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UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN HISTORY
(Click here for Graduate Programs in History)
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- Why Study History?
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- The study of
history needs no defense. History is an
essential part of civilized life, its value
is simply a basic fact of human experience.
As instinctive, indigenous, and spontaneous
as art, music and literature, history also
fulfills a fundamental need for clearer
insight into objective reality.
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- Since the dawn
of historical consciousness people have been
fascinated with history because it recorded
the deeds of great people. More utilitarian
reasons for the study of history in our time
include its pivotal significance as the basis
for society's sense of direction and purpose,
its promise to assist in one's efforts of
personal cultivation and its (alleged)
potential to help us shape and understand the
future.
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- If you
"always liked" history but find
that people are trying to discourage you, do
not feel you have to justify your decision.
You are participating in an inquiry that is
both natural and enjoyable, which through the
millennia and into our own time has attracted
many influential men and women. History
majors can do anything they want.
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- This is what a history major equips you to do
if you dedicate the time and the effort. You
can:
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Participate
knowledgeably in the affairs of the
world around you, drawing upon
understandings shaped through
reading, writing, discussions, and
lectures concerning the past.
See yourself and
society from different times and
places, displaying a sense of
informed perspective and a mature
view of human nature.
Read and think
critically, write and speak clearly
and persuasively, and conduct
research effectively.
Exhibit sensitivities
to human values in their own and
other cultural traditions and, in
turn, establish values of your own.
Appreciate your
natural and cultural environments.
Respect scientific
and technological developments and
recognize your impact on humankind.
Understand the
connections between history and life.
- Employment
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- It should be
apparent from the above that an accomplished
history major is attractive to all kinds of
employers in any number of fields, as well as
to graduate and professional schools. You can
find USF history alumni in the legal and
medical professions, in business, government,
foreign service, politics, and creative
self--employment. In order to teach history
on the secondary level, you will need to
double-major or study for a master's degree
in the College of Education. Opportunities to
teach at the college level are presently
limited. If you are interested in this
career, seek advice from your professors.
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- Requirements for the Major
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- (Please, consult the current Undergraduate
Catalogue for the official version. What
follows is a brief and incomplete overview.)
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- Learning in
history is not necessarily cumulative and
does not need to be chronological. Yet
"cafeteria-style" course selection
serves no purpose either. Meaning in the past
is most likely found through discovering the
connectedness of things which stimulates and
satisfies curiosity. This discovery may be
the most important element in the shaping of
a coherent major for you and must be
undertaken with much care. Make use of your
advisor's and professors' help.
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- A major in
history requires 32 hours of course work. The
Department of History considers the two
course sequences in the fields of Ancient,
Medieval, Modern European or American History
the best foundation for upper-level study.
Many transfer students will have taken
American and World (or Western) History
courses which fulfill this requirement. If
you have passed two of these courses, you
may, after consulting with the advisor,
complete the 12 credit hour requirement on
the upper level.
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- Upper-level
courses, distinguished by greater depth and
more rigorous demands make up the solid core
of your history curriculum. Choose a minimum
of twelve hours. There should be some rhyme
and reason behind your selection to foster
depth of knowledge and understanding in one
area. However, do not carry that
concentration too far: remember that your
degree is in history, not in World War Two or
Professor XYZ, and not even in American
History. Your advisor can help. Eight
additional credit hours (beyond the 32
required) of history electives can be taken,
but Open University courses count only as
electives.
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- During your
last two semesters, you should enroll in the
Pro-Seminar and the Theory of History
courses. You may not take both at the same
time; long reading lists and extensive
writing assignments make these your most
demanding history courses. The Pro-Seminar
takes on a very limited topic of study in
great depth and requires a research paper.
Thus, you ought to be broadly familiar with
the field. Inquire about the Pro-Seminars
offered well in advance of the semester in
which you desire to enroll. Space is limited,
and you need the professor's permission.
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- The Theory of
History course explores basic questions about
history and historiography and a wide variety
of fields, periods, and approaches to
history. Enrollment is limited to 25; you
will need to sign up early.
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- Remember: a
minimum grade of "C" or better is
needed to have a course count towards your 32
hours in the major. Also, do not delay
tackling your foreign (or sign) language
requirement!
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- The search for
connectedness continues across the
disciplines in your program of study. History
majors will find electives of related
interest in the Departments of Anthropology,
Economics, English and Government,
International Affairs, and American Studies.
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- In addition,
the Department recommends very strongly the
following electives: ENC 3310 Expository
Writing, LIS 2001 Information Resources and
Library Research, SPC 2023 Public Speaking,
and CGS 3062 Introduction to Computers and
Programming in Basic.
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- Requirements for the History Minor
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- You will need a
total of 15 hours, at least 8 hours at USF.
Only one lower--level sequence counts and
earns 4 credit hours. Choose the courses for
the Minor according to your own interests but
with an eye on connectedness. Open University
courses do not count.
Beyond the official
Requirements
Make contact with
your professors. They are interested
in your academic development, and
welcome your visits during their
posted office hours.
A student of history
must be a reader beyond the material
assigned in class. Read on your own
as much as you can from among these
categories:
A daily
newspaper (St. Petersburg
Times, New York Times) via
your own subscription, to
keep abreast of current
events and the history of
tomorrow;
A weekly news
magazine (The Economist, U.S.
News. Time, Newsweek), for
the same reason;
A book review
(New York Review of Books,
New York Times Book Review),
to be aware of new
publications of interest to
educated people;
Historical
non-fiction and fiction (Tom
Clancy does not count).
Develop a taste for good
writing, as the reading of good books will serve you
well for the rest of your
life. Keep a list of
worthwhile books during the
semester and catch up during
breaks. Ask your professors
to recommend books and
periodicals to you.
- The world is the history student's
expanded classroom. Use every
opportunity to visit this country's
historical sites and places.
Participate in an exchange or
study-abroad program or travel on
your own ("backpacking in
Europe" - ask the advisor).
Foreign travel fosters personal
growth while familiarizing you with
other cultures and with your own. It
is a significant and legitimate part
of your college education. The
International Student Exchange Office
in CPR 273 offers a wide variety of
options, e.g., in Great Britain,
Italy, and Spain. Do not put this off
until after graduation. Your junior
year is best-suited for such
purposes.
- The university makes it your responsibility
to keep track of your progress towards
graduation. Access to Sunlink helps you. You
should, however, see the advisor on a regular
basis anyway. He can produce your SASS report
for you, and help you with course selection
and related advice.
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- Please note
that this pamphlet cannot cover every aspect
of interest. Contact your course instructor
and specifically the faculty and staff
members listed below with additional
questions. We want to help you make the most
of your studies in the USF Department of
History.
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- Q & A
Q: How
many hours do I need for a major in History ?
A: 32 hours minimum (as a rule12 credits
of 2000 level course work, 12 credits of 3000
level course work, 4 hours of Theory of
History and 4 hours of Pro-Seminar)
Q: How many hours for a minor in History ?
A: 15 hours (one lower level sequence
which counts as 4 credit hours, plus 11 hours
of 3000 level course work). 8 hours of the
total need to come from the USF History Dept.
Q: Do I need a foreign language for a
history degree?
A: You will need a two-semester sequence
of either a foreign or of American Sign
language.
Q: Will my Humanities, American Studies,
International Studies, or Political Science
classes count toward my major?
A: No. To count toward your major, the
course must have the prefix of HTY, followed
by AFH, AMH, ASH, EUH, HIS, or LAH.
Exceptions are certain courses in Africana
Studies and Women's Studies that are
cross-listed with History courses.
Q: Does the History Department have a set
program that must be completed for a History
major?
A: No. A History major may pick 28 of the
32 hours required from the historical fields
of his or her choice. All history majors must
take: HIS 4104 Theory of History. 2000- and
3000 level courses do not have to be taken in
sequence, although as a rule fulfillment of
the 2000-level requirement will precede
coursework on the 3000-level. HIS 4104 and
4936 will be taken during your last two
semesters.
Q: Why can't I take Theory of History and
my Pro Seminar during the same semester ?
A: These two courses are your most
demanding History courses. They both will
have long reading lists and extensive writing
assignments.
Q: After I have read the above and checked
my SASS, do I still need to see my History
advisor ?
A: Yes, you do. If for no other reason,
you need to do so as you enter your senior
year. It is because registration plans for
the access-restricted courses of Theory of
History and ProSeminar require close
collaboration with your advisor.
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- Chairman of the Dept. of History: Dr. William Murray, SOC 271. Voice Mail:
(813) 974-6209. Email: murray@luna.cas.usf.edu
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- Undergraduate Advisor: Janet Hall, SOC 274. Voice Mail: (813) 974-2688.
Email: jhall@chuma1.cas.usf.edu
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- Office Manager: Sylvia E. Wood,
SOC 270. Voice Mail: (813) 974-2809. Email: swood@chuma1.cas.usf.edu
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- Program Assistant: Judy Drawdy, SOC 260.
Voice Mail: (813) 974-2807. Email: jdrawdy@cas.usf.edu
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