Program Overview

History, B.A.

The undergraduate program in History is designed to develop critical intelligence and to foster an awareness of ourselves and our world through the study of the past. The Department presents a variety of approaches to history, and each emphasizes basic disciplinary skills: weighing evidence, constructing logical arguments, and exploring the role of theory in historical analysis and human action.

Overview of the Program

Upper-division courses range from the examination of individual nation-states (e.g., Chinese history), to studies of the relations among nation-states (e.g., Emergence of the Modern Middle East), to historical analyses of political, socio-economic, and cultural factors (e.g., Women in the United States). Students are also provided the opportunity for small-group learning experiences through colloquia. The colloquia are conducted as discussion groups, involve close reading and analysis of primary and secondary texts, and require writing.

Departmental Requirements for the Major

• 12 courses (48 units) are required for the major.
  • A. Select two of the following:
    • HISTORY 70A | Problems in History: Asia
    • HISTORY 70B | Problems in History: Europe
    • HISTORY 70C | Problems in History: United States
    • HISTORY 70D | Problems in History: Latin America
    • HISTORY 70E | Problems in History: Middle East and Africa
    • HISTORY 70F | Problems in History: Transregional History
  • B. Two additional lower-division History courses
  • C. Four upper-division History courses
  • D. Complete the following:
    • HISTORY 100W | Writing About History
    • HISTORY 190 | Colloquium
  • E. Two additional lower- or upper-division History courses
  • F. At least one of the twelve required courses must be devoted to the period prior to 1800.

Residence Requirement for the History Major

One course from the History 70 series, HISTORY 100W, HISTORY 190, and three upper-division History courses must be completed successfully at UCI. By petition, two of the six may be taken through the UC Education Abroad Program, provided that course content is approved in advance by the Chair of the History Undergraduate Program Committee.

Specialization in History for Future Teachers

The Specialization in History for Future Teachers is designed to prepare history majors who aspire to earn a post-baccalaureate teaching credential. Through specific history course requirements, courses in the School of Education, and a field work requirement, students will be well positioned for admission to teaching credential programs.

Requirements for the Specialization

• 14 courses (56 units) plus relevant fieldwork experience are required for the major.
• A. Select one of the following series:
  • HISTORY 21A- 21B- 21C | World: Innovations and World: Empires and Revolutions and World: Nation, War, and Rights
  • or
  • HISTORY 40A- 40B- 40C | Colonial America: New Worlds and Nineteenth-Century U.S.: Crisis and Expansion and Modern America: Culture and Power
• B. Complete the following:
  • HISTORY 70C | Problems in History: United States
  • HISTORY 100W | Writing About History
  • HISTORY 190 | Colloquium
• C. Select two courses from the following:
  • HISTORY 70A | Problems in History: Asia
  • HISTORY 70B | Problems in History: Europe
  • HISTORY 70D | Problems in History: Latin America
  • HISTORY 70E | Problems in History: Middle East and Africa
  • HISTORY 70F | Problems in History: Transregional History
• D. Select one course in California History.
  • HISTORY 142A | California Dreaming: Conquest, Conflict, and Globalization in the Golden State
  • HISTORY 151B | Chicana/Chicano History: Twentieth Century
• E. Two upper-division U.S. History courses.
• F. Two upper-division non-U.S. History courses.
• G. Select one course from the School of Education.
  • EDUC 108 | Adolescent Development and Education
  • EDUC 124 | Multicultural Education in K-12 Schools
  • EDUC 128 | Exceptional Learners
  • EDUC 131 | Educational Technology
  • EDUC 173 | Cognition and Learning in Educational Settings
• H. Complete at least two units of field work from EDUC 100 or other relevant experience with prior departmental approval.

Residence Requirement for the History Major with a Specialization in History for Future Teachers

HISTORY 70C, HISTORY 100W, HISTORY 190, and three upper-division History courses must be completed successfully at UCI. By petition, two of the six may be taken through the UC Education Abroad Program, provided that course content is approved in advance by the Chair of the History Undergraduate Program Committee.

Career Opportunities

The training and discipline derived from historical studies provide a valuable experience for all educated persons seeking to understand themselves and their world. Many students who complete undergraduate degrees in the Department of History go on to graduate school in a variety of fields, including history, law, business, international relations, and education.

Study Abroad

The department strongly encourages majors and minors to take advantage of the Universitys study abroad programs and to experience a different culture, for a quarter or longer, while making progress toward their UCI degree. Moreover, students who are particularly interested in the history of a specific country or region would greatly benefit from direct study and cultural interaction within that country or region.