AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
Battelle 137
(202)-885-2401
history@american.edu
http://www.american.edu/history
Chair: Professor Pamela Nadell
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Eileen Findlay
GUIDE FOR UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS
The History Department has established five goals for its students.
1. Historical Literacy
Students will gain an understanding of the scope, breadth, and
richness of historical studies.
2. Critical Thinking
Students will learn to apply historical methods to critically evaluate
the record of the past and how historians and other have interpreted
it.
3. Research Skills
Students will acquire basic historical research skills, including (as
appropriate) the effective use of libraries, archives, and databases.
4. Communication Skills
Students will learn to organize and express their thoughts clearly and
coherently both in writing and orally.
5.Writing & Intellectual
Integration
Students will demonstrate their mastery of the knowledge and skills
involved in historical practice by conceptualizing and executing a
significant piece of original research.
The department requires that you take an array of courses so that you may gain an appreciation
of the geographical, chronological, and methodological diversity of the field. You will be
challenged to critically evaluate how historians have interpreted the past, as well as the evidentiary
foundation on which historical interpretations are based. You will be called upon to develop and
improve your ability to communicate their knowledge and ideas. And you will be expected to
develop strong research skills, either in the Research Seminar or, if you so elect, in the twosemester Senior Thesis in History course.
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Departmental Requirements
To obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, you must take at least 39 credit hours of history
courses (which may include JWST 205: Ancient and Medieval Jewish Civilization). At least 20 of
the 39 hours must be taken at American University; at least 18 of the 39 must be at the 300 level or
above). The courses for the major must meet the specific requirements listed below. With few
exceptions, history courses carry a value of 3 credit hours. You must receive grades of C or better
in each history course that you apply towards the history major, and you must take all such courses
for letter grade credit.
A. Distribution Requirements
The Department requires the following distribution among fields of history. Through taking
such a range of courses, the Department believes you will be exposed to a broad variety of
historical subjects in different areas and at diverse levels of complexity.
1. One course in ancient or medieval history (any area of the world, focusing on pre-modern era)
2. Two courses in Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, or African history
3. Two courses in European History
4. Two courses in U.S. history, of which one must be focused on race and/or ethnicity (choose from
HIST 208, 209, 210, 211, 305, 473, or 479)
B. HIST 399: Conversations in History
This intensive historiography or methods course is REQUIRED of all history majors and
should be taken as a student declares the major. This “gateway to the major” introduces students
to the study of historiography. Topics vary by section.
C. HIST 482: Research Seminar
After having completed HIST-399: Conversations in History, students will take a onesemester research seminar to hone the skills of primary research and interpretive historical
writing. Topics vary by section. Each section will focus on a broad theme or topic that is not
geographically limited to one area of the world. Several weeks will be devoted to common
readings. In the remaining weeks, students write a research paper related to the course theme,
using primary sources and engaging relevant historiography.
D. HIST-480 & HIST-481: Senior Thesis in History I & II
For students who prefer to have a two-semester thesis-writing experience, you may
substitute HIST-480 Senior Thesis in History I AND HIST-481 Senior Thesis in History II for
HIST-482. This is especially recommended for students planning on graduate study. Students
enrolling in the two-semester major seminar option must have an overall GPA of 3.3. Students
who fail to meet that GPA may petition the Undergraduate Committee for admission to the two-
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semester major seminar. If a student fails HIST-480 Senior Thesis in History I, they may then
substitute HIST-482 Research Seminar for this requirement.
Preparation for Advanced Courses
Advanced courses in history are rigorous and assume college-level preparation. The
Department recommends that before enrolling in a course at the 300-level or above, students
should complete a suitable introductory course or otherwise attain equivalent knowledge.
Study Abroad
The Department encourages its majors to take advantage of the university’s many studyabroad programs, normally during the junior year. In most cases, history courses taken as part of
a study-abroad program will be accepted toward the major requirements. However, keep in mind
that all majors must take at least 15 credits at the 300 and above level in residence. Be sure to
consult with your advisor to make sure that any courses you may take abroad will count toward
the major.
Transfer of Credit
A. Advanced Placement Examination Credit
Prospective history minors may qualify for advanced placement credits toward the major for
the following exams: American history, European history, and world history, provided the
student earns a grade of 4 or 5 on the AP examination. A satisfactory IB examination may count
for the major as well; entering students with academic credit for IB examinations in history
courses should consult with the department. No more than six AP and IB credits can be counted
toward the major. These courses may count as electives toward the minor, but they may not be
used to fulfill the distribution requirements.
