History – BA

Program Overview:

The major in History is designed to provide a liberal, career-oriented education for students seeking employment in government, foreign service, museums, business, industry, and teaching; to prepare students for law school; and to prepare students of demonstrated competence for graduate study in History or Political Science.

For History, Political Science, and History/Political Science majors, Albany is an ideal location. Political Science internships and history field experiences are readily available. Field experiences are designed to provide students interested in history with an opportunity to investigate public history by working at historic sites, in museums and in historical organizations. Internships are designed to provide students interested in politics with an opportunity to study the political process first hand by working in the New York State Legislature, public offices, law firms, and community agencies. Students are encouraged to take 3-15 credit hours of history field experience or political science internships as part of their general electives for their degree program. They may also pursue up to six credit hours in independent study or directed readings after completing the required upper-division coursework in that geographic area or subfield. At least 33 of the 45 credits required in the major must be completed at The College of Saint Rose. Departmental majors are required to fulfill their upper division courses in residence.

To strengthen their ability to think critically and present their ideas effectively, all majors are required to take an introductory research methods workshop, upper-division courses that emphasize acquisition of analytical and research skills, and a senior capstone seminar. In this seminar, faculty specialists address a particular topic or related topics and engage with the students in open discussion. Students are normally required to conduct research on these topics and to prepare oral and written presentations. The seminars are usually restricted to seniors.

Program Contacts:

Dr. Ryane McAuliffe Straus

Chair, History & Political Science Department

Email: strausr@mail.strose.edu

Program Webpage: https://www.strose.edu/history-and-political-science/

Program Requirements:

Major in History (45 credits)

HIS 100	Intro:History & Politics	1
HIS 213	Fndtns of Europe:Antiq-Mid Age	4
HIS 214	Modern Europe	4
HIS 226	US History to 1865	4
HIS 227	US History since 1865	4
	Two 200-level History courses	8
	Four upper-division History Courses	16
HIS 498	Capstone Seminar	4

Upper Division Requirements: A total of 4 upper-division (300- or 400-level) history courses must be taken in two out of the following five geographic areas: Africa, Asia/Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and the United States (16 credits).

Additionally, students must complete the Capstone Seminar (4 credits).

Independent Study Policy:

Independent studies provide intensive advanced opportunities for motivated students to deepen their exploration of a topic that they’ve already demonstrated interest and mastery over based upon successful completion of an introductory course.

Independent studies, moreover, are designed to offer exposure to intellectual work that does not fall within the required curriculum and is not offered in the regular course rotation. Independent studies cannot be used as a substitute for academic requirements in the major or concentration.

Internship/Field Experiences/Service:

For History majors, Albany is an ideal location. History field experiences are readily available. See Internships for History Majors, on the website. Field experiences are designed to provide students interested in history with an opportunity to investigate public history by working at historic sites, in museums and in historical organizations. Internships are designed to provide students interested in politics with an opportunity to study the political process first hand by working in the New York State Legislature, public offices, law firms, and community agencies. Students are encouraged to take 3-15 credit hours of history field experience or political science internships as part of their general electives for their degree program. They may also pursue up to six credit hours in independent study or directed readings after completing the required upper-division coursework in that geographic area or subfield. At least 33 of the 45 credits required in the major must be completed at The College of Saint Rose. Departmental majors are required to fulfill their upper division courses in residence.

Culminating Academic Experiences:

Required Course:

HIS 498

Capstone Seminar

The Capstone Seminar topic changes each semester.

Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:

This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 120 overall credits. It should be used along with your Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.

First Year

Fall

HIS 100 Intro to Methods - 1 cr.
HIS 226 US to 1865 (C9) - 4 cr
HIS XXX 100 or 200 course (HIS 215 rec) – 4 cr.
ENG 105 Composition (C1) – 4 cr.
PHI or RLS (C4) – 3 cr.
_______________________________
16 cr.

Spring

HIS 227 US since 1865 – 4
HIS XXX 100/ 200 course (HIS 260 Tr-Atl rec) – 4
POS (C8) (POS 112 or POS 142 rec.) 4
Math (C6) – 3
_________________________________
15 cr.

Sophomore Year

Fall

HIS 213 Foundations of Europe – 4
HIS 2XX elective – 4
Literature (C2) – 4
Language (C3) – 3
________________________________
15 cr.

Spring

HIS 214 Modern Europe – 4
HIS 3XX (US rec) – 4
CSC (C7) – 3
Lab Science (C5) – 4
________________________________
15 cr.

Junior Year

Fall

HIS 3XX - 4
ECO or SOC or PSY (C8) – 3
HIS XXX elective – 4
Any dis. elective – 3-4
________________________
14-15 cr.

Spring

HIS 3XX – 4
HIS or POS elective – 4
HIS or POS elective – 4
Any dis. elective – 3-4
_____________________
15-16 cr.

Senior Year

Fall

HIS 3XX – 4
HIS or POS elective – 4
Any dis. electives – 4-8
HIS 499 (opt ind-st) 1-5
____________________
13-17 cr.

Spring

HIS 498 Capstone – 4
Any dis electives – 6-8
HIS 499 (opt ind-st) 1-5
______________________
13-17 cr.