History - Bachelor of Arts (36 Credits)

(36 credits plus 6 credits of experiential learning)

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. Majors will study key historical events in pre-, early, and modern history and engage in original historical research. They will gain a nuanced understanding of pivotal historical issues and cultivate highly transferable skills in research, writing, and critical thinking.

Majors have the option to complete many of their program requirements through Reacting to the Past courses. This award-winning, active-learning pedagogy immerses students in significant historical moments through complex role-playing games. This innovative approach offers a dynamic and engaging approach to teaching history.

Learning Goals: History Major

Students will demonstrate knowledge of key historical topics in pre-, early, and modern history.
Students will understand and apply historical research practices, including:
- Find and analyze primary and secondary historical sources.
- Make and defend written and oral evidence-based arguments.
- Describe and assess historical research methodologies, disciplinary approaches, and writing styles.
- Evaluate historiographical arguments and explain how their own arguments relate to existing historiography.
- Produce original historical projects based on primary and secondary source research.
- Apply their skills in an appropriate internship setting.

Degree Requirements

I. Required Core (12 Credits):

A. Pre and Early Modern Period (3 Credits)

Choose One

CHIST 1501	World History I	3
CHIST 2121	United States History to 1865	3
CHIST 2450	Democratic Foundations: Learning Through Games	3

B. Modern Period (3 Credits)

Choose One

CHIST 1502	World History II	3
CHIST 2121	United States History to 1865	3
CHIST 2317	Power and Inequity in Modern Europe	3
CHIST 2550	Democratic Challenges: Learning Through Games	3

C. Research Methods (6 Credits)

Students must take CHIST-4900: Advanced History Seminar twice to fulfill the 6 credit requirement.

CHIST 4900	Advanced History Seminar: How History is Made	3
CHIST 4900	Advanced History Seminar: How History is Made	3

II. Electives (18 Credits):

A. Choice Courses (9 Credits)

Any CHIST or CHUMS course.

B. Depth (9 Credits)

Any 3000-level or above CHIST or CHUMS course.

III. World Language Competency

Competencies in world language for the History Major are fulfilled by:

Completing two semesters of American Sign Language, Portuguese, or Spanish at the university level.
Successfully finishing two semesters of a non-English world language at an accredited higher education institution or approved year-abroad program.
Students arriving at Lesley with the proficiency to enroll in American Sign Language II, Spanish II, or Portuguese II, and successfully completing the course, also satisfy the world language competency requirement.
Students who have achieved proficiency equal to two full semesters of college language instruction before joining Lesley have several options to meet 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).
- Upon enrollment, students seeking to demonstrate language competency should consult the Department Chair.
- Students can opt to take a competency exam in any of the languages offered at Lesley. A grade of B or higher on this test will waive the language requirement, while a grade ranging from C to B- will place the student at the second-semester level.
- For languages not offered at Lesley, students must take the CLEP or an equivalent exam as approved by the Department Chair.

IV. Professional/Experiential Component (6 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.

CINTD 3100	Interdisciplinary Internship & Seminar	3-6
CINTD 4100	Interdisciplinary Internship & Seminar II	3-6