Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in History provides a well-rounded educational experience in which students have the independence and flexibility to explore and develop their individual interests while getting a solid grounding in different approaches to historical research, writing and analysis. The study of history offers insight into the complexity of the human experience by exploring the political, cultural, social, economic and environmental factors that have shaped the past and the present. The study of  history also offers training in a range of skills including how to find, evaluate, manage and synthesize multiple sources of information; how to think critically and analyze complex evidence; how to undertake independent research and manage time effectively; how to develop and present reasoned arguments supported by evidence; how to present information and arguments effectively in writing; and how to develop and deliver effective oral presentations. The skills and experiences gained through the study of history provide preparation for a variety of career tracks.

The History major is comprised of several elements. Lower-Division History Electives provide history majors with an overview of the major themes and developments in World history from human origins to the present and in the history of the United States from pre-colonization to the present. The required Historical Research Methods course introduces students to the main tools and techniques of doing history while providing them with the opportunity to develop and refine the skills of historical research, writing, and analysis to do well in their upper-division coursework. The History major also includes distribution requirements in two categories of upper-division courses. Area Studies Electives are a group of upper­ division history courses in which the history of a place (state, nation, or region) is the primary focus of the courses. Thematic Studies Electives are a group of upper-division history courses in which a specific topic or theme is the primary focus of the courses while the place and time period are secondary. The required Senior Seminar in History course is a capstone experience in which students develop, design, and execute their own original historical research project that utilizes primary sources and engages with current historical scholarship. Majors are also encouraged to do an internship in history for course credit to gain job experience and further strengthen their profile for their career after graduation.

Fully Offered At:

• Kent Campus
• Stark Campus

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Freshman Students on the Kent Campus: The freshman admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon the following: cumulative grade point average, ACT and/or SAT scores, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. The Admissions Office at the Kent Campus may defer the admission of students who do not meet admissions criteria but who demonstrate areas of promise for successful college study. Deferred applicants may begin their college coursework at one of seven regional campuses of Kent State University. For more information on admissions, including additional requirements for some academic programs, visit the admissions website for new freshmen.

Freshman Students on the Regional Campuses: Kent State campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Regional Academic Center in Twinsburg, have open enrollment admission for students who hold a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.

English Language Proficiency Requirements for International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE score, or by completing the ESL level 112 Intensive Program. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.

Transfer, Transitioning and Former Students: For more information about admission criteria for transfer, transitioning and former students, please visit the admissions website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Understand and apply a variety of basic historical methods.
2. Find, use, and analyze historical evidence and communicate their findings in an effective manner.
3. Obtain historical content knowledge and understand the connectedness of historical events and the wide varieties of human experiences.
4. Understand history as a discipline based on interpretation with historical questions constantly being reframed and investigated.