History - B.A.
Department of History
305 Bowman Hall
Kent Campus
330-672-2882
history@kent.edu
www.kent.edu/history
Description
The Bachelor of Arts degree in History appeals to individuals seeking both a well-rounded educational experience and intellectual independence. The study of history—through the emphasis on research, examination, interpretation and reflection—offers thorough training in a range of skills.
Those skills include the ability to read extensively and critically; the capability to apprehend, evaluate and analyze complex evidence, arguments and opinions; the know-how to develop and present a carefully informed, reasoned and crafted argument; confident and clear oral communication skills; and the capacity to undertake independent work and manage time effectively.
The History major comprises the following concentrations:
- The European History concentration affords students the opportunity to study chronological and topical courses on the history of Western and Eastern Europe. Chronologically defined courses cover the full run of the civilization's history from the medieval period through recent decades. Topical courses address such areas as cultural, diplomatic, women's and military history, as well as race and gender. Students selecting this concentration can develop a chronological or topical specialization or select a broad array of courses.
- The Global History concentration provides courses on the history and culture of societies outside Europe and the United States. Geographically, students can study the histories of Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Topical courses will address issues important to these regions, including race, gender, modernity, class, empire, colonialism and post-colonialism. Students selecting this concentration should consider developing a thematic or regional specialization.
- The Pre-1800 History concentration affords students the opportunity to think about and explore developments in societies and cultures worldwide before the advent of modernity. Chronologically, the courses in this concentration focus primarily on the medieval and early modern periods up to and including the French Revolution. Geographically, courses are offered in U.S. history, European history and global history, and include a topical focus on culture, society, religion, science and politics. Students selecting this concentration may choose to focus the majority of their courses on a particular region of the world or a particular period in history before the 19th century.
- The United States History concentration affords students the opportunity to study the chronological and topical totality of the American experience. Chronologically, defined courses cover the full run of the nation's history, from European exploration and colonization through recent decades. Topical courses address such areas as cultural, diplomatic, women's and military history, as well as race and gender. Students selecting this concentration can develop a chronological or topical specialization or select a broad array of courses.
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:
- Develop the ability to understand and apply a variety of basic historical methods.
- Develop and apply the skills to conduct original historical research. Students will learn to find, use, and analyze historical evidence and communicate their findings in an effective manner.
- Obtain historical content knowledge and understand the connectedness of historical events and the wide varieties of human experiences.
- Understand history as a discipline based on interpretation with historical questions constantly being reframed and investigated.
University Requirements
All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.
NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.
Requirement | Credits/Courses |
---|---|
Destination Kent State: First Year Experience | 1 |
Course is not required for students with 25 transfer credits, excluding College Credit Plus, or age 21+ at time of admission. | |
Diversity Domestic/Global (DIVD/DIVG) | 2 courses |
Students must successfully complete one domestic and one global course, of which one must be from the Kent Core. | |
Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR) | varies |
Students must successfully complete one course or approved experience. | |
Kent Core (see table below) | 36-37 |
Writing-Intensive Course (WIC) | 1 course |
Students must earn a minimum C grade in the course. | |
Upper-Division Requirement | 39 (or 42) |
Students must successfully complete 39 upper-division (numbered 30000 to 49999) credit hours to graduate. Students in a B.A. and/or B.S. degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete 42 upper-division credit hours. | |
Total Credit Hour Requirement | 120 |
Some bachelor's degrees require students to complete more than 120 credit hours. |
Kent Core Requirements
Requirement | Credits/Courses |
---|---|
Kent Core Composition (KCMP) | 6 |
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning (KMCR) | 3 |
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (KHUM/KFA) (min one course each) | 9 |
Kent Core Social Sciences (KSS) (must be from two disciplines) | 6 |
Kent Core Basic Sciences (KBS/KLAB) (must include one laboratory) | 6-7 |
Kent Core Additional (KADL) | 6 |
Total Credit Hours: | 36-37 |
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
HIST 32050 | HISTORICAL RESEARCH METHODS | 3 |
HIST 49091 | SENIOR SEMINAR IN HISTORY (ELR) (WIC) 1 | 3 |
World and American History Electives, choose from the following: | 9 | |
WORLD HISTORY: ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL (DIVG) (KHUM) | ||
WORLD HISTORY: MODERN (DIVG) (KHUM) | ||
EARLY AMERICA: FROM PRE-COLONIZATION TO CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION (DIVD) (KHUM) | ||
MODERN AMERICA: FROM INDUSTRIALIZATION TO GLOBALIZATION (DIVD) (KHUM) | ||
European History Concentration Elective | 3 | |
Global History Concentration Elective | 3 | |
Pre-1800 History Concentration Elective | 3 | |
United States History Concentration Elective | 3 | |
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) | ||
UC 10097 | DESTINATION KENT STATE: FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE | 1 |
Foreign Language (see Foreign Language College Requirement below) | 14-16 | |
College General Requirement (must be from Kent Core Basic Sciences) 2 | 3 | |
College General Requirement (must be from Kent Core Social Sciences) 3 | 3 | |
Kent Core Composition | 6 | |
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning | 3 | |
Kent Core Fine Arts | 3 | |
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) | 6 | |
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory) | 6-7 | |
Kent Core Additional | 3 | |
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 42 upper-division credit hours) | 36 | |
Concentrations | ||
Choose from the following: | 9 | |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 120 |
1 | A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement. |
2 | One additional course taken from the Kent Core Basic Science courses in the following Arts and Sciences disciplines: Anthropology (ANTH), Biological Sciences (BSCI), Chemistry (CHEM), Geography (GEOG), Geology (GEOL) or Physics (PHY). The course may not be from the student's major. |
3 | One additional course taken from the Kent Core Social Sciences courses in the following Arts and Sciences disciplines: Anthropology (ANTH), Applied Conflict Management (CACM), Geography (GEOG), Criminology and Justice Studies (CRIM), Political Science (POL), Psychology (PSYC) or Sociology (SOC). The course may not be from the student's major. |
European History Concentration Requirements
[BA-HIST-EHST]
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
Concentration Electives, choose from the following: | 9 | |
WORLD WAR II | ||
HISTORY OF ENGLAND TO 1688 | ||
ENGLAND SINCE 1688 | ||
NATO:THE ENDURING ALLIANCE | ||
THE PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC REFORMATIONS | ||
SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY EUROPE | ||
WITCHES AND EUROPEAN HISTORY, 1500-1800 | ||
HISTORY AND SOCIETY OF MODERN GREECE | ||
HISTORY OF MODERN FRANCE | ||
MODERN EUROPE, 1815 TO PRESENT | ||
EUROPE IN THE RENAISSANCE | ||
FOUNDATIONS IN THE HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE | ||
THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION | ||
