History Major

All students must complete at least 36 credits within the major. Required courses include two 100-level courses and at least nine courses at the 200 and 300 levels, three of which must be at the 300 level.  Students are permitted to transfer up to six credits toward the major (including one online course) from outside institutions.  Generally these will be 100- or 200-level courses.  The department will accept up to twelve credits from year-long (two semester) study-abroad programs, which might also count towards one 300-level course.  For semester-long study-abroad programs, the department accepts six transfer credits as requirements for the major.

In order to graduate as history majors, seniors, during their final year, must submit a portfolio of selected work in history or write a senior thesis under the supervision of faculty from the History department. (A senior thesis also satisfies one 300-level course requirement.)  The portfolio will carry one academic credit. The portfolio or the senior thesis will constitute one measure for awarding departmental honors. Honors will be awarded to students who have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major and whose performance has been consistently outstanding during their studies at Goucher College.

Writing proficiency in the major can be fulfilled by obtaining a minimum grade of B- in any 300-level seminar.

Majors must elect at least one course in each of three areas of history—American, European, and non-western (including Latin American, African, Asian, and Middle Eastern) —and are encouraged to choose from the following: