Introduction | Four Year Plan | Undergraduate Courses

THE UNDERGRADUATE HANDBOOK OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO

Department of History (mc/198)
913 University Hall
601 South Morgan Street
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, IL 60660
Phone: (312) 996-3141

History is the study of the human past. It is both a subject matter and a way of thinking—a discipline. No people, no time, no place is neglected in the investigation of the human community’s historical record. And no method is alien to the historian’s quest for understanding. The historian’s interests embrace the permanent and changing concerns of our civilization: the individual and society; the emergence of nations; the rise and fall of empires; race and ethnicity; class, gender, and status; war and revolution; science and technology; slavery and emancipation; dictatorship and democracy; rural life and urbanization; the struggle for empowerment waged by minorities, women, and workers; the life of the mind; religion; and culture. Because every succeeding generation has new questions to ask of the past, history is constantly being rewritten. The discipline of history rests on the finding, evaluating, and ordering of evidence. It sharpens critical reading and writing skills and gives students practice in the use of these basic tools of modern life. The study of history is excellent preparation for jobs in a wide variety of fields, including business, journalism, government, information science, museums, and the law


HISTORY MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

As of Fall Semester 2001 the History Major shall consist of 33 hours (formerly 30), distributed as follows:

Major in History for the Bachelor of Arts: 33 semester hours

History Majors, in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, shall define a field of concentration consisting of at least 12 credit hours (4 courses) beyond the 100-level.

Minor: 15 semester hours, with no more than 6 hours at the 100-level.

Advising: History majors are required to consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies at least once each year. Call [312 413-9356] or e-mail rslevy@uic.edu for office hours; walk-ins or appointments are both acceptable.

Departmental Distinction

The department offers the following two options:

1.Students who earn a 3.50 all-university grade point average and 3.75 gpa in all courses taken in the Department of History at UIC will be awarded departmental distinction. [A=4.0]

2. Students who earn a 3.4 all-university gpa and a 3.6 gpa in all courses taken in the Department of History at UIC may choose to complete an honors thesis while enrolled in History 398. To qualify for honors, the student must earn at least a grade of B in History 398. [A=4.0]

University GPA Requirements:

All candidates for a degree must have at least a 2.0 (A=4.0) grade point average in all work taken at the University of Illinois at Chicago, in all work taken in the major field, and in all work accepted by the University (transfer work plus work taken at UIC).

Independent Study

History 399 is given at the discretion of the faculty. Consent of the instructor is required. To be eligible for History 399, students must have a university GPA of 2.8 (A=4.0). A maximum of 8 semester hours of independent study will be credited toward the major. (History 399 is not designed to be a scheduling convenience for students; it allows for in-depth investigation of topics not found in regularly taught courses.)

Major in History for the Bachelor of Arts in the Teaching of History:

Requirements for the BAT are now considerably different than those for the BA. Students should be aware that transferring from one program to the other may involve additional course work.

Contact the advisor in the BAT program for specific details:

Robert Johnston
Director of the University of Illinois at Chicago's Teaching of History Program
Department of History (M/C 198)
913 University Hall
University of Illinois at Chicago
601 South Morgan Street
Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (312) 413-9164
Fax: (312) 996-6377
Email: johnsto1@uic.edu

Julie L. Peters
Associate Director of the Teaching of History Program
Department of History (M/C 198)
926 University Hall
University of Illinois at Chicago
601 South Morgan Street
Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: 312-413-9163
Fax: 312-996-6377
Email : jlpeters@uic.edu

First Year
Fall Semester		Spring Semester
Engl 160	3 hours	Engl 161	3 hours
Quantitative Reasoning	3-5 hours	Hist 1xx 1	3 hours
Foreign Language	4 hours	Foreign Language	4 hours
General Education Requirement Course	4-5 hours	General Education Requirement Course	3 hours
		General Education Requirement Course	3-4 hours
Total	14-17 hours	Total	16-17 hours
Second Year
Fall Semester		Spring Semester
Hist 1xx 1	3 hours	Hist 300	3 hours
Hist 2xx	3 hours	Foreign Language	4 hours
Foreign Language	4 hours	General Education Requirement Course	3 hours
General Education Requirement Course	3-5 hours	General Education Requirement Course	3 hours
General Education Requirement Course	0-3 hours	General Education Requirement Course	3-4 hours
Total	15-18 hours	Total	16-17 hours
Third Year
Fall Semester		Spring Semester
Hist 2xx	3 hours	Hist 4xx	3 hours
Hist 4xx	3 hours	General Education Requirement Course	3-5 hours
General Education Requirement Course	0-5 hours	Electives	7-9 hours
Electives	4-12 hours
Total	15 hours	Total	15 hours
Fourth Year
Fall Semester		Spring Semester
Hist 2xx	3 hours	Hist 4xx 2	3 hours
Hist 4xx	3 hours	Electives	9 hours
Electives	9 hours	Hist at any level	3 hours
Total	15 hours	Total	15 hours

1. History 100, 101, 103, 104, 109, 110, 114, 141, 161, 177 are recommended.

2. Recommended completion of required research paper based on primary sources.

Note : Major distribution requirements may be fulfilled at any level,

•  at least 6 semester hours must be taken in African, Asian, Latin American, or Middle Eastern history,

•  at least 6 semester hours must be taken in ancient, medieval or modern European history,

•  at least 6 semester hours must be taken in U. S. history.

Note : Students majoring in history must consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies at least once a year.

Note : Students must earn at least 40 hours at the 200, 300, or 400 level at a 4-year college or university. These hours may include hours in the major.

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