History - B.A. Download to print

The Bachelor of Arts in History appeals to individuals seeking both a well-rounded educational experience and intellectual independence. The study of history, through the emphasis on research, examination, interpretation and reflection, offers thorough training in a range of skills, including the ability to read extensively and critically; the capability to apprehend, evaluate and analyze complex evidence, arguments and opinions; the know-how to develop and present a carefully informed, reasoned and crafted argument; confident and clear oral communication skills; and the capacity to undertake independent work and manage time effectively. Students choose from four concentrations: European History, Global History, Pre-1800 History and United States History. 

The European History concentration affords students the opportunity to study chronological and topical courses on the history of Western and Eastern Europe. Chronologically defined courses cover the full run of the civilization's history from the medieval period through recent decades. Topical courses address such areas as cultural, diplomatic, women's and military history, as well as race and gender. Students selecting this concentration can develop a chronological or topical specialization or select a broad array of courses. 

The Global History concentration provides courses on the history and culture of societies outside Europe and the United States. Geographically, students can study the histories of Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Topical courses will address issues important to these regions, including race, gender, modernity, class, empire, colonialism and post-colonialism. Students selecting this concentration should consider developing a thematic or regional specialization.

The Pre-1800 History concentration affords students the opportunity to think about and explore developments in societies and cultures worldwide before the advent of modernity. Chronologically, the courses in this concentration focus primarily on the medieval and early modern periods up to and including the French Revolution. Geographically, courses in the Pre-1800 History concentration are offered in United States history, European history, and Global history and include a topical focus on culture, society, religion, science and politics. Students selecting this concentration may choose to focus the majority of their courses on a particular region of the world or a particular period in history before the nineteenth century. 

The United States History concentration affords students the opportunity to study the chronological and topical totality of the American experience. Chronologically defined courses cover the full run of the nation's history from European exploration and colonization through recent decades. Topical courses address such areas as cultural, diplomatic, women's and military history, as well as race and gender. Students selecting this concentration can develop a chronological or topical specialization or select a broad array of courses. 

Majoring in History provides a foundation for a number of careers and post-graduate programs. Traditionally, a large number of pre-law students major in history in order to benefit from the critical thinking and writing skills necessary to analyze and process evidence; then learning to make a strong case using evidence. Many teachers and librarians also major in history before attending an M.A. or M.LIS. (MLA) program. Professions within history itself have grown over the years and as states such as Ohio invest more in tourism, park systems and heritage sites these public history fields will continue to grow. Likewise, many of our students go on to national and international careers in public history. The department of History also offers a Master of Arts and Ph.D. program in History, as well as a new Master of Arts in History for Teachers.

Undergraduate majors can consider these post-graduate programs along with other nationally competitive programs to which our majors have been accepted.
  

General Admissions for Freshman Students: Admission Requirements at the Kent Campus: The freshman admission policy at the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon the following: cumulative grade point average, ACT and/or SAT scores, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends.

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago. For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for new freshmen.
 

For more information about admission criteria for transfer, transitioning and former students, please visit the admissions website.

Minimum 120 total credit hours and 42 upper-division credit hours. Minimum 2.000 overall GPA and 2.000 major GPA.
 

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Develop the ability to understand and apply a variety of basic historical methods.
2. Develop and apply the skills to conduct original historical research. Students will learn to find, use, and analyze historical evidence and communicate their findings in an effective manner.
3. Obtain historical content knowledge and understand the connectedness of historical events and the wide varieties of human experiences.
4. Understand History as a discipline based on interpretation with historical questions constantly being reframed and investigated.