Students majoring in other disciplines may elect a minor in history. Students find that a minor in history enhances their opportunities for employment, law school or graduate school admission.
Honors Research in History
The History Department invites outstanding undergraduate majors to pursue intensive research and produce a Senior thesis as part of a community of history honors students. History honors students will be admitted to the program in the Spring semester of their Junior year and undertake two semesters of honors course work (a total of 6 credits for the program) during their senior year. These six credits will include a designated Honors section of HIST 5199 Senior Seminar in the Fall and HIST 5711 Honors Research in the Spring.
During the Spring semester of their Junior year, qualified students will be invited to apply for the History Honors Program. Students will consult with a proposed thesis adviser and submit a one-page project proposal, including the proposed adviser’s signature. Upon recommendation of the History Honors Research Committee, the program coordinator will inform applicants whether or not they have been accepted into the program. Accepted students may then enroll in the honors section of HIST 5199 Senior Seminar.
During the Fall semester of their Senior year, admitted students will participate in a designated honors section of HIST 5199 Senior Seminar, to be led by the program coordinator. Throughout the Fall semester, students will continue to consult with the thesis adviser while fulfilling the requirements of HIST 5199 Senior Seminar.
During the Spring semester of their senior year, students will enroll in HIST 5711 Honors Research, continuing to pursue independent research under the direction of the thesis adviser. As part of their course requirements in HIST 5711 Honors Research, students will also participate in periodic meetings with fellow history honors students, led by the program coordinator. During these meetings, students will be expected to present updates on their ongoing research. The completed thesis must be submitted by April 15. Those who miss the deadline for submission will receive a grade and credit for HIST 5711 Honors Research, but will not qualify for history honors. Students will be required to present their research findings publicly at the History Honors Symposium in late April.
Eligible students who request admission to HIST 5711 Honors Research but who have not participated in the history honors section of HIST 5199 Senior Seminar may be allowed to enroll at the discretion of the History Honors Research Committee and with the approval of the department chair.
