BA in History
Units required for Major: 45
Total units required for BA: 120
Program Description
History, in the broad sense, is the study of all human experience. It examines the people, institutions, ideas, and events from the past to the present. The study of history contributes to cultural literacy and develops critical thinking and other useful skills while helping students understand the present and plan for the future. Historical study provides a solid, fundamental preparation for careers in business, industry, government, and education. It also serves as excellent preparation for law school, foreign service, international work, urban affairs, historical consulting, and library science.
History is an academic discipline offering both breadth and focus. At Sacramento State, the History major includes four lower division survey courses and three upper division seminars. In addition, students choose seven upper division electives from a wide variety available. The flexibility of the major allows students to focus on topical areas such as: women's history, the history of particular geographic areas, cultural history, ethnic group history, economic history, military history, and history from the ancient world to that of the U.S. in the 20th Century. Teaching credential candidates should complete the History/Social Science Pre-credential Program.
Minimum Grade Requirement
A minimum grade of "C-" is required in courses applied to the major.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lower Division Courses (12 Units) | ||
| HIST 17A | United States History, 1607-1877 1 | 3 |
| HIST 17B | United States History, 1877-Present 1 | 3 |
| HIST 50 | World History I: to 1500 | 3 |
| HIST 51 | World History from 1500 to the Present. | 3 |
| Required Upper Division Courses (15 Units) 2 | ||
| HIST 100 | Introduction to Historical Skills | 3 |
| HIST 100R | Developing Historical Skills. (Developing Historical Skills) 1 | 3 |
| HIST 133 | Twentieth-Century World History | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Seminar in Recent Interpretations of United States History | ||
| Seminar in Recent Interpretations of European History | ||
| Seminar in Recent Interpretations of Asian History | ||
| Seminar in Recent Interpretations of African History | ||
| Seminar in Recent Interpretations of Latin American History | ||
| Seminar in Recent Interpretations of a Special Topic | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Senior Research Seminar: United States History | ||
| Senior Research Seminar: World History | ||
| Senior Research Seminar: Public History | ||
| Upper Division Electives (15 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following courses in Historically Underrepresented Communities in the U.S. | 3 | |
| History of American Women | ||
| American Indian History to 1840 | ||
| American Indian History since 1840 | ||
| LGBTQ Histories | ||
| Queer Black Histories | ||
| The History of the Civil Rights Movement: From Reconstruction to Deconstruction, 1865-Present | ||
| History of Disability in the United States | ||
| History of Madness in the United States | ||
| Disability in World History: A Comparative History | ||
| Sex, Population, and Birth Control in America | ||
| Health, Death and Disease in America | ||
| African Cultural Heritage in the Americas | ||
| The African-American Experience, 1603-Present | ||
| Mexican-American History | ||
| American Immigration History | ||
| Select four additional upper division history courses selected in consultation with an advisor | 12 | |
| Upper or Lower Division Elective (3 Units) | ||
| Select one History course at the upper or lower division level in consultation with an advisor. | 3 | |
| Total Units | 45 | |
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Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
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HIST 100, 100R, and 197 form a research and writing sequence in the major. History majors should take HIST 100 in the second semester of their sophomore year or the first semester of their junior year (or after completion of at least 9 units of the required lower division coursework for the major). Students should complete a WPJ portfolio in the same semester as they take HIST 100 and the following semester should take HIST 100R. HIST 100R is in turn a prerequisite for HIST 197, which should be typically completed in a student's final semester. Ideally, HIST 192 should be completed the semester before HIST 197.
Notes:
- Students should consult with a faculty advisor in their first semester at Sacramento State.
- Study of a foreign language is recommended.
- For substitutions in requirements, students should consult with a faculty advisor early in their program. Substitutions require the approval of the Department Chair.
General Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units) | ||
| A1 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| A2 - Written Communication | 3 | |
| A3 - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units) | ||
| B1 - Physical Science | 3 | |
| B2 - Life Forms | 3 | |
| B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) | 1 | |
| B4 - Math Concepts | 3 | |
| B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units) | ||
| C1 - Arts | 3 | |
| C2 - Humanities 3 | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course 3 | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area D: The Individual and Society (9 Units) | ||
| Area D Course 3 | 3 | |
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units) | ||
| Area E Course 4 | 3 | |
| Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units) | ||
| Area F Course | 3 | |
| Total Units | 49 | |
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To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
HIST 10 recommended.
- 3
Required in Major; also satisfies GE.
- 4
HIST 21 recommended.
Graduation Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (6 Units) | ||
| American Institutions: U.S. History 2 | 0 | |
| American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive (WI) | 3 | |
| Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (9 Units) | ||
| English Composition II | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) 2 | 0 | |
| Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 3 | 6 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Required in Major; also satisfies Graduation Requirement.
- 3
If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html