Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

History, B.A.


Return to: Department of History  

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


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 Areas G and H 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.)

Area F: Courses Appropriate to the Major Field (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)


Elective Courses


Select additional elective courses from the following to complete 18 hours in Area F

Area G: Major Courses (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:

Required Courses to fulfill CTW requirement (4 Hours)


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)


Area H: Additional Courses


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 Requirements


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.