Undergraduate Course Catalog 2012-2013
University of New Hampshire at Manchester
» http://www.manchester.unh.edu
History (HIST)
» http://manchester.unh.edu/academics/degree-programs/history
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Professor: John J. Cerullo, John P. Resch
History (B.A.)
The study of history is an essential element of a liberal arts education. The history major develops both an awareness of the past, and the tools to express one’s knowledge. Study of the past gives meaning to the present, increasing understanding of the political, social, economic, and cultural forces that influence human life. The study of history may include all of human culture and society, and UNH Manchester’s history program allows great latitude in the subjects that may be studied. In fact, the interdisciplinary nature of the field makes it a natural focus for study encompassing a variety of other fields.
The student who majors in history will have the opportunity to study the breadth of human experience, and will acquire the skills in critical reading and writing that form the foundation of an educated life. Students of history learn to analyze conflicting evidence, to find cause and effect, to express themselves effectively, and to ask relevant questions. Through careful observation and evaluation of information they seek explanations for human events.
Students majoring in history must complete a minimum of 128 credits, satisfy the University’s Discovery Program and foreign language requirements, and take ten four-credit history courses or their equivalent. Students must receive at least a C in HIST 500 and HIST 797, and at least a C- in the other eight courses with an overall average in these courses of 2.0 or better.
History majors are urged to complete HIST 500 in the semester following the major declaration and HIST 797 during the senior year. A major must take at least eight additional history courses, of which a minimum of three must be at the 600 level or above. Only one 695/696 Independent Study course may be used to fulfill the 600-level requirement, and no more than two Independent Studies may be used toward the ten-course requirement. No more than two 400-level courses may be counted toward the major. The program must be planned in consultation with an adviser.
The distribution of required courses for the major is as follows:
HIST 500, Introduction to Historical Thinking
HIST 797, Colloquium in History (fulfills the Discovery Program Capstone requirement for history majors and is taken during the senior year)
An approved area of specialization: four courses numbered 500 and above centered around a nation, region, time period, or interdisciplinary theme (two of these courses may be in another program, if the student’s adviser approves)
Complementary history courses: at least three history courses from outside the area of specialization
History elective: may be a history course from either the area of specialization or from a complementary area
A particular feature of the history program at UNH Manchester is the opportunity to do internships for academic credit. These internships, which enable students to work in museums, historical societies, government agencies, archives, and in other institutional settings, may be arranged with the help of the faculty. A typical first-year program consists of at least two history courses (e.g., Introduction to Historical Thinking, Western Civilization, Historical Survey of American Civilization, etc.), First-Year English, three to five Discovery Program requirements, and/or electives.
For more information about the history program, contact John Cerullo, program coordinator, at (603) 641-4109, or e-mail jcerullo@unh.edu. Contact the UNH Manchester Office of Admissions at (603) 641-4150; e-mail unhm.admissions@unh.edu.
