Overview
A major in history consists of at least 30 credit hours in history with a grade of C- or better in each course, and with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in history courses. These credit hours may include history courses taken for general distribution requirements, and must include at least 18 credit hours at the 300 level or above, of which at least 6 credit hours must be taken in the form of 500-level seminars. (HIS 599 does not count). All courses for majors will be selected by students in consultation with advisors designated by the department.
Credit hours from other institutions may be counted toward the major or minor, and to general distribution requirements as appropriate, but departmental approval is required in each case. Students who complete the Advanced Placement course in United States, European, or World history and pass the examination with a grade of 4 or 5 may receive credit in the appropriate history courses. Students who complete the International Baccalaureate program and pass the higher level history examination with a grade of 6 or higher will receive 3 credit hours in the appropriate entry-level history course. (However, in some cases students will only receive elective credit hours). At least 18 credit hours of the major and at least 9 credit hours of the minor must be completed at the University of Miami.
The department offers a variety of study abroad options with credit toward the major or minor.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| HIS 3XX Level or Higher | 12 | |
| HIS 500 Level Seminars 1 | 6 | |
| HIS Courses at any Level | 12 | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Written Communication Skills: | ||
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | 3 |
| or ENG 106 | Writing About Literature and Culture | |
| Quantitative Skills: | ||
| MTH 113 | Finite Mathematics | 3 |
| Areas of Knowledge: | ||
| Arts & Humanities Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major) | ||
| People and Society Cognate | 9 | |
| STEM Cognate | 9 | |
| Other Required Courses | ||
| Foreign Language Requirement | 9 | |
| Minor Requirement (Non-History) | 15 | |
| Natural Science Course | 3 | |
| Electives | 36 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
- 1
HIS 599 does not count toward the 6 hours of required 500 level seminars.
- *
A grade of C- or better and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 are required for all history courses.
- **
All courses for majors will be selected by students in consultation with advisors designated by the department.
Suggested Plan of Study
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| HIS 100 or 200 level Course | 3 | |
| MTH 113 | Finite Mathematics | 3 |
| UMX 100 | The University of Miami Experience | 0 |
| Language Course | 3 | |
| Natural Science Course | 3 | |
| WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| WRS 106 or ENG 106 | First-Year Writing II or Writing About Literature and Culture | 3 |
| HIS 100 or 200 Level Course | 3 | |
| Language Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| HIS 100 or 200 Level Course | 3 | |
| HIS 300 Level Course | 3 | |
| Language Course | 3 | |
| People and Society Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HIS 300 Level Course | 3 | |
| HIS 300 Level Course | 3 | |
| People and Society Cognate Course | 3 | |
| STEM Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| HIS 300 Level Course | 3 | |
| Minor Course (Non-History) | 3 | |
| People and Society Cognate Course | 3 | |
| STEM Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HIS 500 Level Course | 3 | |
| Minor Course (Non-History) | 3 | |
| People and Society Cognate Course | 3 | |
| STEM Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| HIS 500 Level Course | 3 | |
| Minor Course (Non-History) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | e | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| HIS 300 Level Course | 3 | |
| Minor Course (Non-History) | 3 | |
| Minor Course (Non-History) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 123 | |
Mission
The three principle objectives of coursework in history are to provide students with the (a) context in which issues and events, people and places, laws and society, progress and prosperity, problems and solutions are given root and foundation; give them the (b) critical reasoning skills for effective comprehension; and (c) supplement their cognitive knowledge base which is essential for career placement in the information-driven twenty-first century world of ideas, be that in education, business, technology, public or private sector employment or community service. Thus history with its study of how people function in complex social and cultural environments that change over time is an ideal discipline for honing the skills necessary to think clearly and critically whether that be applied as a practicing historian or a lawyer, physician, politician, governmental employee, private entrepreneur or simply a thoughtful, cultured, engaged member of society.
Goals
The program objectives are:
- to prepare students for employment in careers related to education or in careers which value critical reasoning; and
- to prepare them for admission to graduate or professional schools.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate they think critically and analytically and construct persuasive arguments differentiating fact from conjecture.
- Students will demonstrate a breadth of understanding of historical information and narratives.
- Students must demonstrate an understanding of historical scholarship.
