History, BA

Location(s): Main Campus

The History Department curriculum explores human societies over time and across the globe. History courses provide training in historical research methods and allow students to hone skills in thinking critically, interpreting evidence, conducting independent research, and writing effectively. The program offers a balance between humanistic approaches to the study of the human experience and approaches based on the methods of the social and behavioral sciences.

Students planning to major in history should consult, as early as possible, with the departmental director of undergraduate studies or the departmental undergraduate advisor. The History Department does not require that majors specialize or concentrate in any area, period, or type of history. Some students, however, may wish to create an ad hoc concentration by taking several courses in one historical subfield, such as the history of a global region or the history of a particular time period, or by taking several courses that are thematically linked. Those who do should seek advice from the director of undergraduate studies.

Program Requirements

University General Education Requirements

All Binghamton University undergraduate students are required to fulfill this set of university-wide requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of a SUNY university undergraduate education. Please refer to the General Education page for more information.

Harpur College Requirements

All students in Harpur College must fulfill additional requirements designated by Harpur College to complement and extend the general education requirements. Please refer to the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences page for more information.

Major Requirements

Course Requirements

Students must fulfill a minimum of 40 credits for the major, as outlined below. Students must take at least six of the required 10 courses (24 credits) at the 300-level or above:

One course (4 credits) in world history or inter-regionally comparative history*
12 credits in the history of at least three distinct global regions**, chosen from this list:
- United States
- Latin America
- Europe
- Middle East
- Africa
- South and East Asia
HIST 257 History Methods & Practices
Four additional history courses (16 credits), which may include HIST 395
One 400-level History Seminar*** (4 credits)

Notes:

*Students pursuing the SUNY Transfer Path in History should take HIST 130 or 131 to satisfy this requirement

**Students pursuing the SUNY Transfer Path in History should take HIST 101 or 102 and HIST 103 or 104

***Seminar may not be taken under the Pass/Fail option and must be taken in residence

Additional Information About the Program

100-level history courses do not count toward the major when taken by students in their junior and senior years. Furthermore, no more than four 100-level courses (including no more than two numbered 101, 102, 103, or 104) may be counted toward the major.
No more than four credit hours of HIST 395 (Internship) and HIST 397 (Independent Study) may be used to satisfy the total requirements for the major.
Only one course taken under the Pass/Fail option is credited to the major. The department views a grade of D as passing but unsatisfactory. Courses passed with a grade of D do not fulfill the requirements for the major.
The department accepts up to four history courses taken at another college in fulfillment of the requirements for the major.

For more information on the History BA program, please refer to the History Department website. To apply to the History BA program, please visit the University Admissions website.