Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

History BA


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“I love learning where we come from.”

“We need to understand the past if we want to create lasting social change.”

“History offers the most versatility in terms of learning about science, art, religion, politics and culture.”

Our students say it best-history is the key to understanding what happened, why it happened, and the impact it has on our lives today. And it’s one of the most flexible majors, since it lets you explore so many different interests. Ready for a bright future? Keep scrolling.

Visit the History academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.

Visit the History department page  for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.

Admission Criteria


Current UB students seeking admission to the History BA will be added to the major upon request by completing the College of Arts and Sciences Major/Minor Change Request Form.

Course Requirements


Twelve History Courses (36 credits)


  • Eight of the twelve HIS courses must be at the 300/400 level (24 credits), including at least two 400-level HIS seminars.
  • At least one course, at any level, must be taken from each of the four different breadth areas below.
    • It is recommended that students take 100 and 200-level courses that satisfy the breadth requirement in the first two years.

Asian, African Continent, or Latin American History of Any Period (AAL)


US History (USH)


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.

First Year Fall


  • UB Seminar Credits: 3
  • HIS 100 or 200 level (breadth) Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Pathway Credits: 3
  • Credits: 4 OR  Pathway Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15 or 16


First Year Spring


  • Pathway Credits: 3
  • HIS 100 or 200 level (breadth) Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Pathway Credits: 3
  • Credits: 4 OR  Pathway Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15 or 16


Second Year Fall


  • Scientific Literacy and Inquiry 1 Credits: 3
  • Math & Quantitative Reasoning Credits: 4
  • Pathway Credits: 3
  • HIS 100 or 200-level Credits: 3
  • HIS 100 or 200-level Credits: 3

Total Credits: 16


Second Year Spring


  • Pathway Credits: 3
  • Scientific Literacy and Inquiry 2 Credits: 3
  • Scientific Literacy and Inquiry Lab Credits: 1
  • HIS 300-level (breadth) Credits: 3
  • HIS 300-level (breadth) Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 16


Third Year Fall


  • Communication Literacy 2 Credits: 3
  • HIS 300/400 level Credits: 3
  • HIS 300/400 level Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Credits: 1

Total Credits: 16


Third Year Spring


  • HIS 300/400 level Credits: 3
  • HIS 300/400 level Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15


Fourth Year Fall


  • HIS 400 level Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 1

Total Credits: 13


Fourth Year Spring


  • HIS 400 level Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 1

Total Credits: 13


Total Credits Required: 120


Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.

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.

 

(HEGIS: 22.05 HISTORY, CIP54.0101 History, General)

 

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