Bachelor’s Degree in History & American Studies

Overview

History and American Studies majors are well-rounded, well-informed students ready to pursue a variety of graduate programs and careers in education, law, research, politics, non-profit service organizations, and communications.

This unique, multi-disciplinary program focuses on American history and culture. In addition to completing a number of history courses, students broaden and enhance their study of American culture and history through the pursuit of interdisciplinary course work.

A Georgetown University study, which analyzed 137 college majors from universities across the country, ranked “history” the 18th most popular major in the United States.

Also, data from the National Center for Education Statistics places history at no. 21 on its list of the most popular 200 majors at U.S. colleges and universities.

HISTORY & AMERICAN STUDIES (BA) – SAMPLE 4-YeaR PLAN

Courses

The courses listed below are for the Academic Catalog and are subject to change. Please reference the Academic Catalog for further information and course descriptions. If you are a current student, please reference the catalog in which you come under.

Bachelor of Arts in History and American Studies

Liberal Education Core Requirements	49 credit hours
History Core Courses	18 credit hours
History Elective Courses	9-10 credit hours
American Studies Core Courses	9 credit hours
General Electives	34-35 credit hours
Total credit hours for B.A. in History and American Studies	120 credit hours

History Core Courses	18 credit hours
HIS 103: World Civilizations I
HIS 104: World Civilizations II
HIS 200: Pre-Columbian and Colonial American History: Multicultural from the Start
HIS 201: The United States to 1865: “Becoming American”
HIS 202: U.S. Since 1865: Myth, Memory, and History
HIS 470: Senior Thesis: Researching and Writing History

History Elective Courses	9-10 credit hours
Complete three (3) courses, with at least one from each category
Advanced Studies:
HIS 348: History of the U.S. South Since 1865
HIS 349: Slav ery, Abolitionism, and the Civil War
HIS 355: U.S. Women’s History Since Seneca Falls
Applied Studies:
HIS 270: Backyard Explorers: Local Museums, Historical Sites, and Archives
HIS 370: Our stories, Our History: Conducting Oral History
HIS 390: Drum Majors for Justice: Examining and Practicing Engaged Citizenship
ANT 450: Archaeological Field School

American Studies Core Courses	9 credit hours
Complete three (3) courses, two (2) of which must be at the 300 level or above
ANT 368: American Ethnic Relations
ENG 216: Writing About American Literature After 1700
ENG 252: Writing About African-American Literature
ENG 419: American Drama
ENG 454: Southern American Literature
ENG 456: The American Novel
ESS 210: History of American Sport
PSC 201: American Government
PSC 202: State and Local Government
PSC 370: American Constitutional Law
PSY 344: Psychology of the Black Experience
REL 202: Religion in America
REL 302: Religion in the American South
SPA 205: Hispanic Voices in the U.S.
THE 225: Arts in Society
THE 385: History of Musical Theatre

Minor

Minor in History and American Studies	18-19 credit hours
Required courses: Choose four (4) from the following:	12 credit hours
HIS 103: World Civilizations I
HIS 104: Wolrd Civilizations II
HIS 200: Pre-Columbian and Colonial American History: Multicultural from the Start
HIS 201: The United States to 1865: “Becoming American”
HIS 202: US Since 1865: Myth, Memory, and History
History Electives (Choose one):	3-4 credit hours
HIS 270: Backyard Explorers: Local Museums, Historical Sites, and Archives
HIS 348: History of the US South since 1865
HIS 349: Slavery, Abolitionism, and the Civil War
HIS 355: US Women’s History since Seneca Falls
HIS 370: Our Stories, Our History: Conducting Oral History
HIS 390: Drum Majors for Justice: Examining and Practicing Engaged Citizenship
ANT 450: Archaeological Field School
American Studies Electives (Choose one):	3 credit hours
ANT 368: American Ethnic Relations
ENG 216: Writing About American Literature After 1700
ENG 252: Writing About African-American Literature
ENG 419: American Drama
ENG 454: Southern American Literature
ENG 456: The American Novel
ESS 210: History of American Sport
PSC 201: American Government
PSC 202: State and Local Government
PSC 370: American Constitutional Law
PSY 344: Psychology of the Black Experience
REL 202: Religion in America
REL 302: Religion in the American South
SPA 205: Hispanic Voices in the U.S.
THE 225: Arts in Society
THE 385: History of Musical Theatre

Faculty

Elizabeth Kusko, D.A.

Associate Professor of Political Science; Program Director of Criminal Justice, Political Science, and Pre-Law

Katherine Otis, Ph.D.

Program Director of History; Assistant Professor of History

Vincent Melomo, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Anthropology; Department Chair of Culture, History, and Politics
Careers
The American Historical Society provides a long and detailed descriptions of career opportunities open to history majors.

Discover History & American Studies Careers

Other career opportunities include:
- Professor
- Teacher
- Lawyer
- Paralegal
- Museum Director
- Park Ranger
- Foundation Director
- Manuscripts and Archives Librarian
- Digital Archivist
- Photograph Archivist
- Book Editor
- Journalist
- Grant Writer
- Speech Writer
- Campaign Staffer
- Congressional Aid
- Public Policy Analyst