BA.HST.G - History (Major, Minor)

Total credit requirements for a History major: A student who enters Whitman without any prior college-level preparation in history will need to complete 36 credits.

Students declare a major in one of two tracks: History (Global) or History (Thematic).

• Required Courses for All Tracks

  • History 299 and 401

    • A minimum grade of C is required in History 299.

  • One History seminar at the 390-level

  • History 402 or 498

  • At least one course in pre-modern history

  • At least one course in modern history

• Elective Courses for Global Track

  • A total of four courses distributed across four of the following geographical areas:

    • Africa/African Diaspora

    • Ancient Mediterranean

    • Asia

    • Europe

    • Islamic World

    • Latin America

    • North America/United States

  • Two elective courses in any area

• Elective Courses for Thematic Track

  • Four courses in one of the following pathways:

    • Cultures and Ideas

    • Empires and Colonialism

    • Revolution, War, and Politics

    • Social Justice

    • Before Modernity

  • Two elective courses in any area

• Senior Requirements

  • History 401

  • History 402, in which students choose to write either:

    • An integrative essay (bringing together coursework completed in their Track)

    • A research essay (conducting further research on a topic related to their Track)

  • Honors candidates take History 498 instead of 402.

  • Oral defense of the senior essay

• Honors

  • Students submit an “Honors in Major Study Application” to their department.

  • Students must submit a proposal for their thesis or project within the first six weeks of the two-semester period in which they are eligible.

  • Accumulated at least 87 credits

  • Completed two semesters of residency at Whitman

  • Major GPA of at least 3.500

  • Complete a written thesis or research project prepared exclusively for the satisfaction of this program.

  • Earn a grade of at least A- on the honors thesis or project and the honors thesis course.

  • Pass the senior assessment with distinction.

  • The department will submit the honors applications to the Registrar’s Office of students pursuing honors by the specified deadline.

  • The department will submit the “Senior Assessment/Major Study Certificate” to the Registrar’s Office no later than Reading Day.

  • An acceptable digital copy of the honors thesis must be submitted to Penrose Library no later than Reading Day.

• Notes

  • No more than 8 credits at the 100-level may be applied toward the major.

  • No more than 8 credits earned in off-campus studies and transfer credits may be applied toward the major.

  • No courses may be taken P-D-F after declaration of major.

  • Students receiving a 5 on the AP U.S. History exam earn 4 credits for History 106.

  • Students receiving a 5 on the AP World History or European History exam earn 4 credits, but no course equivalency.