History, B.A.

Historians study various aspects of humanity’s recorded past. Some historians explore the rise and fall of empires, while others describe the everyday lives of men and women. They are interested in every period of the past and all parts of the world. Historians also examine the principles and theories that influence the writing of history. They seek to understand the forces that have structured human life and the ideas that have shaped the way people perceive and experience their worlds. Historians are concerned with change and continuity within societies and interactions among cultures. Historians pay particular attention to the effect of perspectives and values because their discipline involves the interpretation of findings, not just the collection of facts. History can teach us many lessons, not simply about our past but also about the paradoxes and potentials of our present.

The Department of History offers a wide range of courses in African, Asian, European, Latin American, Middle Eastern, and United States history. Arranged in three levels - introductory, intermediate, and advanced - these courses afford students an opportunity not only to become familiar with a body of historical knowledge but also to enhance their skills as readers, discussants, writers, and researchers. Because it emphasizes analytic and critical thinking, history prepares students for further professional training in education, international studies, journalism, law, politics, and public policy, and for all manner of careers. All students can benefit from the insights history provides into the human condition.

University Grade-Point Average and Grade Requirements

Georgia State University undergraduate students must achieve an overall institutional grade-point average of 2.0 and a major GPA of 2.0 to receive a bachelor’s degree from the university. Grades of C- can be used to satisfy graduation requirements. However, some courses have prerequisites that require a grade of C or higher. (See 1460 GPA Requirement for additional information.)

Degree Requirements (120 Hours)

Students should complete the freshman courses in history in the core curriculum and HIST 3000 (Introduction to Historical Studies-CTW) before enrolling in other history courses numbered 3000 and above. In all lower-division history courses the department requires that majors attain a minimum grade of C.

The department requires a total of 30 hours in upper-division history. At least one course must be taken from each of the areas of American, European, and African/Asian/Latin American/Middle Eastern History. All majors must take HIST 4990 (Historical Research-CTW) after completing HIST 3000 and at least four other upper-division courses. However, students enrolling in the dual degree BA/MA program may elect to substitute a graduate level research course for HIST 4990 . No more than 15 hours of upper-division history may be transfer credits.

In addition to the Program Degree Requirements, students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (see College Degree Requirements ) and the University Degree Requirements (see 1400 University Degree Requirements and Graduation ).

University Grade-Point Average and Grade Requirements

Georgia State University undergraduate students must achieve an overall institutional grade-point average of 2.0 and a major GPA of 2.0 in the Major Area to receive a bachelor’s degree from the university. Grades of C- can be used to satisfy graduation requirements. However, some courses have prerequisites that require a grade of C or higher. (See 1460 GPA Requirement for additional information.)

Field of Study Area (18 Hours)

The Department of History recommends that all majors complete the world language 1002, 2001, and 2002 sequence. (See “World Language Requirement for B.A. and B.I.S. Majors,” previously described.)

Required Courses (9 Hours)

HIST 1111 - Survey of World History to 1500 3 Credit Hours
HIST 1112 - Survey of World History since 1500 3 Credit Hours
World language at the 1002 level or higher 3 Hours

Field Electives

Select additional elective courses from the following to complete 18 hours in the Field of Study Area:

AAS 1141 - Introduction to African and African American History to 1865 3 Credit Hours
or
HIST 1141 - Introduction to African and African American History to 1865 3 Credit Hours
AAS 1142 - Introduction to African American History Since 1865 3 Credit Hours
or
HIST 1142 - Introduction to African American History Since 1865 3 Credit Hours
AAS 2010 - Introduction to Africana Studies 3 Credit Hours
ANTH 1102 - Introduction to Anthropology 3 Credit Hours
ANTH 2010 - Introduction to Biological Anthropology 3 Credit Hours
ANTH 2020 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3 Credit Hours
ANTH 2030 - Archaeology and Prehistory 3 Credit Hours
ECON 2105 - Principles of Macroeconomics 3 Credit Hours
ECON 2106 - Principles of Microeconomics 3 Credit Hours
ENGL 2110 - World Literature 3 Credit Hours
ENGL 2120 - British Literature 3 Credit Hours
ENGL 2130 - American Literature 3 Credit Hours
GEOG 1101 - Introduction to Human Geography 3 Credit Hours
HIST 1200 - Introduction to the Middle East 3 Credit Hours
HIST 2030 - Introduction to Asian Studies 3 Credit Hours
HIST 2200 - Women In American History 3 Credit Hours
JOUR 1000 - Introduction to Mass Communication 3 Credit Hours
MATH 1401 - Elementary Statistics 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 2010 - Introduction to Philosophy 3 Credit Hours
POLS 2101 - Introduction to Political Science 3 Credit Hours
POLS 2401 - Global Issues 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 1101 - Introduction to General Psychology 3 Credit Hours
SOCI 1101 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Credit Hours
SOCI 1160 - Introduction to Social Problems 3 Credit Hours
WGSS 2010 - Introduction to Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies 3 Credit Hours
World language 1001 (if different from world language taken in high school)
World language at the 2001 or 2002 level

Major Area (30 Hours)

Unless otherwise specified, HIST 1111 , HIST 1112 , and HIST 2110 are prerequisites for all advanced course work in history. History majors may complete no more than eight hours of 3000/4000-level history courses before completing HIST 3000 .

A minimum total of 30 hours must be taken from courses at the 3000-4000 level, and must include one course from each of the following:

CTW Requirement (4 Hours)

HIST 3000 - Introduction to Historical Studies-CTW 4 Credit Hours (should be taken first among upper-division courses)

U. S. History

(one course)

European History

(one course)

African, Asian, Latin American, or Middle Eastern History

(one course)

Capstone Course in Historical Research (4 Hours)

HIST 4990 - Historical Research-CTW 4 Credit Hours (Prerequisite: HIST 3000 and at least four other upper-division HIST courses, including at least two 4000-level classes.)

Additional Courses Area

Additional courses must be taken to complete a minimum of 120 hours.

The department strongly recommends that majors take the fourth semester of a world language (2002).

Concentration Areas

Graduation with Distinction in the Major

This unit offers undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn the designation of graduation with distinction in the major. Please contact the undergraduate director for the specific criteria for this honor.