New History Major Requirements

Please note: The new requirements listed here do not apply to majors in the class of 2009, who will complete the major under the old requirements.  (These requirements are listed here.)

1) Starting next year, we’ll be offering 4-5 100 level courses in specific topics that focus on primary resources and research skills. You have to take at least one. (You’ll want to take more, but only 2 count towards the major.)

2) You will take History 395, a one-semester class on how historians think and the debates in the field. This will be offered every Spring, and is designed for sophomore and junior majors.

3) You will do a one semester required senior thesis during Fall of your senior year. It will be due at the end of Fall term, and will be 25-30 pages in length.

4. You still need 11 history courses, with at least two at the 300 level. One of those should be here with us. (But we still encourage you to seek out classes everywhere in the Tri-Co and at UPenn.)

Currently declared junior majors (i.e., rising seniors in the class of 2009) will complete the major by fullfilling the requirements under which they signed up.

Majors graduating in (and following) the class of 2010 will do so under these new requirements.