History, B.A.
The undergraduate program in History is designed to develop critical intelligence and to foster an awareness of ourselves and our world through the study of the past. The Department presents a variety of approaches to history, and each emphasizes basic disciplinary skills: weighing evidence, constructing logical arguments, and exploring the role of theory in historical analysis and human action.
Upper-division courses range from the examination of individual nation-states (e.g., Chinese history), to studies of the relations among nation-states (e.g., Emergence of the Modern Middle East), to historical analyses of political, socio-economic, and cultural factors (e.g., Women in the United States). Students are also provided the opportunity for small-group learning experiences through colloquia. The colloquia are conducted as discussion groups, involve close reading and analysis of primary and secondary texts, and require writing.
All students must meet the University Requirements.
All students must meet the School Requirements.
Departmental Requirements for the Major
Twelve courses are required:
| A. Select two of the following: | |
| Problems in History: Asia | |
| Problems in History: Europe | |
| Problems in History: United States | |
| Problems in History: Latin America | |
| Problems in History: Middle East and Africa | |
| Problems in History: Transregional History | |
| B. Two additional lower-division History courses | |
| C. Four upper-division History courses | |
| D. Complete the following: | |
| HISTORY 100W | Writing About History |
| HISTORY 190 | Colloquium |
| E. Two additional lower- or upper-division History courses | |
| F. At least one of the twelve required courses must be devoted to the period prior to 1800. | |
Residence Requirement for the History Major: One course from the History 70 series, HISTORY 100W, HISTORY 190, and three upper-division History courses must be completed successfully at UCI. By petition, two of the six may be taken through the UC Education Abroad Program, provided that course content is approved in advance by the Chair of the History Undergraduate Program Committee.
The Specialization in History for Future Teachers is designed to prepare history majors who aspire to earn a post-baccalaureate teaching credential. Through specific history course requirements, courses in the School of Education, and a field work requirement, students will be well positioned for admission to teaching credential programs.
All students must meet the University Requirements.
All students must meet the School Requirements.
Fifteen courses are required:
| A. Select one of the following series: | |
| World: Innovations and World: Empires and Revolutions and World: Nation, War, and Rights | |
| or | |
| Colonial America: New Worlds and Nineteenth-Century U.S.: Crisis and Expansion and Modern America: Culture and Power | |
| B. Complete the following: | |
| HISTORY 70C | Problems in History: United States |
| HISTORY 100W | Writing About History |
| HISTORY 190 | Colloquium |
| C. Select two courses from the following: | |
| Problems in History: Asia | |
| Problems in History: Europe | |
| Problems in History: Latin America | |
| Problems in History: Middle East and Africa | |
| Problems in History: Transregional History | |
| D. Select one course in California History. | |
| California Dreaming: Conquest, Conflict, and Globalization in the Golden State | |
| Chicana/Chicano History: Twentieth Century | |
| E. Two upper-division U.S. History courses. | |
| F. Two upper-division non-U.S. History courses. | |
| G. Select one course from the School of Education. | |
| Adolescent Development and Education | |
| Multicultural Education in K-12 Schools | |
| Exceptional Learners | |
| Educational Technology | |
| Cognition and Learning in Educational Settings | |
| H. Complete at least two units of field work from EDUC 100 or other relevant experience with prior departmental approval. | |
Residence Requirement for the History Major with a Specialization in History for Future Teachers: HISTORY 70C, HISTORY 100W, HISTORY 190, and three upper-division History courses must be completed successfully at UCI. By petition, two of the six may be taken through the UC Education Abroad Program, provided that course content is approved in advance by the Chair of the History Undergraduate Program Committee.
The training and discipline derived from historical studies provide a valuable experience for all educated persons seeking to understand themselves and their world. Many students who complete undergraduate degrees in the Department of History go on to graduate school in a variety of fields, including history, law, business, international relations, and education.
The study of history is valuable preparation for many other careers as well. The strong academic and professional orientation acquired by History majors is necessary to pursue successful careers in such diverse fields as advertising, the non-profit sector, journalism, management, public relations, publishing, international relations,and government service.
The UCI Division of Career Pathways provides services to students on resume preparation, job search, and interview techniques. See the UCI Division of Career Pathways website for additional information.
The department strongly encourages majors and minors to take advantage of the University’s study abroad programs and to experience a different culture, for a quarter or longer, while making progress toward their UCI degree. Moreover, students who are particularly interested in the history of a specific country or region would greatly benefit from direct study and cultural interaction within that country or region. Information about studying abroad can be found at UCI's Study Abroad Center website.