History BA

Course Requirements

Notes

Breadth requirement: A course that seems to fall into two breadth areas may be used to satisfy the requirement of one area.  A course used to fulfill a requirement for a double major, joint major, or a minor in another subject may not also fulfill a requirement for the history major.​

Total Credits Required for Major: 36

Additional Degree Requirements Include:

• Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements
• Elective courses as needed to complete the 120 credit hour total

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 120

Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This should not be used for financial aid purposes.

Academic Requirements

Each HIS course must be completed with a minimum grade of C- (1.667), to count toward the History BA requirements.  An overall grade point average of at least 2.150 in courses counting toward the history requirements is required to graduate. UB Seminars (198/199 courses) may not count toward major requirements.

Transfer Credit Policy

Transfer students majoring in history may receive credit for up to five history courses (15 credit hours) but must take seven upper-level history courses, including the two 400-level seminars, at UB. Transfer courses will be evaluated and will only be applicable to the BA if they directly articulate to or otherwise satisfy one of the History BA requirements.

Program Honors

Majors who complete at least four history courses with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.330 (B+) or who have a letter of support from a faculty member willing to supervise their project are eligible to apply for admission to the History department Honors Program. Students participate in HIS 497  and HIS 497  and produce a substantial thesis based on primary source research. Students must also meet the remaining criteria outlined in the Academic Honors policy. Students who successfully complete the honors program and meet the criteria will have the appropriate notation on their official transcript.

Curricular Plan

A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge to:

• Study distinct historical events and figures; interpret a range of social, political, economic, cultural, intellectual, environmental factors; identify the particularities of change over time.
• Explain the influence of the past on the present.
• Hone critical thinking and reading skills.
• Synthesize complex historical information.
• Construct sophisticated historical arguments and support these arguments with evidence.
• Develop research tools: how to pose questions, obtain evidence, identify gaps in the historical record.
• Assess and challenge historical narratives and viewpoints.
• Display disciplined analysis of primary and secondary sources.
• Compare regions and time periods.
• Learn how to become a persuasive writer.
• Cultivate oral communication: how to present research findings clearly, and analyze primary and secondary sources in discussion.