The History Major

Introducing Concepts and Skills:

History majors are required to take both halves of the American history survey (listed below). These courses provide students with a basic overview of American history while introducing them to a variety of historical skills and approaches. The classes also provide a narrative baseline for more advanced courses in the American History Area. They are especially important for students planning to pursue a career teaching at the high school level. Either course fulfills one of Humboldt’s Institutions General Education requirement. Several sections of each of these courses are offered every semester.

• History 110: U.S. History to 1877

• History 111: U.S. History Since 1877

History majors are required to take two courses from the list below. These courses provide students with a basic overview of history in Europe, Asia, and/or Latin America, while introducing them to a variety of historical skills and approaches. The classes also provide a narrative baseline for more advanced courses in the European or World History Areas. All of these courses fulfill Humboldt’s Area D Lower Division General Education requirement. At least two of these courses are offered every semester.

• History 104: Western Civilization to 1650
• History 105: Western Civilization Since 1650
• History 107: East Asian Civilization to 1644
• History 108: East Asian Civilization 1644 to Present
• History 109A: Colonial Latin America
• History 109B: Modern Latin America
• History 200: World Cultures & Civilizations to 1500
• History 201: World Cultures & Civilizations since 1500

Establishing Basic Concepts and Skills:

History 210, “Historical Methods,” is the foundation of the History Major and establishes basic skills and knowledge: critical thinking, research, writing, oral presentation, and historiography and historical methodology. Students must take History 210 before taking (or concurrent with) any upper division history courses. At least one section of History 210 is offered every semester.

Reinforcing Concepts and Skills:

Most upper division (300-level) History courses are divided into three regional areas: American, European, and World. Students need not select a area, but they must take 4 units (usually 1 course) in each area. Students must take a total of 24 units (usually 6 courses) in the areas. In addition to providing in-depth historical content, the upper division coursework reinforces the skills learned in History 210. At least two courses in each area are offered every semester.

Please note: History 300, 301, and 305 are offered for 3 units to fulfill Humboldt’s Area D Upper Division General Education requirement, and a fourth unit of area course credit is offered as a separate course for History majors.

Please note: The pre 2022 courses HIST 311 and HIST 312 meet requirements for Elementary Education and History Education students. See your advisor if you have questions.

Demonstrating Mastery of Concepts and Skills:

History 490, the “Senior Seminar in History,” is taken during the senior year as a “capstone” course. Students use and refine the research, critical thinking, oral presentation, and writing skills that they learned as History majors at Humboldt to pursue research projects and write research papers on the topics of their choice. At least one section of History 490 is offered every semester.