History, B.A. Program (120 units)
Program Description
Students who pursue a degree in History come to understand the major issues facing the contemporary world through a historical lens, and understand how actions and actors of the past have created the political, social, and environmental circumstances faced by civilization today. Their studies afford them entree to the riches of the recorded past and understanding of the process of historical change. At the same time, a History major enables them to develop critical reading and writing skills that are valuable in life and crucial in any employment field they choose to enter.
Career Opportunities
Archivist • Attorney • Corporate Historian • Curator • Diplomat/Foreign Service Officer • Government Service • International Relations Specialist • Journalist • Legal Assistant • Librarian • Museum Worker • Professor • Politician • Public Administrator • Researcher • Teacher • Writer
Features
The B.A. degree major in History requires 51 semester units in History, 16 at the lower division and 35 at the upper division level. A required applied history course (4 units) introduces majors to the practical application of historical method and research beyond the classroom. Concentration requirements (9 units) permit specialization in a particular area, while elective courses (6 units) provide additional breadth. Three one-unit history labs are required for all majors to deepen the skills learned in the required courses. Capstone courses in historiography and thesis research acquaint students with the theory and practice of historical study and provide opportunities for the student to engage in original historical research.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a B.A. in History from Cal State East Bay will be able to:
- assemble, organize, and interpret historical evidence, and achieve digital literacy in accessing and presenting historical materials;
- demonstrate significant knowledge of major events and trends in their area of concentration;
- write and speak clearly and persuasively about historical themes and topics, and solve historical problems by collaboratively with others;
- conduct historical research in primary sources, provide original interpretation of sources, and accurately reference all sources, and construct historical arguments using original research;
- identify differences and similarities among diverse peoples and cultures over time and develop an historical perspective on social responsibility and sustainability;
- analyze the dynamics of applied history beyond the classroom.
Degree Requirements Unit-Outline
- A baccalaureate of arts degree requires a total of 120 units:
- The major requirements consists of 51 units
- General Education (GE) & Graduation Requirements (GR) consists of 57 units;
- Free Electives may consist of 12 units (actual number of free elective units may depend on GE/GR units).
Note: It may be possible to double-count units within the graduation requirements or that a course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Students should contact their program and AACE advisors for information.
Other Undergraduate Degree Requirements
In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate requirements for graduation, which are described in the Requirements, Exams & Testing chapter of this catalog.