MEDICINE IN THE MODERN WORLD SINCE 1500 | ||
SPECIAL TOPICS IN EUROPE SINCE 1500 | ||
NINETEENTH-CENTURY EUROPE | ||
MODERN EUROPEAN HISTORY, 1914-1945 | ||
MODERN EUROPEAN HISTORY:1945-PRESENT | ||
CONSUMPTION AND MASS CULTURE IN MODERN EUROPE | ||
WOMEN AND GENDER IN MODERN EUROPE | ||
HISTORY OF GERMANY, 1871-PRESENT | ||
IMPERIAL RUSSIA, 1689-1917 | ||
MODERN RUSSIA, 1917-PRESENT | ||
POLITICS, CULTURE AND SOCIETY OF 20TH-CENTURY EUROPE | ||
COMPARATIVE FASCISM | ||
THE HOLOCAUST:THE DESTRUCTION OF EUROPEAN JEWRY, 1938-1945 | ||
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND NAPOLEON | ||
COLLOQUIUM:WOMEN IN MODERN EUROPE (DIVG) (WIC) | ||
COLLOQUIUM ON VICTORIAN ENGLAND (WIC) | ||
SPECIAL TOPICS: EUROPE SINCE 1500 | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Global History Concentration Requirements
[BA-HIST-GHST]
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
Concentration Electives, choose from the following: | 9 | |
THE GLOBAL COLD WAR | ||
CHINESE CIVILIZATION | ||
HISTORY OF JAPAN | ||
TRADITION AND REVOLUTION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA | ||
INDIA SINCE 1526 | ||
VIETNAM WAR | ||
THE SIXTIES: A THIRD WORLD VIEW | ||
COMPARATIVE THIRD WORLD REVOLUTIONS | ||
HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY AFRICA | ||
HIGHLIFE HISTORIES: MODERN AFRICAN URBAN EXPERIENCE | ||
HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST | ||
ANCIENT AND EARLY MEDIEVAL JEWISH HISTORY | ||
LATE MEDIEVAL AND MODERN JEWISH HISTORY | ||
HISTORY OF AFRICAN CIVILIZATION | ||
MODERN LATIN AMERICA (DIVG) | ||
EARLY LATIN AMERICA | ||
SPECIAL TOPICS IN GLOBAL HISTORY | ||
HISTORY OF MODERN CHINA | ||
HISTORY OF AFRICA, 1880-PRESENT | ||
AFRO-LATIN AMERICA | ||
COLLOQUIUM:CHINA AND JAPAN (WIC) | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Pre-1800 History Concentration Requirements
[BA-HIST-PRST]
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
Concentration Electives, choose from the following: | 9 | |
HISTORY OF ENGLAND TO 1688 | ||
THE PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC REFORMATIONS | ||
SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY EUROPE | ||
WITCHES AND EUROPEAN HISTORY, 1500-1800 | ||
EUROPE IN THE RENAISSANCE | ||
WAR AND SOCIETY IN THE UNITED STATES FROM 1607 THROUGH 1865 | ||
ANCIENT AND EARLY MEDIEVAL JEWISH HISTORY | ||
EARLY LATIN AMERICA | ||
THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION | ||
MEDICINE IN THE MODERN WORLD SINCE 1500 | ||
SPECIAL TOPICS IN PRE-1800 HISTORY | ||
ROMAN HISTORY | ||
THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES | ||
THE HIGH MIDDLE AGES | ||
HISTORY OF COLONIAL AMERICA:1492-1714 (DIVD) | ||
EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY AMERICA:1714-1789 (DIVD) | ||
COLLOQUIUM:MEDIEVAL RUSSIA | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
United States History Concentration Requirements
[BA-HIST-UHST]
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
Concentration Electives, choose from the following: | 9 | |
AMERICAN HISTORY THROUGH POPULAR MUSIC | ||
HISTORY OF OHIO | ||
US FOREIGN RELATIONS THROUGH 1898 | ||
US FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1898-1945 | ||
US FOREIGN RELATIONS SINCE 1945 | ||
HISTORY OF ESPIONAGE: FROM JOSHUA TO ERIC SNOWDEN | ||
HISTORY OF WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES | ||
HISTORY OF SEXUALITY IN THE UNITED STATES | ||
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY: SLAVERY TO FREEDOM | ||
SECTIONAL CONFLICT AND CIVIL WAR | ||
RECONSTRUCTION AND THE LATER SOUTH | ||
WAR AND SOCIETY IN THE UNITED STATES FROM 1607 THROUGH 1865 | ||
WAR AND SOCIETY IN THE UNITED STATES FROM 1865 TO THE PRESENT | ||
MIGRATIONS TO AMERICA, 1607 TO PRESENT | ||
PROGRESSIVE AMERICA: THE UNITED STATES, 1896-1919 | ||
NEW ERA THROUGH WORLD WAR: THE UNITED STATES, 1920-1945 | ||
RECENT AMERICA: THE UNITED STATES, 1945-PRESENT | ||
SPECIAL TOPICS IN UNITED STATES HISTORY | ||
AMERICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE:THE ARTS AND SOCIETY | ||
INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HISTORY | ||
HISTORY OF COLONIAL AMERICA:1492-1714 (DIVD) | ||
EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY AMERICA:1714-1789 (DIVD) | ||
JEFFERSON-JACKSON ERA, 1789-1848 | ||
THE UNITED STATES:THE WESTWARD MOVEMENT | ||
AMERICAN SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL HISTORY, 1876-PRESENT (DIVD) | ||
THE GREAT DEPRESSION IN AMERICA | ||
THE SIXTIES IN AMERICA | ||
COLLOQUIUM:U.S. MIDDLE PERIOD, 1820-1900 (WIC) | ||
COLLOQUIUM IN AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY SINCE 1877 | ||
SPECIAL TOPICS IN UNITED STATES HISTORY | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
---|---|
2.000 | 2.000 |
Foreign Language College Requirement
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete 14-16 credit hours of foreign language.1
To complete the requirement, students have the equivalent of Elementary I and II in any language, plus one of the following options:
- Intermediate I and II of the same language 2
- Elementary I and II of a second language
- Any combination of two courses from the following list:
- Intermediate I of the same language
- MCLS 10001 INTRODUCTION TO STRUCTURAL CONCEPTS FOR LANGUAGE STUDENTS
- MCLS 20000 GLOBAL LITERACY AND CULTURAL AWARENESS
- MCLS 20091 VARIABLE CONTENT SEMINAR IN GLOBAL LITERACY: CASE STUDIES
- MCLS 21417 MULTICULTURALISM IN TODAY'S GERMANY (DIVG)
- MCLS 22217 DIVERSITY IN TODAY'S RUSSIA (DIVG)
- MCLS 23217 THE FRANCOPHONE EXPERIENCE (DIVG)
- MCLS 28404 THE LATIN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE (DIVG)
- MCLS 28405 THE SPANISH EXPERIENCE (DIVG)
1 | All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may begin beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and fewer courses.This may be accomplished by (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level; (2) receiving credit through Credit by Exam (CBE), Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or College Level Examination Program (CLEP); or (3) being designated a "native speaker" of a non-English language (consult with the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office for additional information). When students complete the requirement with fewer than 14 credit hours and four courses, they will complete remaining credit hours with general electives. |
2 | Certain majors, concentrations and minors may require specific languages, limit the languages from which a student may choose or require coursework through Intermediate II. Students who plan to pursue graduate study may need particular language coursework. |
Roadmap
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
Semester One | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
UC 10097 | DESTINATION KENT STATE: FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE | 1 | |
World and American History Electives | 6 | ||
Foreign Language | 4 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 14 | ||
Semester Two | |||
! | World and American History Elective | 3 | |
Foreign Language | 4 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 16 | ||
Semester Three | |||
! | HIST 32050 | HISTORICAL RESEARCH METHODS | 3 |
Foreign Language | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Four | |||
! | Declared Concentration Elective | 3 | |
! | European or Global or Pre-1800 or United States History Concentration Elective | 3 | |
Foreign Language | 3 | ||
College General Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Five | |||
! | Declared Concentration Elective | 3 | |
! | European or Global or Pre-1800 or United States History Concentration Elective | 3 | |
College General Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
General Electives | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Six | |||
! | Declared Concentration Elective | 3 | |
General Electives | 12 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Seven | |||
! | European or Global or Pre-1800 or United States History Concentration Elective | 3 | |
General Electives | 12 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Eight | |||
! | HIST 49091 | SENIOR SEMINAR IN HISTORY (ELR) (WIC) | 3 |
! | European or Global or Pre-1800 or United States History Concentration Elective | 3 | |
General Electives | 9 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 120 |