History - Bachelor of Arts (30 Credits)
(30 credits plus 10 credits of experiential learning)
Historians are explorers and storytellers. The past is our world, and history is our craft. The study of history trains students to uncover the forgotten voices and diverse perspectives of the past and explain their relevance to society today. It prepares students to make critical evaluations of long-term transformations that continue to shape the contemporary world, like industrialization, imperialism, globalization, racism, and environmental change. History majors develop skills that are vital to meaningful careers and engaged citizenship. They become adept at locating and analyzing primary sources; formulating arguments supported by evidence; and presenting their findings through cogent writing, oral communication, and public presentations.
Majors begin their studies with introductory courses in United States, European, and world history, then move toward greater depth through upper-level electives of their choice. These elective courses allow students to focus on specific topics that interest them, such as genocide and transnational social movements; African and African American history; or women and gender inequality. Courses integrate interdisciplinary analyses through film, art, culture, and travel. Students gain direct experience in the field by interning at museums, archives, and other public history sites. Majors also produce a substantive piece of original scholarship in the junior writing seminar and have the option to write an Honors thesis during their senior year. The major culminates in a capstone seminar focused on the craft of historical scholarship and education.
Learning Goals: History Major
- Students will demonstrate breadth of knowledge in United States, European, and world history, and depth of knowledge in subject areas of their choice.
- Students will demonstrate research skills appropriate to the discipline, including the following:
- Posit a succinct and arguable thesis
- Organize and analyze evidence from multiple sources
- Adhere to genre and disciplinary conventions
- Demonstrate conversancy with different schools and methods of historical interpretation
- Communicate effectively and clearly in written and oral assignments
- Apply their skills in an appropriate internship setting
- Explore opportunities for graduate study
Degree Requirements
I. Required Core (21 Credits):
II. Electives (9 Credits):
III. Professional/Experiential Component (10 Credits):
If the student declares an Education Major or Minor, the internship requirement is satisfied with student teaching in the Major or Minor. If the student declares any other double major, the internship requirement must be satisfied in the major with the greater number of credits in its experiential component. If they are the same, the student may choose one. Every effort will be made to have one of the internships encompass the objectives of the other major. Students may choose to do an additional internship in their other major.
| CHUMS 2200 | Internship Planning and Preparation | 1 |
| CHUMS 3100 | Field Work and Seminar in the Humanities I | 3 |
| CHUMS 4100 | Humanities Field Work and Seminar II | 4-6 |
Other Requirements: Foreign Language competency
- Taking two semesters of American Sign Language, Chinese, French, German Italian, Portuguese or Spanish at the university level.
- If students enter Lesley with the proficiency to take American Sign Language II, Chinese II, French II, German II, Italian II or Spanish II, Portuguese II, and they pass that course, this will also satisfy the foreign language competency.
- Students who have already achieved a proficiency equal to two full semesters of college language instruction before entering Lesley have the following options for satisfying this requirement:
- Before entering Lesley, students may take an AP language exam or CLEP exam and satisfy the language requirement if they score a grade of four or higher (AP) or 50 or above (CLEP).
- After entering Lesley, students who wish to demonstrate language competency will be referred the Foreign Language Coordinator.
- Students may take a competency exam in any of the languages offered at Lesley under the supervision of the Foreign Language Coordinator. This exam will be equivalent to a final exam given to students in American Sign Language II, Chinese II, French II, German II, Italian II, Portuguese II, or Spanish II. A grade of B or higher in this test will waive the language requirement; a grade ranging from C to B- will place student at the second semester level.
- Students who wish to demonstrate language competency in any other foreign language must take the CLEP or an equivalent exam as approved by the Foreign Language Coordinator.