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Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Adviser Name:_______________________ Catalog: 2023 - 2024 College Catalog Degree Requirement: History, BA Minimum Credits Required:__________________

History, BA

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The discipline of history is at the core of a liberal arts education, illuminating the ideas, institutions and sentiments by which people have attempted to order their world. The History Department exposes students to the richness and diversity of human history over time and in different geographic regions. In the course of their studies, students will develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their culture and humanity in general.

To broaden their knowledge, students are expected to take a range of courses in American, European, Asian, African, Latin American, and ancient history. In addition, our classes span the centuries, from the earliest history to the modern day and are based on diverse methodologies, including political, social, intellectual and cultural history. Students also enjoy opportunities to gain hands-on experience in colonial history, archeology and museum studies at Historic St. Mary’s City, which is affiliated with the College.

The practice of history relies heavily on critical reading and many forms of analytical and narrative writing. Carrying out historical research and reporting their discoveries both in written form and orally, students develop their ability to listen and think critically and to communicate effectively. Students will also learn to think historically and to appreciate the contested nature, limits and possibilities of historical knowledge as they explore the ways in which historians have interpreted the past. The study of history at St. Mary’s College thus lays a sound foundation for the future pursuit of a wide range of careers, including law, public policy, foreign service, library science, public history, academia, journalism and international business.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge of global history and broad content in geographical and thematic areas.
  • Analyze primary sources in their historical contexts.
  • Conduct research using a variety of primary and secondary sources.
  • Engage in historiographical exchanges using various methodologies.
  • Create a defensible argument in oral and written communication.

Degree Requirements

General College Requirements

General College Requirements (see Curriculum section), including the following requirements to satisfy the major

Course Requirements

Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
  • A total of 48 credit hours of history courses, 32 of which must be at the 300 or 400 level.

    • At least 8 semester-hours of 200-level history courses, 4 of which MUST be HIST 224 - Introduction to Historical Methods and Skills.

    HIST 395 - Theories and Uses of History Credit Hours: 4

    One of the Following Courses:

    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    HIST 104 - Historical Foundations of the Modern World to 1450 Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 105 - Western Civilization Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 108 - History of the Modern World Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 109 - History of Religion Credit Hours: 4

    Area Studies:

    At least one course in each of the following areas:

