2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]


Apply Now

History (B.A./B.S.)

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus



Program Coordinator/Contact

Charles Vollan, Associate Professor of History
School of American and Global Studies
West Hall Room 119, Box 510
605-688-5101

Program Information

The history curriculum is adaptable to personal interests and needs, allowing students to explore the past and make connections to the present.  The Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree in history prepares students for careers in various professional occupations, law, journalism, teaching, business, public service, library sciences, international work, historical research, and provides a necessary background for graduate work or other specialized training.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students with a major in History will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the most important historical events in U.S. History, including an in-depth study of issues facing minorities within the U.S.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the most important historical events beyond the United States.
  • Interpret the past in context; contextualize the past on its own terms.
  • Develop a disciplined, skeptical stand and outlook on the world that demands evidence and a sophisticated use of information. This includes recognizing the difference between strong and weak arguments based on evidence, seeking use of proper citations and peer review in other works.
  • Demonstrate an awareness that knowledge is often incomplete or imperfect, and thus multiple alternatives must be considered and conclusions are subject to change.
  • Know the difference between primary and secondary documents, demonstrate how and when to cite in the format of the profession.
  • Identify and summarize the historical arguments of other scholars.
  • Frame a historical question and develop research strategies to address it, generate historical argument that is reasoned and based on evidence selected, arranged and analyzed.
  • Effectively navigate the library and online databases, as well as the archives or in the community for primary sources, peer-reviewed literature and book reviews.

Academic Requirements

No grade below a “C” in history courses and no more than 6 credits in HIST 491 - Independent Study (COM)  and HIST 494 - Internship (COM)  may be counted toward the major or minor.

Course Delivery Format

The program provides courses online and face to face on campus and at various off-campus attendance centers.

Requirements for History Major: 120 Credits


Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements


College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements


  • One declared minor outside of the major discipline OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or school or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department or school. The minor can be in a different college. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment.
  • Capstone course in the major discipline
  • Upper division coursework Credits: 33

Bachelor of Arts Requirements: 9+

Bachelor of Science Requirements: 13+

System General Education and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences  for additional information about Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science specifications.

Upper-Level Elective Requirements


Select 6 credits of 300-400 level U.S. History, 6 credits of 300-400 level World History, and 6 additional credits of 300-400 level History from the US or World History Electives list. Credits: 18

**Approved internship credits (HIST 494) taken in another country or focused on a World History (non-US) subject will count as upper-level World History Elective credits; approved internship credits taken in the US and focused on US history will count as upper-level US History Elective credits.

A maximum of 6 credits from a non-History prefix will be accepted towards the upper-level elective requirements.

Electives


Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120


Summary of Program Requirements


Bachelor of Arts

System General Education Requirements 30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements* 9+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements 36 Credit Hours
Electives** 45 Credit Hours

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements 30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements* 13+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements 36 Credit Hours
Electives** 47 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.  
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet


The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.