History, BA

To understand the present, prepare for the future, and address local and global challenges, it is essential to understand the past. The Department of History offers training in content knowledge and foundational skills for today’s world- evidence-based critical thinking, primary source research, close reading, persuasive communication, and analytical writing. History majors go on to a range of careers in education, business, consulting, media and journalism, law, government and public service, archival and museum work, and more.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Students must satisfy the specific degree requirements for their undergraduate major and fulfill the following University degree requirements:

Academic (program total units with an average 2.0 GPA - “C” or better)
General Education (GE) (34 Lower Division + 9 Upper Division)
American Institutions (AI) (0-6 units) (may be satisfied in GE Areas 3A, 3B, 4, UD 3, or UD 4)
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) 3 units (see Writing in the Disciplines)
Physical Education (PE) (0-2 units)
Units in Residence (30 units, including 24 upper division and 12 in major)
Upper Division Units (40 units, including 12 upper div in major for BA, 18 upper div in major for BS)
Undergraduate Policies & Procedures

Apply for Graduation
Information about the Commencement Ceremony and Conferral of the Degree

Summary of Degree Units

Core Lower Division General Education: 28 (6 units may be satisfied by major coursework)

American Institutions/ US123 Requirements: 0 (6 units may be satisfied by major coursework)

Upper Division General Education: 3 (6 units may be satisfied by major coursework)

Physical Education: 2

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR): 0 (3 units may be satisfied by HIST 100W)

Major Requirements: 50

University Electives and/or Minor: 37

Total: 120

2. Major Requirements (50 units)

Lower Division Major Requirements (9 units)

HIST 99 - History Fundamentals 3 unit(s)

Complete One Sequence From:

World History

HIST 1A - World History to 1500 3 unit(s) (GE Area 4 / Formerly Area D)
HIST 1B - World History from 1500 3 unit(s) (GE Area 4 / Formerly Area D)

Western Civilization

HIST 10A - Western Civilization 3 unit(s) (GE Area 4 / Formerly Area D)
HIST 10B - Western Civilization 3 unit(s) (GE Area 4 / Formerly Area D)

Upper Division Major Requirements (41 units)

Students who fulfill SJSU Studies Area S with HIST 185 or HIST 188 and/or SJSU Studies Area V with HIST 136 , HIST 153 or HIST 155 may need additional upper-division courses to meet the minimum University graduation requirement of 40 upper-division units. Such students should take an additional upper-division History course.

HIST 100W - History Writers’ Workshop 3 unit(s) (WID)
HIST 102 - Historiography 4 unit(s)

Field of Study Courses

Upper-division History courses are divided into 4 fields of study: Ancient & Medieval, Europe, United States, and World. 30 units of upper-division courses must include at least 1 course from each field, including at least 2 pre-1750 courses. Consult major advisor for details.

HIST 173 may be counted as either a United States or a World field course, but not both. Students who take HIST 173 must inform the major advisor which field they want it to count toward.

3. University Electives and/or Minor (37 units)

Minor recommended, but not required; consult history advisor.

Total Units Required (120 units)

A checklist of requirements is available in department office.