    The Americas (U.S. & Latin America)
    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    HIST 200 - United States History, 1776-1980 Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 253 - Latin American Civilizations Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 310 - Historical Archaeology Field School Credit Hours: 8
    HIST 311 - American Indian History Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 313 - The Civil Rights Movement Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 317 - In Our Times, 1945 to the Present Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 333 - History of American Muslims Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 371 - The Rise of Modern America, 1865-1945 Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 375 - The American Revolution Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 376 - Afro-Latin American History Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 378 - Colonial Latin American History Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 379 - Modern Latin American History Since 1820 Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 392 - Topics in U.S. or Latin American History Credit Hours: 2-4
    HIST 401 - The Caribbean Experience Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 408 - The Civil War Era, 1820-1865 Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 415 - Topics in U.S. or Latin American History Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 418 - 1968 and the End of the Sixties Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 419 - African-American History in America Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 425 - The Great Depression and the New Deal Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 430 - Early Maryland Research Seminar Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 461 - On Machos, Virgins, and Mothers: Gender in Latin American History Credit Hours: 4
    Europe
    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    HIST 205 - History of Britain, 1066-1945 Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 268 - Russian Civilization Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 272 - Ancient Mediterranean Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 330 - 20th Century Eastern Europe: The Road to Freedom Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 334 - Europe in War and Revolution Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 342 - History of the Soviet Union and Russia Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 343 - Medieval Russia Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 345 - Imperial Russia Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 380 - History of Russian and Soviet Cinema Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 381 - History of Ancient Greece and the Hellenistic World Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 382 - History of the Roman Republic and Empire Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 384 - Medieval Europe Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 385 - Europe in the Age of Empire and Absolutism Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 386 - The Age of the French Revolution Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 393 - Topics in European History Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 402 - Hitler’s Germany, 1817-1945 Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 435 - Topics in European History Credit Hours: 4
    Asia & Africa
    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    HIST 206 - East Asian Civilizations Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 280 - Africa and the African Diaspora Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 351 - History of China to 1600 Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 352 - History of Modern China Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 354 - History of Japan to 1600 Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 355 - History of Modern Japan Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 358 - History of the Modern Middle East Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 360 - Early African Civilization Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 361 - African Civilization, 1800-1900 Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 369 - The History of Apartheid Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 388 - Ancient Egypt Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 389 - The Ancient Near East Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 394 - Topics in Asian and African History Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 455 - Topics in Asian or African History Credit Hours: 4
    Comparative, Thematic, Global
    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    HIST 219 - Atlantic World Survey Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 221 - Islamic Civilizations Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 276 - Twentieth-Century World Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 314 - Islamic Empires Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 336 - History of the Jewish People in the Modern World Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 357 - Women, Gender, and Politics in the Muslim world Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 396 - Topics in Comparative, Thematic, or Global History Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 400 - Comparative Slave Systems in the Americas Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 432 - History of Medicine Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 475 - Topics in Comparative, Thematic, or Global History Credit Hours: 4
    An Upper Level History Course With Substantial Course Content From Before the Modern Era.
    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    HIST 343 - Medieval Russia Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 351 - History of China to 1600 Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 354 - History of Japan to 1600 Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 360 - Early African Civilization Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 381 - History of Ancient Greece and the Hellenistic World Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 382 - History of the Roman Republic and Empire Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 384 - Medieval Europe Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 388 - Ancient Egypt Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 389 - The Ancient Near East Credit Hours: 4
    Cross-listed Courses Will Be Assigned to an Area Studies Group by the Department Chair in Consultation With the Instructor.

    Senior Project

    The Senior Capstone requirement may be satisfied by either option below:

    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    HIST 493 - St. Mary’s Project in History I Credit Hours: 4
    HIST 494 - St. Mary’s Project in History II AND Credit Hours: 4
  • one 400-level course

    •  

  • HIST 495 - History Capstone Seminar AND
  • two 400-level courses

    • Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements

    A grade of C- or better must be received in each course of the major and the cumulative grade-point-average of courses used to satisfy the major must be at least 2.0.

    Sequence of Study

    The student will plan a program with an adviser to make a meaningful combination of courses. In their final two years, students should seek a balance between 300-level classes and 400-level classes, the latter of which include a 15-18 page (3750-4500 words) research paper as part of the course requirements. The following model is suggested as a possible basic program in the major to satisfy the above stipulations:

    First Year:

    • One 100-level class listed above AND
    • One 200-level class

    Sophomore Year:

    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    HIST 224 - Introduction to Historical Methods and Skills AND Credit Hours: 4
  • 4 credit hours in one of the fields listed in the “area studies” distribution above.

    • Junior Year:

    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    HIST 395 - Theories and Uses of History Credit Hours: 4
  • 8 upper-level credit hours distributed among the required fields, and at least one 400- level class.

    • Senior Year:

    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    HIST 493 - St. Mary’s Project in History I Credit Hours: 4

    OR

    HIST 494 - St. Mary’s Project in History II AND Credit Hours: 4
  • two additional upper-level electives or History Capstone Seminar (495)

    •  

  • one 400-level class AND
  • two additional upper-level electives.

    • Requirements for Teacher Certification

    A Master of Arts in Teaching Program is available at St. Mary’s College of Maryland after completion of the baccalaureate degree. Students who are interested in becoming teachers should contact the chair of the Department of Educational Studies or an education adviser in their major field of study for suggested coursework in educational studies, and their specific major. These consultations should take place during the first semester of the sophomore year.

    Notes:





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