BA in History (Law and Social Justice)

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 four upper division seminars to help hone reading, writing, critical thinking, and research skills. In addition, students choose six electives from a wide variety available, spanning the globe and time periods. The flexibility of the major allows students to focus on particular areas of interest or to explore a wide range of histories. Those interested in pursuing careers in law and public advocacy should consider the concentration in Law and Social Justice. Those interested in pursuing middle or high school history teaching should complete the History/Social Science Pre-credential Program.

  1. Program Requirements

Required Core Lower Division Courses (12 Units)
HIST 17AUnited States History, 1607-1877 13
HIST 17BUnited States History, 1877-Present 13
HIST 50World History I: to 15003
HIST 51World History from 1500 to the Present.3
Required Core Upper Division Courses (12 Units) 2
HIST 100Introduction to Historical Skills3
HIST 100RDeveloping Historical Skills. (Developing Historical Skills) 13
Select one of the following:3
HIST 192A
Seminar in Recent Interpretations of United States History
HIST 192B
Seminar in Recent Interpretations of European History
HIST 192C
Seminar in Recent Interpretations of Asian History
HIST 192E
Seminar in Recent Interpretations of African History
HIST 192F
Seminar in Recent Interpretations of Latin American History
HIST 192Z
Seminar in Recent Interpretations of a Special Topic
Select one of the following:3
HIST 197A
Senior Research Seminar: United States History
HIST 197B
Senior Research Seminar: World History
HIST 197C
Senior Research Seminar: Public History
Required Courses for Concentration (21 Units)
HIST 151BFounding Documents: American Democracy before 1800 (Concentration)3
HIST 173The History of the Civil Rights Movement: From Reconstruction to Deconstruction, 1865-Present 3
HIST 180American Legal History3
Select three upper division history courses from the list below: 9
HIST 153
Civil War and Reconstruction, 1840-1890
HIST 156
The Sixties: Years of Hope, Days of Rage
HIST 165
American Environmental History
HIST 167
History of American Women
HIST 171A
American Indian History to 1840
HIST 171B
American Indian History since 1840
HIST 172A
LGBTQ Histories
HIST 172B
Queer Black Histories
HIST 174A
History of Disability in the United States
HIST 174B
History of Madness in the United States
HIST 175A
Sex, Population, and Birth Control in America
HIST 177
The African-American Experience, 1603-Present
HIST 178
Mexican-American History
HIST 179
American Immigration History
HIST 181
Anarchists and Revolutionaries: Transnational Radicalism in America
HIST 186B
History of California Water
HIST 188
American Labor History
Select one upper division history course from the list below: 3
HIST 121
Democracy and Human Rights in the Era of the French Revolution and Napoleon
HIST 122C
Women's Global Activism in the 20th Century
HIST 131
History of Sexuality in Comparative Perspective
HIST 133
Twentieth-Century World History
HIST 137A
Latin American Revolutions in the Twentieth Century
HIST 139A
Global Environmental History in the Age of Imperialism, 1450-Present Day
HIST 174C
Disability in World History: A Comparative History
Total Units45
1

Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.

2

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

Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units)
A1 - Oral Communication3
A2 - Written Communication3
A3 - Critical Thinking 23
Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units)
B1 - Physical Science3
B2 - Life Forms3
B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5)1
B4 - Math Concepts3
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 - Arts3
C2 - Humanities 33
C1/C2 - Area C Course 33
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 33
Area D Course3
Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units)
Area E Course 43
Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units)
Area F Course3
Total Units49
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

HIST 10 recommended.

3

Required in Major; also satisfies GE.

4

HIST 21 recommended.

Graduation Requirements1

Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (6 Units)
American Institutions: U.S. History 20
American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government3
Writing Intensive (WI)3
Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (9 Units)
English Composition II3
Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) 20
Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 36
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