History

The Major: Majors must complete a minimum of 36 semester hours in history. Of these, at least 27 hours must be at the 3000-4000 level. Majors are encouraged, but not required, to take a total of nine hours at the introductory 2000 level, including one course in American history (AMH), one course in European history (EUH), and one in either African, Asian or Latin American history (AFH, ASH, LAH courses). AP or IB credits count toward the credits at the 2000 level. Courses used to meet the requirements of another major or minor may not be used toward a major in history.

The one required course for all majors is the junior seminar. This course, which teaches methodological skills, should be taken during the junior year. Enrollment is restricted to history majors. Students may select from AFH 3930, AMH 3930, ASH 3930, EUH 3930, HIS 3930 or LAH 3930.

To ensure a good grasp of history in diverse cultures, majors must take at least two courses in American history (AMH), two in European history (EUH) and two courses in other geographical areas (AFH, ASH, or LAH prefixes only). The junior seminar counts toward this distribution requirement.

Transfer students must take a minimum of 21 hours of history at the University of Florida.

Students should balance their general and specialized courses. Too narrow a focus obscures the general trends of history; too broad a focus obscures the complexities of historical study and the importance of interpretation. Students should take four to six courses in a geographical, chronological or thematic concentration and seek electives that complement this concentration.

Students should consult a department adviser if they have questions about the area of concentration. Students who wish to concentrate in the history of science, technology and medicine should contact a faculty member in the field or discuss requirements with an adviser in that concentration.

History of Science, Technology and Medicine: Students must meet the following requirements:

• 36 hours minimum in the history of science program, 27 at the 3000-4000 level, including HIS 3930 (as a history of science junior seminar) and nine hours at the 3000-4000 level without the HIS prefix.
• 18 hours in history of science, technology and medicine, including at least three in history of technology or history of medicine. These courses also meet the history of science requirement: AST 3043 (History of Astronomy), LIT 4431 (Literature of Science), PSY 4604 (History and Systems of Psychology) and MHF 4404 (History of Mathematics).
• Nine hours of science or mathematics that are listed as requirements for majors in that discipline.

Combined B.A./M.A. Program: See a department adviser for program details.

Honors: To graduate cum laude, a student must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. To graduate magna cum laude, a student must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher AND write an acceptable senior thesis (HIS 4970) under the supervision of a faculty member in the department. The student should normally have completed at least one course with that professor. The supervisor nominates outstanding senior theses to the department honors committee, which may recommend highest honors (summa cum laude).

The Minor: A minor in history consists of 15 credits minimum, at least 12 of which must be at the 3000-4000 level with grades of C or better in each course. Individual study and the S-U option are not acceptable. Courses used to meet the requirements of another major or minor may not be used toward a minor in history. Transfer students who minor in history must take at least nine hours of history at UF.

A new interdisciplinary minor in medieval and early modern studies focuses on medieval and early modern European culture and its influences on the modern world. Students acquire historical perspectives that can contribute to current discussions about ethnicity and nationality, colonialism, technologies and their effects, gender and sexuality and the characteristics of historical and fictional narratives.

At least half of the 18 hours must be taken at the 3000-4000 level, with at least one 3-credit, 4000-level course. An additional requirement is completion of a 2000-level foreign language course (3 hours). A list of courses and additional information is available from Dr. Will Hasty, Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies, 254 Dauer, 392-2101.

Overseas Study: History majors should consider study abroad, which often offers courses in a single subject. Plan ahead for study abroad by adjusting the timetable of general education requirements. The department regularly conducts a summer history seminar at Cambridge University in England. The program provides nine credits at the 3000 level, meets UF summer residency requirements and applies to the Writing and Math Requirement. The five-week seminar varies each year in content. Past seminars have had the following topics: England in Crisis: The Age of Shakespeare; Victorian Britain; Britain in the 20th Century. Information is available from the department or the UF International Center, 123 Grinter.

To remain ‘on track’ for this major, a student must meet the following critical tracking criteria.

• 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5

• Maintain 2.0 UF GPA

• Complete 1 History course

• Complete 1 additional History course with a 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work

• Complete 1 additional History course (1 of the 3 courses must be at the 3000 level) with a 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work

NOTE: Students with AP credit should not take any 2000-level courses in American or European history; proceed to the 3000 level.