About this Program
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts
- Specialization: Legal History
- Credits for Degree: 120
- More Info
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Department Information
Undergraduate students in the Department of History come to the program as four-year residential students, PaCE students, and as transfers from Florida state colleges and out-of-state institutions. They join a large, diverse, and active community of faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates. Program highlights include a vibrant Honors Program, engaged student organizations, and numerous opportunities for undergraduate research.
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CONTACT
Email | 352.392.0271 (tel) | 352.392.6927 (fax)
P.O. Box 117320
25 KEENE-FLINT HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-7320
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Curriculum
History students graduate as powerful thinkers, capable of synthesizing information and presenting compelling narratives and persuasive arguments. Whether examining archival records or collaborating on public history projects, students learn to connect historical insights to broader societal questions.
The program emphasizes both intellectual depth and practical application. Experiential learning opportunities, such as contributing to our undergraduate research journal, holding internships, writing a senior thesis, and studying abroad, foster personal and intellectual growth. The History program builds skills that not only deepen historical analysis but also prepare students for an astonishing range of rewarding careers.
The history major focuses on the development of three related skill sets critical to personal and professional success in today’s complex world:
WRITING
History is a writing-intensive discipline. Although assignments vary by course, faculty teach a set of critical skills and research techniques that will help them gather and analyze sources and then marshal the evidence in the presentation of coherent historical arguments.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Students learn to evaluate and synthesize course materials and bring critical engagement to both the classroom and written work.
ORAL COMMUNICATION
The major places significant emphasis on effective oral communication and developing the ability to make cogent arguments and deploy evidence fairly and effectively. Students contribute actively in the classroom and hone their oral communication abilities through discussions, debates, role playing, and presentations.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR
All history majors must complete a minimum of 36 credits in history with minimum grades of C. History majors may enroll in a maximum of three history courses per semester.
Majors must take a minimum of 21 credits of history at UF.
Required Major Coursework
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
History Core Coursework | ||
HIS 3942 | History Practicum | 3 |
AMH 4930 / AFH 4930 / ASH 4930 / EUH 4930 / HIS 4930 / LAH 4930 / WOH 4930 | History Research Seminar 1 | 3 |
History Major Electives | ||
3000/4000-level History courses | 21 | |
1000 to 4000-level History courses 2 | 9 | |
Total Credits | 36 |
- 1
AMH 4930 / AFH 4930 / ASH 4930 / EUH 4930 / HIS 4930 / LAH 4930 / WOH 4930 is the capstone course of the major and normally taken in the senior year, although students who plan to write an honors thesis are encouraged to take the course as juniors. In this seminar, students produce a substantial research paper based on primary source research. Enrollment in the research seminar is restricted to majors. The History Research Seminar must be taken at UF.
- 2
Within the major electives, students must meet the following regional distribution requirements:
- at least 9 credits (three courses) in American history (AMH) and European history (EUH), with at least one course in AMH, one course in EUH, and one course in AMH or EUH
- at least 9 credits (three courses) in AFH, ASH, LAH, or WOH, with a maximum of two courses under any one prefix.
- The history research seminar may count toward the regional distribution, depending on the prefix of the course taken (AFH, AMH, ASH, EUH, LAH, or WOH).
Only exam (AICE, AP, CLEP, or IB) credits with course equivalencies for UF courses count toward the requirements for the major and then only at the 2000 level. AMH L000, EUH L000, and WOH L000 do not count toward the major.
COMBINATION DEGREE PROGRAM
Majors who are interested in advanced training are encouraged to consider the 4/1 combination degree program.
More Info
RESEARCH
Majors are encouraged to consider advanced research opportunities in history. The department places special emphasis on participation in the History Honors Program.
More Info
The History major exposes students to key issues in the history of the United States, Europe and areas of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Students will develop the critical interpretative skills needed to assess both primary and secondary sources in the complex task of thinking about the past. Students will master a set of research skills that help them develop their own historical arguments. Significant emphasis is laid on effective written communication reflected in the cogency of arguments and use of evidence.
Before Graduating Students Must
- Complete the distribution requirements of the major (6 credits in AMH, 6 credits EUH, 6 credits in AFH, ASH or LAH) with minimum grades of C, as graded by department rubric.
- Complete HIS 3942 and HIS 4930 with minimum grades of C, as graded by department rubric.
- Complete 35 credits in history, including at least 26 at the 3000/4000 level, and all with minimum grades of C, as graded by department rubric.
- Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.
Students in the Major Will Learn to
Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs
Content
- Acquire and apply basic research skills learned through use of print and electronic resources of the library and web.
Critical Thinking
- Critically assess and interpret primary and secondary sources.
- Identify a historical research topic related to the focus of the research seminar, develop knowledge of the topic through research, and create historical arguments using evidence effectively with clear purpose.
Communication
- Produce an effectively written analytical research paper based in research of primary sources, framed within the secondary literature and offering a coherent historical argument supported by evidence.
Curriculum Map
I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed
Courses | SLO 1 | SLO 2 | SLO 3 | SLO 4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
AFH, ASH, LAH 3000-4000 level (6 credits) | R | R | R | R |
AMH 3000-4000 level (6 credits) | R | R | R | R |
AFH, AMH, ASH, EUH, HIS, LAH, WOH 3000-4000 level (15 credits) | R | R | R | R |
AFH 4930, AMH 4930, ASH 4930, EUH 4930, HIS 4930, LAH 4930: Senior Seminar | A | A | A | A |
EUH 3000-4000 level (6 credits) | R | R | R | R |
HIS 3942 History Practicum | I, A | I, A | I | I |
Assessment Types
- Skills-set exam
- Capstone statement for final project