Degree Requirements in History

History is the art and science of understanding humanity in time; it seeks to recreate the context of changing human activities, be they cultural, economic, political, or social. Because of its special concern for time, history is a valuable field of study for those who want an understanding of where humanity has been and where it is going, and of the world and their own place in it. Furthermore, this field provides a solid background for those who seek a career in teaching, government work, law, or business. In its role as a part of the humanities, history also enriches an individual's personal life and environment.

The University of Michigan - Dearborn offers students a History Major or Concentration and a History Minor or Area of Focus.

PREREQUISITES

Students desiring to concentrate in history are required to present three of the following courses as prerequisites. The faculty strongly advises that students take these course during their freshman or sophomore year: HIST 101, Ancient World; HIST 102 Medieval World; HIST 103, Modern World; HIST 104, Chinese Civilization; HIST 105, Japanese Society and Culture; HIST 106, African Past; HIST 111, American Past I; HIST 112, American Past II.

CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS

For a concentration in history, students are required to complete 27 hours in history courses numbered 300 or above. Concentration courses should be distributed to include: (1) at least six hours history of the United States and/or its colonial period; (2) at least nine hours i9n non-U.S. history (students are strongly advised to take at least three credits of Chinese, Japanese, or African history); (3) HIST 300, The Study of History, which must be taken before the end of the junior year; (4) HIST 497, Topics in History, a research seminar, which is normally taken in the senior year. Students may also elect HIST 498, Senior Honors Thesis.

PORTFOLIO

History concentrators must compile a writing portfolio that is approved by the history faculty. The portfolio consists of a paper each from HIST 300 and HIST 497, plus two additional papers from any upper-division history course taken at UM-D.

COGNATES

Six hours from advanced courses (courses numbered 300 or above) in economics, literature, philosophy, political science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, art history, and music history. A course will count only if the adviser accepts it as directly related in subject matter to the student's concentration program.

MINOR OR AREA OF FOCUS

A minor or area of focus consists of 12 hours of upper-division credit in history (at least six hours of U.S. history and six hours of non-U.S. history).

PREPARATION FOR GRADUATE STUDY

History concentrators who intend to pursue graduate study in history are strongly advised to take the following courses: CIS 150 (Introduction to Computing); French, German, Russian, or another foreign language related to one's concentration program (with approval of adviser); and MATH 363 (Introduction to Statistics for Social/Behavioral Scientists).

ADVISING

History concentrators should consult with an adviser before the beginning of each semester.