B. Transfer Credit
Transfer students who wish to receive the Bachelor's degree with a major in history at
American University must earn at least 20 credit hours in the History Department here. The
Department will decide which, if any, history courses taken elsewhere may be used to satisfy the
requirements for the history major at American University.
Once enrolled at American University, students who wish to take courses at another university
must secure approval of these courses before taking them with a Permit to Study at Another
Institution form.
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Declaration of Major
You must declare your major online; the form can be found on the CAS Advising website. In
the process of declaring a major, you will be assigned a faculty advisor. He or she, together with
the Director of Undergraduate Studies in History and our Departmental administrators, can answer
any questions you might have and can help you work out a plan for completing the major.
Department Communication with History Majors
The Department uses AU email addresses to communicate with majors. Be sure to forward
your AU email to any other address you regularly use.
Advising and Progress toward Your Degree
You will need to meet with your faculty advisor at least once each semester to plan your
upcoming semester’s work and keep track of your progress toward fulfilling the requirements of
the history major and other degree requirements, such as those of the General Education Program.
Your DARS report will be very helpful here, and it is a good idea to bring a copy with you when
you see your advisor. Your advisor will assist you, but it is ultimately your responsibility to make
sure that you register for the courses you need to fulfill all degree requirements.
Departmental Honors
The Department’s Honors Coordinator will assign an honors advisor or provide advice. To be
eligible for University Honors in History, students must complete the requirements of the
University Honors Program, including 12 hours of honors work in history. The honors requirement
for a senior capstone experience must be fulfilled in history through the two semester course,
Senior Thesis in History. Other honors history course requirements may be fulfilled through
advanced-level honors options.
Honor Society in History
Epsilon Psi Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, an international fraternity for those excelling in
history, was established on campus in 1956. Students with 12 semester hours in history at
American University with at least a 3.2 GPA in these courses and an overall GPA over 3.0 are
eligible to join. Speak to the faculty advisors or inquire in the History Department office.
BA/MA Program in History
This program allows students to complete both the BA and MA degrees in five years of
fulltime study. Students admitted to the BA/MA program may apply up to 6 credit hours of
graduate level course work in history to both sets of degree requirements.
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Students should apply to the BA/MA program in their junior year; students admitted to the
BA/MA program are exempted from the Graduate Record Examinations required for admission to
the MA program. Students will be formally admitted to MA status only after completing all
requirements for the BA major in history with an overall GPA of 3.25 and a GPA of 3.5 in history
courses. For further information, consult the Guide to the BA/MA Program on the department's
website or consult the Director of Graduate Studies.
Consortium
The consortium includes Catholic University, George Washington University, Georgetown
University, Howard University, and seven other universities and colleges. Majors are encouraged
to take courses in the consortium on subjects not offered by the Department of History at
American University. For written permission, see the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Internship in History
Students wishing to pursue an internship for academic credit in history may do so only with
permission of the Department Chair and the Internship coordinator, Professor Daniel Kerr. Once
permission in granted, students then enroll in HIST 491 for 1-6 credits, depending on the number
of hours worked. Internships always involve an academic component (reading and writing) in
addition to work on site, and that academic work is supervised by the Internship coordinator. The
department recommends waiting until the senior year for the internship, but also recommends
beginning to plan the internship at least a year in advance.
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MAJOR REQUIREMENTS CHECK SHEET
Note: While majors should routinely consult with their advisors about course selection and progress in fulfilling
their major and General Education requirements, it is the students’ ultimate responsibility to make sure they meet
these requirements before graduation. Also, students must receive a C or better in a class for it to count towards
the major.
Requirement
HIST 399: Conversations in History
(topic varies)
One course in ancient or medieval
history (any area of the world,
focusing on pre-modern era)
Two courses in Asian, modern
Middle Eastern, Latin American, or
African history
Course # and Title
Two courses in European History
Two courses in U.S. history, of
which one must be focused on race
and/or ethnicity (choose from HIST
208, 209, 210, 211, 305, 473, or
HIST 482: Research Seminar (topic
479)
varies) OR HIST 480: Senior Thesis
in History I AND HIST 481: Senior
Thesis in History II
Additional 300 level courses, if
courses fulfilling requirements above
do not total at least 15
credit hours.
Electives to make a total of 39 credit
hours (any level)
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Grade Date Completed
PROGRAM PLANNING FOR FINAL TWO YEARS OF HISTORY MAJOR
To help you plan the final two years of your program of study, you may find it useful to sketch out
the courses you will need to take to complete the major, any second major, and any minor(s).
Fall Semester Junior Year
Spring Semester Junior Year
Fall Semester Senior Year
Spring Semester Senior Year
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