Plan of Study

General Education Requirements

The Department offers 16 courses that fulfill the Comparative Practices Requirement, HIST 228, 231, 232, 251, 252, 253, 254, 270, 343, 356, 362, 364, 371, 372, 373 and 374; 13 courses that fulfill the Domestic component of the Perspectives on Diversity Requirement, HIST 121, 122, 270, 324, 356, 357, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 372 and 373; and 19 courses that fulfill the International component of the Perspectives on Diversity Requirement, HIST 226, 228, 231, 232, 251, 252, 253, 254, 353, 354, 371, 374, 376, 377, 378, 472, 473 and 474. The Department also offers Earlham Seminars in History and Interpretive Practices courses.

The Major

Majors complete at least 35 credits in the geographic areas offered, namely African history, East Asian history, European history, Latin American history and U.S. history, and/or in such thematic areas as African-American history, Atlantic World, colonialism and imperialism, gender, Jewish history, political ideology, revolutionary and reform movements, thought and culture, and war and conflict. Majors are urged to take an Earlham Seminar in history during their first year and an introductory course in the primary area of study.

Majors are required to take:

3-4 courses from a thematic or a geographic area of their choice
3-4 courses from a second geographic area
2 elective courses — non-western if areas are Europe/U.S.; elective courses may also support or augment themes or areas.
2 upper-level research courses, chosen from upper-level four-credit courses that are designated as giving Research Credit, HIST 484 Ford/Knight Research Project, or the Newberry Library Program.
HIST 410 Philosophy of History OR
HIST 482 American Historiography
HIST 488 Senior Capstone Experience. The Capstone Experience is a history colloquium.

The Minor

Students must take no fewer than five courses, with at least three courses in one geographic or thematic area and one course in another area. Among these courses: