Undergraduate Course Catalog 2008-2009
University of New Hampshire at Manchester
» http://www.unhm.unh.edu
History
» http://www.unhm.unh.edu/programs/history/index.html
Professor: John J. Cerullo, Robert L. Macieski, John P. Resch
Lecturer: Richard M Brabander, Jeffrey A. Fortin
The study of history is an essential element of a liberal education. The history major provides both an awareness of the past, and the tools to evaluate and express one’s knowledge. Study of the past gives meaning to the present. It increases our understanding of the political, social, economic, and cultural forces that influence our lives. The study of history may include all of human culture and society and provides tremendous latitude in the subjects which may be studied. The interdisciplinary nature of the field makes it a natural focus for study which may encompass 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 which form the foundation of the 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 ten 4-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. In addition, a major must take at least 8 courses of which a minimum of 3 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 2 independent studies may be used toward the ten-course requirement. General education courses offered by the department may be counted for major credit or for general education credit, but not for both. 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;
approved area of specialization;
4 courses numbered 500 and above centered around a nation, region, time period or interdisciplinary theme;
two of these courses may be taken in another department with the approval of the student’s adviser;
complimentary history courses—at least three history courses from outside the area of specialization;
history elective may be a history course from the area of specialization or complementary area;
HIST 797, Colloquium in History.
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 freshman program consists of at least two history courses (Introduction to Historical Thinking, Western Civilization, Historical Survey of American Civilization); Freshman English; three to five general education requirements; and electives.
For more information about the history program, contact John Resch, program coordinator, at (603) 641-4134, or e-mail jpr@cisunix.unh.edu. Contact the UNH Manchester Office of Admissions at (603) 641-4150; e-mail unhm.admissions@ unh.edu.
