Program Overview

Introduction to the History/Social Studies Major

The History/Social Studies major is designed to prepare students to teach history and social studies in secondary schools. In their history courses, History/Social Studies majors learn how to locate and access a wide range of sources, to analyze historical evidence, including textual and visual sources, to evaluate historical interpretations, and to develop and support their own interpretations. The emphasis on writing and discussion required in history courses also helps students to develop effective communication skills. The required courses in economics, geography, and political science are intended to prepare students to teach these subjects in middle and high schools.

Why Consider a History/Social Studies Major?

If you want to teach history or social studies in a middle or high school, you should consider the History/Social Studies major. However, this major also prepares students for a wider range of careers. The knowledge and skills that students acquire in their history and social sciences courses prepare them for law school, graduate programs in public policy and international affairs, and careers as journalists, government officials, and attorneys.

Student Resources

• Department website: History
• Department advising: Admitted and/or current students visit the Advising section of the History website.
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample careers:
  • Social Studies Teacher
  • Politician/Attorney
  • Teacher
  • Government Official
  • Law Enforcement Officer
  • Historical Consultant
  • Museum Professional
  • Government Historian
  • Librarian
  • Archivist
  • Cultural Resource Manager
  • Curator
  • Video/Media Producer
  • Historic Preservationist
  • Policy Advisor

How to Declare the Major

There are no prerequisites for declaring a major in History/Social Studies. Students who have earned Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credit in history should not take the equivalent courses at Western. It is recommended that students who are considering a major in History take at least three lower-division History courses (including transfer courses) during their first year.

It is recommended that students contact a faculty advisor in the department as soon as they wish to declare a major in History. Please see the department website for further details.

Grade Requirements

No course with a grade of less than C (2.0) may be counted in this major. Students must achieve a GPA of at least 2.5 in the courses counted in the major. Courses required for a state teaching endorsement must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Requirements for the History/Social Studies Major

The major requires 95 credits.

History Courses (65 credits)

• 2 courses (10 credits) in the history of the United States. One course must focus on the period before 1865 and the other must focus on the period since 1865.
• 2 courses (10 credits) with an emphasis on the CE period. One course must focus on Europe and the other course must focus on East Asia, South Asia, Africa, and/or the Middle East.
• 2 courses (10 credits) with an emphasis on the period since 1450 CE. One course must focus on Europe, and the other course must focus on East Asia, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Canada, and/or Latin America.
• 2 courses (10 credits) in the history of the ancient world (prior to 600 CE), covering two different continents.
• Additional elective HIST courses to reach the 65-credit history courses requirement.
• HIST 391 - History of the Pacific Northwest (5 credits)
• or HIST 392 - Tribal Sovereignty and Washington History (5 credits)
• HIST 301 - Doing History (5 credits)
• HIST 499 - Historical Research (5 credits)
  • Notes:
    • At least 35 of the 65 history credits must be in upper division (300-400 level) courses, including HIST 301, HIST 391 or HIST 392, HIST 499, and at least one additional 400-level course.
    • Up to 10 Honors credits under advisement may be included in these fields or as electives.

Social Studies (30 credits minimum)

• ENVS 204 - Human Geography (4 credits)
• One course from:
  • PLSC 101 - Government and Politics in the Modern World (5 credits)
  • PLSC 261 - Introduction to Political Theory (5 credits)
  • PLSC 271 - Introduction to International Relations (5 credits)
  • PLSC 291 - Introduction to Comparative Politics (5 credits)
• PLSC 250 - The American Political System (5 credits)
• One course from:
  • ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics (4 credits)
  • ECON 446 - Economics for the Teacher (3 credits) (preferred)
• One course from:
  • ECON 207 - Introduction to Macroeconomics (4 credits)
  • ECON 447 - Methods for Teaching About the National Economy in the Public Schools (3 credits) (preferred)
• Additional social studies elective credits in any of the above disciplines or anthropology, sociology or psychology to reach the 30-credit social studies courses minimum.

Additional Information

To assure that competency requirements have been met, students should consult the department’s approved list for courses for periods and geographical regions.

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement