The History major at Monmouth College follows a
trajectory from entry-level primary-source courses
(how history is constructed), to courses focused on
secondary sources (how historians interpret those
courses), to research courses (applying the skills
learned in previous courses), and finally surveys
emphasizing synthesis. Our desire is to prepare you
for engagement with the world after graduation by
introducing and refining the skills and knowledge
historians can use in virtually any professional or
vocational pursuit.
A History majors requires a
minimum of eight-and-a-half course credits, with two
mutually reinforcing distribution requirements.
First, majors must take 2 course credits at the 100
level, 2 at the 200 level, 1 at the 300 level and 1 at
the 400 level, plus courses totaling at least 2 full
credits at any level. Second, majors are required to
take at least 1 course credit each in U.S., Europe,
and World or Comparative areas, plus 5 full credits in
any area or areas. In addition, all majors are
required to take one half-credit HIST 200:
Historiography course.
Detailed Requirements
A major in History provides both breadth and
depth in our understanding of the past and present. Majors
are encouraged to participate in an off-campus program,
ideally in the junior year.
Two 3-semester-hour courses in each of the
following three areas:
- HIST 300 Historiography Seminar (the
“capstone” course required
of all majors, to be taken in the junior, occasionally
senior, year)
- HIST 260 The Historian’s Craft (strongly
recommended in the
freshman or sophomore year for all majors)
- United States history
- Western history
- World history
Elective courses to reach the required
total of 30 semester hours.
Majors who wish to graduate with
departmental honors will either write a research paper in
HIST 420 or have a GPA in history of 3.50.
Requirements for the History Minor
(15 semester hours):
One 3-semester-hour course in each of
the following three areas:
- United States history
- Western history
- World history
Elective courses to reach the required
total of 15 semester hours.
