History
The history department fosters a learning experience that stands apart from newer modes of instruction at large universities. Amid the shift to larger classes, televised lectures and machine-gradable exams, history faculty deliberately follow a more traditional path. The department’s emphasis on small courses, extensive reading, contentious conversation and interpretative writing may not be for everyone, but it does offer committed students unique rewards. It also comes with high expectations.
About This Major
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts
- Hours for the Degree: 120
- Minor: Yes
- Combined-Degree Program: Yes
- Website: web.history.ufl.edu/new/undergrad_studies.htm
Overview
The history major focuses on the development of three related skill sets critical to professional success in today’s complex world:
- Writing: History is a writing-intensive discipline. Alhough 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.
- Critical analysis: 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 prepared 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.
Coursework for the Major
There are two required courses:
- HIS 3942 History Practicum, a methodological introduction to the study of history, is taken as the first course of the major.
- AMH/AFH/ASH/EUH/LAH/HIS 4930 History Research Seminar is the capstone course of the major and is normally taken in the senior year, although students who plan to write an honors thesis are encouraged to take the course as juniors. In this seminar, students produce a substantial research paper based on primary source research. Enrollment in the research seminar is restricted to majors.
Required Coursework
To graduate, all history majors must complete a minimum of 35 credits in history with grades of C or better, including:
- HIS 3942 History Practicum
- AMH/AFH/ASH/EUH/LAH/HIS 4930 History Research Seminar
- 30 additional hours of history courses; at least 21 of these hours must be at the 3000-4000 level
- In addition to the 35 hours of history courses above, students must complete 3-5 credits at the college level in a foreign language. Only grades of C or better or S will count toward the major. (Credit by examination, such as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate, does not apply to this requirement).
- Majors must 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 may count toward this distribution requirement.
- History majors must take a minimum of 21 credits of history at UF. They also may enroll in a maximum of three history courses per semester. Prior to graduating, history majors complete an online exit survey.
- Only exam (AICE, AP, CLEP or IB) credits with course equivalencies at UF 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.
Recommended Coursework
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).
Combined Degree Program
Majors who are interested in advanced training are encouraged to consider the 4/1 combined degree program. More information.
Research
Majors are encouraged to consider advanced research opportunities in history. The department places special emphasis on participation in the history honors program.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
Semester 2
- Complete 1 history course at the 2000 level or above
Semester 3
- Complete 1 additional history course at the 2000 level or above with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 4
- Complete 1 additional history course at the 3000 level or above (recommended) with a 2.8 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 5
- By the end of semester 5, students must have completed 4 history courses: HIS 3942 History Practicum, two history courses at the 2000 level or above and one history course at the 3000 level or above with a 2.8 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Recommended semester plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| HIS 3942 History Practicum (complete in 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 |
| History course (2000 level or above) | 3 |
| Science laboratory (GE-P or B) | 1 |
| Total | 16-18 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| Electives (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option) | 6 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| History courses (two at 3000 level or above) | 6 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| History courses (two at 3000 level or above) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| HIS 4970 Senior Thesis (if honors candidate) | 2 |
| Elective | 3-1 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| History course (3000 level or above) | 3 |
| History Research Seminar (4930) | 3 |
| Total | 17-15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| HIS 4970 Honors Thesis (if honors candidate) | 2 |
| Elective | 0-2 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| History courses (two at 3000 level or above) | 6 |
| Total | 16-14 |