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 MINORS
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 also be
challenged to critically evaluate how historians have interpreted the past, as well as the evidentiary
foundation on which historical interpretations are based. Finally, you will be called upon to
develop and improve your ability to communicate their knowledge and ideas.
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Minor Requirements
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21 credit hours with grades of C or better and with at least 12 credit hours unique to the
minor
At least 12 of the 21 credit hours in history must be taken in residence.
12 of the 21 credit hours must be at the 300-level or above, and all 300-level courses be taken in
residence.
Course Requirements
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One course in European history
One course in U.S. history
One course in Ancient or Medieval history (any area of the world, focusing on pre-modern era)
One course in Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, or African history
Three more courses in history for a total of 21 credit hours
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 minors 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 minor requirements. However, keep in mind
that all minors must take all credits at the 300-level and above in residence. Be sure to consult
with your advisor to make sure that any courses you may take abroad will count toward the
minor.
Transfer of Credit
A. Advanced Placement Examination Credit
Prospective history minors may qualify for advanced placement (AP) credits toward the minor
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 International
Baccalaureate ( IB) examination may count for the minor 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 minor. These courses may count as
electives toward the minor, but they may not be used to fulfill the distribution requirements.
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B. Transfer Credit
No more than 9 hours of transfer credit may be applied toward satisfying the history minor
requirement. None of these transfer hours may be applied to the 12 hours required at the 300-level.
Declaration of Minor
You must declare your minor online; the form can be found on the CAS Advising website. In
the process of declaring a minor, you will need to meet with the Director of Undergraduate
Studies, who can answer any questions you might have and can help you work out a plan for
completing the minor.
Department Communication with History Minors
The Department uses AU email addresses to communicate with minors. 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 a 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 minor 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.
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Consortium
The consortium includes Catholic University, George Washington University, Georgetown
University, Howard University, and seven other universities and colleges. Minors 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. 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.
MINOR REQUIREMENTS CHECK SHEET
Note: While minors should routinely consult with their advisors about course selection and progress in fulfilling their major, minor,
and General Education requirements, it is the students’ ultimate responsibility to make sure they meet these requirements before
graduation. Students must complete 21 credits with at least 12 credits taken in residence and 12 credits at the 300 level or above. A
grade of C or better is required for a class to count towards the minor.
Requirement
One course in European history
Course # and Title
One course in U.S. history
One course in Ancient or Medieval
history (any area of the world,
focusing on pre-modern era)
One course in Asian, Middle
Eastern, Latin American, or African
Three more courses in history
history
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Grade Date Completed
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