Program Overview

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History Major

The History Department at Plattsburgh State University of New York is dedicated to thinking deeply and critically about the ways history shapes our world and is committed to student success.

What Will I Learn?

Expand your knowledge of Western and non-Western history in one of our survey courses. Dive into thematic courses in Adirondack history, the history of medicine, popular culture, religion, and migration. Hone your critical thinking, communication, research, and writing skills in one of our small upper-division seminars, built around intensive discussion of historical documents and competing interpretations. Conduct your own independent research as you evaluate a variety of sources for their credibility, position, and perspective.

What is Unique About Our Program?

We are not just about history. Students in our program learn the art of analytic and critical reading, and the importance of clear, concise, and compelling writing. They learn how to put people and events into context and evaluate issues from multiple perspectives. They learn how to conduct responsible, independent research using both traditional and the newest digital tools. And they learn how to make strong, effective arguments supported by empirical evidence.

What Are My Career Opportunities?

Our graduates go on to work in education, law, and politics. They make careers for themselves in public history, radio and television, journalism, editing, and grant writing. And while many stay in New York, our graduates go to work across the country and around the world.

• Teacher
• Political research and government
• Lawyer
• Research for radio, television, and digital media
• Museum curator
• Grant writing
• Librarian

History at SUNY Plattsburgh

We are committed to student success. Our energetic and talented faculty are renowned for their research, but they are, above all, teachers eager to bring their research and skills into the classroom. Small class sizes ensure that students get lots of individual attention both inside and outside the classroom to learn skills that will help them be successful in a complex and changing world.

Program Requirements for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in History

Curriculum 0710

The History Department is dedicated to thinking deeply and critically about the ways history shapes our world and is committed to student success. Our dynamic curriculum features thematic explorations of topics in environmental history, migration, popular culture, and religion, as well as regional surveys from the Renaissance to the present.

Major Departmental Requirements 43-46 Credits

Introduction to History: (1 cr.)

• HIS 185 - Introduction to History (1 cr.)

Historical Foundations: (12 cr.)

Select four courses from the following, including at least one from each of the three regional divisions (United States; Other Americas; Global and Other Continents) and at least one from each of the two chronological divisions (Early; Modern).

• United States
  • HIS 101 - Making America: Foundation to Reconstruction (3 cr.) (Early)
  • HIS 102 - Remaking America: Reconstruction to the Present (3 cr.) (Modern)
  • HIS 141 - Building America: African Americans in the United States (3 cr,) (Early)
• Other Americas
  • HIS 160 - Latin American Civilization (3 cr.) (Early or Modern)
  • HIS 171 - Canada to the 1860s (3 cr.) (Early)
  • HIS 172 - History of Canada from the 1860s (3 cr.) (Modern)
  • HIS 173 - French Communities of Canada (3 cr.) (Early or Modern)
• Global and Other Continents
  • HIS 121 - European Civilization to 1815 (3 cr.) (Early)
  • HIS 122 - The European Experience, 1789-present (3 cr.) (Modern)
  • HIS 131 - Global History to 1500 (3 cr.) (Early)
  • HIS 132 - Modern Global History (3 cr.) (Modern)
  • HIS 181 - East Asian Communities (3 cr.) (Early or Modern)

Breadth of Study: (6 cr.)

Select two courses from the following:

• ANT 102 - Contemporary Cultures (3 cr.)
• ART 137 - Western Art: Ancient and Medieval (3 cr.)
• ART 139 - Western Art: Renaissance to Modern (3 cr.)
• ECO 101 - Principles of Economics (3 cr.)
• GWS 101 - Introduction to Gender and Women's Studies (3 cr.)
• PHI 102 - Introduction to Philosophy (3 cr.)
• PSC 100 - U.S. National Politics (3 cr.)
• SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology (3 cr.)
• SOC 321 - Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (3 cr.)

Historical Depth: (15 cr.)

Select 15 credits HIS at 300/4000 level Except those used to meet other requirements.

The Historical Conversation: (3 cr.)

Select one course from the following:

• HIS 303 - History of the American Woman (3 cr.)
• HIS 314 - Civil War and Reconstruction (3 cr.)
• HIS 330 - The Cultural History of U.S. Exploration (3 cr.)
• HIS 389 - People's Republic of China (3 cr.)
• HIS 391 - Slavery in the Americas, 1492 - 1889 (3 cr.)
• HIS 432 - The Holocaust in History (3 cr.)

Historical Skills: (6-9 cr.)

• HIS 385 - Advanced Historical Practices (3 cr.) (AWR)
• HIS 485 - Senior Project: Topic (3 cr.)

Cognate Requirements 12 Credits

At least 12 credits must be from courses that are not taken to satisfy the Department Requirements, including "III. Breadth of Study" area. At least 6 credits should be upper level. Select one of the following options:

• Any college-approved major or minor
• Study Abroad - 12 credits
• World Language Study - 12 credits
• Area Studies/Theme: 12 credits by advisement

Additional Degree Requirements

1. Completion of all Undergraduate Degree Requirements, including General Education: The Cardinal Core Curriculum, elective courses if applicable, and a total of 120 credits minimum.
2. A minimum GPA of 2.0 in Major Departmental Requirements.
3. All courses satisfying requirements for the major must be completed at a grade of C (2.0) or better.
4. At least 12 credits of the Cognate Requirements must be courses that are not taken to satisfy the Departmental Requirements.

Internships

The History Department provides numerous internship opportunities for students. To be eligible for an internship, a student must have a GPA of 3.0 or better, and be willing to work independently off campus. Applications should be submitted before the academic semester in which the internship is expected to begin.

Internship Profiles

Steffaney Wilcox at Adirondack Museum

I was an intern for the Adirondack Museum during the summer of 2016. I worked within the Education Department, talking with visitors about various exhibits on logging, hunting, fishing, boating, and many other aspects of living in the Adirondacks.

Jackie Mead at Montpelier

I recently started an archaeology internship at James Madisons Montpelier. Montpelier is the Virginia home of the fourth president of the United States, and includes a mansion and miles of surrounding grounds.

Samantha Johnson in Sherbrooke

I was an archival intern at the Eastern Townships Resource Centre (ETRC) in Sherbrooke, Quebec for six weeks. My tasks consisted of processing incoming materials, transcribing 19th-century letters, updating the ETRC Facebook page, and helping prepare for a photography exhibition.

Additional Degrees in History

• History Adolescence Education Combined B.A./M.S.T.
• History Minor