Oct 31, 2025

2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog

2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

History (B.A.)

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Program: B.A.
Department of History
College of Arts and Sciences

Liberal Arts Building 209 ~ 260-481-6686

The courses and programs offered through the Department of History can help you gain a better understanding of yourself and your world as you prepare for a career in teaching, library work, law, public service, or a related profession.

For details on pursuing a second degree in secondary education to teach History in middle school/high school, see the School of Education Secondary Education section in this catalog.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this degree, students will:

Possess broad knowledge and some specialized understanding of the diverse historical pasts of America, Europe, and the World
Understand the basic scientific and humanistic methodology of history as an intellectual discipline including the direct experience of evaluating primary sources and secondary literature
Demonstrate the ability to read, analyze, and write about historic topics
Recognize historical analyses of human experience as the basic outlook of modern culture
Be equipped to continue historical studies throughout life.

Program Delivery:

This program is available on-campus

Declaring this Major:

Declare this major within the Department of History

General Requirements:

Program Requirements:

A grade of C- or higher for all courses required in the major and a GPA of 2.00 or higher for all major department courses taken.

To earn the B.A. with a major in History, you must fulfill the following requirements in addition to the General Requirements noted above:

General Education Requirements: Credits 33

Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements link above for details
A grade of C- or higher is required in each course used to satisfy the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne College Requirements link above for details. Go to Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree

English Writing and Speaking: Credits 6

Speaking Requirement:
HIST 12500 - Great Debates: Introduction to Historical Communication Cr. 3.
Writing Requirement:
HIST 21700 - The Nature of History Cr. 3.

International Language: Credits 14

See Part B in Arts and Sciences Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree

Distribution: Credits 9

See Part C in Arts and Sciences Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree
Choose courses other than HIST

Cultural Studies: Credits 6

See Part D in Arts and Sciences Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree for course choices to fulfill the Non-Western Culture requirement

HIST 11300 - History of Western Civilization I Cr. 3.

Core and Concentration (Major) Courses: Credits 39

HIST 23200 may not be used to fulfill the Western European History or World History requirement in the categories below:

American History courses at the 300 level or higher: Credits 6
Western European History courses at the 300 level or higher: Credits 6
World History courses at the 300 level or higher: Credits 6

HIST 10501 - American History I Cr. 3.
HIST 10601 - American History II Cr. 3.
HIST 11300 - History of Western Civilization I Cr. 3.
HIST 11400 - History of Western Civilization II Cr. 3.
HIST 12500 - Great Debates: Introduction to Historical Communication Cr. 3.
HIST 21700 - The Nature of History Cr. 3.
HIST 49502 - Proseminar for History Majors Cr. 3.

Additional History Course: Credits 3

An additional three credits in HIST or MARS 20100 are required. HIST 23200 may be used to fulfill this requirement

General Elective Courses

Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120.

Honors in History

As an entering student, you could become eligible for the History Honors Program by scoring above 600 on the SAT I verbal test or the CEEB history achievement test; thereafter, you must have a GPA of 3.25 or higher or be recommended by a member of the department for admission. Admission to the degree program requires that you submit a written petition to the department no later than the end of your junior year.

In addition to fulfilling the B.A. requirements, completion of this honors program requires:

a GPA of 3.3 or higher in history and a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher
9 credits of Honors courses, including 6 credits in History
satisfactory completion and defense of an honors thesis

Total Credits: 120

Student Responsibility

You are responsible for satisfying the graduation requirements specified for your selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean.