Guide to the Major & MinorDepartment of History

Beginning in fall 2024, these are the new requirements for the History Major:

Major

A minimum of nine (9) courses, graded C- (1.67) or better, chosen in consultation with a departmental advisor as follows:

  1. Of the nine ( 9) courses, no more than three (3) may be at Level I and at least two (2) must be at Level III in addition to HIS-399.
  2. One course in each of the following four regions: Africa; Asia; Europe; and United States:
    1. Choose courses from this list:
      1. Africa: HIS 150 (Africa and the World); HIS 298 (Memorializing Mau Mau); HIS 350 (South Africa and Apartheid);
      2. Asia: HIS 170 (Modern East Asia); HIS 175 (Pre-Modern East Asia); HIS 274 (Modern China); HIS 278 (Modern Japan); HIS 375 (War and Revolution in Southeast Asia)
      3. Europe: HIS 120 (Modern Europe); HIS 211 (Imperial Russia); HIS 212 (Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union); HIS 218 (Scandinavia to 1800); HIS 219 (Scandinavia since 1800); HIS 226 (European Women); HIS 312 (France under Nazi Occupation); HIS 323 (European Minorities);
      4. United States: HIS 130 (US to Civil War); HIS 140 (US since Civil War); HIS 142 (African American History I); HIS 143 (African American History II); HIS 203 (the Black Athlete); HIS 230 (American Lives); HIS 241 (Recent US); HIS 242 (Hollywood, USA); HIS 243 (History of the Present); HIS 298 (Liberty and Justice for all); HIS 330 (Immigration in US history); HIS 331 (Hip Hop and the Black 1980s); HIS 332 (Civil War); HIS 334 (Civil Rights);
    2. With permission from the department, students may substitute one additional global connections course for one of the regional courses.
  3. One course that focuses primarily on global connections or connections between world regions.
    1. Choose from this list:
      HIS 104 (Environmental History); HIS 105 (World History); HIS 201 (Empire and Culture); HIS 202 (Atlantic Slavery and Freedom); HIS 240 (US and WWII); HIS 298 (Queer Histories); HIS 303 (We Want You!); HIS 370 (US East Asia Interactions)
  4. HIS-299 Historical Methods (formerly HIS-200), normally to be completed by the end of the sophomore year.
  5. HIS-399 History Research Capstone (formerly HIS 300), normally to be completed during the senior year.
  6. Two 300-level classes of their choice. These courses can also count towards the geographic areas.
     

Note: In fulfilling these requirements, no more than two (2) courses can be counted from non-departmental courses and courses taken at other institutions. AP/IB credits may count toward the 9-credit requirement, but not any geographical or global distributions. Transfer credits will not be accepted for HIS-299 or HIS-399. A study abroad course can fulfill one of the course requirements, but it can only be at 100 or 200 level. 300-level courses as well as HIS 299 and HIS 399 can only be taken at Gustavus Adolphus College.

Minor

  • A minimum of five (5) courses chosen in consultation with a departmental advisor.
  • No more than two (2) of these courses may be Level I courses and at least one (1) must be a Level III course.
  • All History minors must complete HIS-299.
  • In fulfilling these requirements, no more than one (1) course can be counted from non-departmental courses and courses taken at other institutions.