History - BA

The study of the human past expands our understanding of what it is to be human. History courses may offer overviews that sweep across centuries and continents, or focus on the history of a nation, a demographic group, a social, environmental, political, economic or cultural topic, or even the life and times of a single individual, but all are united in seeking to inculcate an evidence-based critically-informed understanding of our past. Historical knowledge is key to understanding continuity and change in societies, in systems of knowledge and belief, in technologies, and in cultures. History students learn to find and interpret primary sources, and to rigorously analyze the historical writings of others. Working with department faculty students learn to plan, research and write historical papers of their own, to craft convincing arguments and to convey them in effective and compelling language. This knowledge and these skills are valued within and without the field of academic history, and history graduates have gone on to successful careers in business, government, public interest fields, journalism, and other professions, or have continued their studies in graduate or law schools.

Hunter Core Requirement

Several courses within this major may fulfill parts of the Hunter Core Requirement (CUNY Common Core [CCCR], Concurrent Requirements). When selecting courses, it may be to a student’s advantage to choose courses that count toward the Hunter Core Requirement and also advance the student on the path to the major. Details on the Hunter Core Requirement can be found here: General Education - Effective Fall 2019 .

In the case of the History major, the courses that meet CCCR are:

Course	CUNY Common Core Requirement
HIST 11100	World Culture and Global Issues (WCGI)
HIST 11200	World Culture and Global Issues (WCGI)
HIST 11300	World Culture and Global Issues (WCGI)
HIST 12100	World Culture and Global Issues (WCGI)
HIST 12200	World Culture and Global Issues (WCGI)
HIST 15100	US Experience in its Diversity (USED)
HIST 15200	US Experience in its Diversity (USED)
HIST 20800	World Culture and Global Issues (WCGI)
HIST 27700	World Culture and Global Issues (WCGI)
HIST 27800	World Culture and Global Issues (WCGI)

Please note that no more than two courses from any one department will count for the CUNY Common Core Requirement.

Courses Required for the Major (30 credits)

No less than half of the courses taken for the major (15 credits) must be taken at Hunter College. Courses taken for P/NC may not be applied to the major; AP history courses with scores of 4 or 5 and IB history courses with scores of 5 and over are accepted.

1. A maximum of 9 credits in 100-level courses may be taken.

2. A minimum of 18 credits in advanced-level courses distributed as follows:

6 credits in 200-level courses (not including HIST 29000 )
9 credits in 300-level courses or higher (not including HIST 30000 /HIST 40000 )

3. History Practicum

HIST 29000 - History Practicum (W)
A minimum grade of C is required to receive credit for HIST 29000

4. Historical Research or Historical Research Honors

HIST 30000 - Historical Research (W) -or- HIST 40000 Historical Research [H] (A minimum grade of C is required to receive credit for HIST 30000 and a minimum grade of a B is required to received credit for HIST 40000) NOTE: Hist. 29000 is a pre-requisite for both HIST 30000 – Historical Research (W) and HIST 40000 Historical Research [H]

5. Geographic Distribution:

Within the requirements for the major (exclusive of HIST 30000 ) students must complete a minimum of 6 credits in each of the following geographic fields:

United States history
European history (includes Russia and the U.S.S.R.)
World/Non-Western history (includes Asia, Africa, Middle East, Latin America).

6. Chronological Distribution:

Within the requirements for the major (exclusive of HIST 30000 ) students must also complete a minimum of 3 credits in a course that is largely focused on years prior to 1815:

If the course is at the 100-level, it must cover material that is entirely pre-1815.
If the course is at the 200-level or higher, the majority of the material in it must be pre-1815.

Teacher Education Pathway

Students planning to teach this subject in grades 7-12 should look at the School of Education: Program List for information about their programs that lead to the recommendation for New York State Initial Certification required to be a lead teacher in NYS public schools.

Honors in History

Students will be eligible for honors in history upon the completion of all of the requirements for the major (including HIST 30000) with a 3.5 GPA and a 3.0 cumulative GPA at the time of graduation. In order to receive honors students may complete a portion of their major requirements in one of the following ways. ( Choose one of the following options 1, 2 or 3) :

completing HIST 40000 with a grade of B or better in lieu of HIST 30000 , which is required for the major
completing 3 credits with a grade of B or better in an honors seminar, problems course, or tutorial (with departmental permission) in lieu of one of their 300-level or higher courses required for the major. Such seminars, honors courses, or tutorial options include:
- HIST 48300 Problems in U.S. History (Honors)
- HIST 48400 Problems in European History (Honors)
- HIST 48500 Problems in Non-Western History (Honors)
- HIST 49300 Individual Tutorial Research Project
  Note: the student must still complete HIST 30000 or HIST 40000
completing a graduate-level course (with special permission from the instructor) with a grade of B or better in lieu of one of their 300- level or higher courses required for the major. Note: the student must still complete HIST 30000 or HIST 40000 . Eligible students should apply for honors at the time they file for graduation. Applications are available from the department.

Graduate Study

Qualified students in their junior and senior years may be admitted to graduate courses with the approval of the department chair.

Degree Map

Degree Map for History