WRCO)  
HI 3810 Topics in US History  
HI 4358 Public History (TECO)  

World Group
HI 3460 The British Empire in World History (GACO)  
HI 3480 The French Revolution and Napoleonic Era, 1789-1815 (GACO)  
HI 3730 Modern History of East Asia (GACO)  
HI 3740 History of Japan (GACO)  
HI 3745 History of Traditional China (GACO)  
HI 3750 History of Modern China (GACO)  
HI 3760 History of Southeast Asia (GACO)  
HI 3765 India and the World (GACO) (INCO)  
HI 3770 The History of Islamic Empires (GACO)  
HI 3820 Topics in World History (GACO)  
HI 3826 Sex and Empire in Colonial India (GACO) (WRCO)  
HI 3828 Women and Global Colonialism (GACO)  
HI 4015 The Medieval Cult of the Saints (INCO) (WRCO)  

Completion of a History Writing in the Discipline Connection (WRCO) course is the prerequisite to the History Capstone Seminar.

History Practicums
HI 4500 History Thesis  
HI 4510 History Thesis  
HI 4910 Independent Study  

The History Thesis: For majors who wish to engage in more extensive research projects, there is an optional History Thesis that involves the writing of a thesis in history. It is open, by invitation or application, to those interested in and capable of doing the work involved. Students are either invited by the History Faculty to participate or may request admission. All applications are evaluated by the History Faculty. Selection is based on a combination of the individual's academic standing as a History major and recommendations from the History Faculty. Under normal circumstances those students applying must have a grade point average of 3.00 or higher in the major. The History Thesis is for History majors only unless the History Faculty decides to make exceptions for non-History majors. All decisions are made by the History Faculty and the program is under control of that Faculty.

The History Thesis can last one academic year and those successfully completing it receive six credits. At the end of the first semester a formal evaluation is made of each student. Those not doing satisfactory work are dropped, thereby receiving only three credits. Students are expected to complete a thesis of scholarly merit and one that meets the standards of good organization and writing style.

The History Thesis is primarily intended for those who plan to do advanced study or graduate work after graduating from Plymouth State University. Students seeking information about the Thesis should see the Coordinator of the program.

Independent Studies: Students may propose to undertake an independent study project with a particular instructor, who has to approve and supervise it. The final format for the course will be determined by the instructor, but typically requires extensive reading and writing.

*All course information is from the 2012-2013 Catalog.



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