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:

1. Develop the ability to understand and apply a variety of basic historical methods.
2. 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.
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.