About the Program
Professors: Lillie Edwards, Richard Greenwald, Jonathan Rose
Associate Professor: Frances Bernstein, C.Wyatt Evans, Sharon Sundue (chair), Jeremy Varon
Assistant Professors: Luis Campos (Caspersen School of Graduate Studies), James Carter, Wyatt Evans (Caspersen School of Graduate Studies)
An understanding of history provides valuable insights into cultures and problems of civilizations. A certain elasticity of mind is required of the history major, who must learn to see the whole and also comprehend the interaction of the parts. This intellectual ability is useful in many fields, such as law, marketing, and journalism. The department offers a range of courses and seminars making possible study of America, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia, as well as African-American and women's history.
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Requirements for the Major (44 credits)
I. One survey course in American history (4 credits)
HIST 1/History of the United States, from Contact to 1877 OR HIST 2/History of the United States, 1876-Present
II. One survey course in European history (4 credits)
HIST 7/European History 1492-1789: Reformation, Enlightenment, and Revolution OR HIST 8/European History 1789-1889: Nationalism, Totalitarianism, and Rebirth
IIII. One course in global history from the following (4 credits):
HIST 50/History of Imperial Russia
HIST 61/Modern Sub-Saharan Africa
HIST 65/History of the Islamic Middle East, 600-1800
HIST 66/History of the Modern Middle East
HIST 75/Latin America Since Independence
HIST 80/History of Asia: Asian Traditions
HIST 180/Modern Chinese History
IV. HIST 94/Historical Research Methods (4)
V. HIST 194/History Research Seminar (4)
VI. Additional courses in history totaling 24 credits
In completing the above requirements, at least 16 of the 44 credits, not including HIST 194, must be in upper-level history. It is recommended that majors take HIST 94 as early as possible, preferably in their sophomore year, and that students who want to write an Honors thesis take HIST 194 in their junior year.
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Requirements for the Minor (20 credits)
At least 12 credits must be intermediate- and upper-level courses. Students are encouraged to consider minoring in specific areas such as American history, European history, non-Western history, and intellectual and social history.
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Advanced Placement (AP) examinations
A score of 4 on the American history examination exempts the student from HIST 1 or 2. A score of 5 on the American history examination exempts the student from HIST 1 and 2. A score of 4 on the European history examination exempts the student from HIST 7 or 8. A score of 5 on the European history examination exempts the student from HIST 7 and 8. See pages 15-16 for further information about AP credits.
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Additional Courses
Courses in other departments and programs offered irregularly may be applicable to the history major. Consult the history department course listings each semester. Junior and senior students may apply to enroll in graduate courses offered by the history department with the permission of the instructor. For courses, see the Graduate School catalog, modern history and literature program.
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Off-Campus Programs
The European Semester
The European Semester is offered in Brussels , Belgium each fall semester. It allows students to explore the politics, economics, sociology, and history of the EU and NATO, as well as the member states of these organizations. The program is directed by a Drew faculty member and courses are taught by a distinguished European faculty. Guest speakers and field trips to prominent European historical, political, and artistic settings are central to the European Semester experience. After spending 9 weeks in Brussels , students will travel to individual countries for the final weeks of the term, in order to explore a national perspective on Europe and its issues.
Drew London Semester
The London Semester, offered every spring semester, allows students to explore political and social change in Britain. Courses focus on the interplay of British history and politics, and literary and theatrical portrayals of social and political themes. The program is directed by a Drew faculty member, and classes are taught by a continuing staff of distinguished British faculty. Field trips to political meetings, party conferences, theatres, and museums, along with guest speakers from British political, literary, and theatrical life, are a regular feature of the academic program. Students live in apartments prearranged by the program staff. A variety of cultural activities and special events introduce the students to the cultural life of London .
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