2009-10 Undergraduate Catalog
Majors
The history major focuses on the development of three related sets of skills.
Majors complete a minimum of 35 credits in history (with grades of C or better). Of these, at least 26 credits are at the 3000-4000 level. Majors are encouraged, but not required, to take a total of nine credits at the introductory 2000 level, including one course in American history (AMH), one course in European history (EUH), and one course in African, Asian or Latin American history (AFH, ASH, LAH courses).
Only exam (AP, IB) credits with course equivalencies at the University of Florida count toward the requirements for the major and then only at the 2000 level. AMH 0301, EUH 0301 and WOH 0301 do not count toward the major. Courses used to meet the requirements of another major or minor may not be used toward a major in history.
There are two required courses for all majors. The History Practicum (HIS 3942), a methodological introduction to the study of history, is taken as the first course of the major. The History Research Seminar (AMH/AFH/ASH/EUH/LAH/HIS 4930) is the capstone course of the major and is normally taken in the senior year though gifted students who plan to write a senior thesis may take the course as juniors. In this seminar, students produce a substantial research paper. Enrollment for both courses is restricted to majors. All majors must earn three-five course credits at the college level in a foreign language.
Majors take at least two courses in American history (AMH), two in European history (EUH) and two courses in other geographical areas (AFH, ASH or LAH prefixes only). The History Research Seminar counts toward this distribution requirement.
History majors take a minimum of 21 credits of history at the University of Florida. They also may enroll in a maximum of three history courses per semester. Prior to graduating, history majors complete an online exit survey.
In addition to the 35 hours of history courses specified above, students must complete 3-5 credits at the college level in a foreign language. Only classes for which a student has earned a C or better or an S will count toward the major (credit by examination does not apply to this requirement).
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
| History |
| College: Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Degree: Bachelor of Arts |
| Hours for the Degree: 120 |
| Specialization: None |
| Minor: Yes |
| Combined-Degree Program: Yes |
| Website: web.history.ufl.edu/new/undergrad_studies.htm |
The history major focuses on the development of three related sets of skills.
- Writing: History is a writing-intensive discipline. Though assignments vary by course, students will be taught a set of critical skills and research techniques that will help them gather and analyze sources and then marshal the evidence in the presentation of coherent historical arguments.
- Reading: In the typical upper-division course, students read an average of 75 to 125 pages each week. Students will be expected to synthesize the material effectively and come to class ready to discuss the readings.
- Oral communication: Rather than merely recounting facts from readings and lectures, students will develop their own interpretations of historical events and ideas and discuss them with their peers and professor. They will be expected to contribute actively in the classroom and will on occasion lead discussions and give short reports.
Majors complete a minimum of 35 credits in history (with grades of C or better). Of these, at least 26 credits are at the 3000-4000 level. Majors are encouraged, but not required, to take a total of nine credits at the introductory 2000 level, including one course in American history (AMH), one course in European history (EUH), and one course in African, Asian or Latin American history (AFH, ASH, LAH courses).
Only exam (AP, IB) credits with course equivalencies at the University of Florida count toward the requirements for the major and then only at the 2000 level. AMH 0301, EUH 0301 and WOH 0301 do not count toward the major. Courses used to meet the requirements of another major or minor may not be used toward a major in history.
There are two required courses for all majors. The History Practicum (HIS 3942), a methodological introduction to the study of history, is taken as the first course of the major. The History Research Seminar (AMH/AFH/ASH/EUH/LAH/HIS 4930) is the capstone course of the major and is normally taken in the senior year though gifted students who plan to write a senior thesis may take the course as juniors. In this seminar, students produce a substantial research paper. Enrollment for both courses is restricted to majors. All majors must earn three-five course credits at the college level in a foreign language.
Majors take at least two courses in American history (AMH), two in European history (EUH) and two courses in other geographical areas (AFH, ASH or LAH prefixes only). The History Research Seminar counts toward this distribution requirement.
History majors take a minimum of 21 credits of history at the University of Florida. They also may enroll in a maximum of three history courses per semester. Prior to graduating, history majors complete an online exit survey.
In addition to the 35 hours of history courses specified above, students must complete 3-5 credits at the college level in a foreign language. Only classes for which a student has earned a C or better or an S will count toward the major (credit by examination does not apply to this requirement).
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Semester 1:
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
Semester 2:
- Complete 1 history course
Semester 3:
- Complete 1 additional history course with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 4:
- Complete 1 additional history course with a 2.8 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 5:
- Complete 1 additional history course with a 2.8 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework; in addition to the History Practicum, one of these history courses must be at 3000 level or above
- Must have completed History Practicum (HIS 3942)
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Recommended semester plan
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| HIS 3942 History Practicum (students advised to complete first semester) | 2 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Foreign language (required for major, not satisfied by testing) | 3-5 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 14-16 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Foreign language | 3-5 |
| One history course (2000 level or above) | 3 |
| Science laboratory (GE-P or GE-B) | 1 |
| Total | 16-18 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| Electives (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option) | 6 |
| One history course (2000 level or above) | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| Electives | 6 |
| One history course (3000 level or above) | 3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Two history courses (3000 level or above) | 6 |
| Total | 12 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Two history courses (3000 level or above) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| HIS 4970 Senior Thesis (if honors candidate) | 2 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Electives | 3-0 |
| History course (3000 level or above) | 3 |
| History research seminar | 3 |
| Total | 17-14 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| HIS 4970 Senior Thesis (if honors candidate) | 2 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Electives | 2-0 |
| Two history courses (3000 level or above) | 6 |
| Total | 16-14 |