History BA

Major: History
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 180.0
Co-op Options: Three Co-op (Five years); One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 54.0101
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-3093

About the Program

The history program reflects the strengths of Drexel University, including specialization in transnational history and in the history of science, technology and the environment. A series of required courses in history build skills in research and interpretation of the past while elective courses within and outside the history program allow students to shape their curriculum to meet their needs and interests. Our history graduates go to graduate school in history, to professional schools in law, medicine, and business, and to work in business, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

We apply Drexel's experiential, research-intensive approach to the discipline of history. Using the extensive historical resources of Philadelphia, the region, and the digital world, students develop a profound understanding of history and the ways it is made. We also encourage students to enrich their education through co-op, study abroad, and summer research projects working alongside department faculty.

Degree Offered

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) provides a course of study that includes a broad grounding in the liberal arts, with the opportunity for students to choose courses to fulfill humanities, social science, foreign language, math and science requirements according to their overall educational and career plans. The program requirements also leave room for students to take electives of interest or to add a minor or a double-major in another course of study. 

The Minor in History allows students in other majors to explore the historical background of their discipline, to better understand the origins of the contemporary world, and to build the knowledge and skills needed to understand the development of human societies over time and to understand historical episodes into their proper contexts. The minor in History is highly flexible and allows students to choose those History courses which appeal to them and which will contribute to their broader education. To complete the minor, students must take a total of six History courses (24.0 credits), five of which must be at the 200-level or above.

The Minor in War and Society is an interdisciplinary minor offered by history in which students examine the history and politics of warfare, the military, and related institutions. In the Minor in the History of Capitalism, students explore capitalism and the emergence of the modern world economy from a global, historical perspective.

Drexel Co-op for History majors

History majors at Drexel embark on up to three, six-month periods of employment — exploring their career options, strengthening their résumés and building a professional network in the process. Our curriculum has students complete courses in historical methods before they go on co-op, allowing them to hone their research, analytical and communication skills while adding value to their employer. 

Additional Information

For more information about this program, please visit the Department of History website or contact:

Jonathan Seitz, PhD
Assistant Department Head
Teaching Professor of History
jwseitz@drexel.edu

Degree Requirements

University Requirements
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
UNIV H101The Drexel Experience1.0
UNIV H201Looking Forward: Academics and Careers1.0
College of Arts & Sciences Requirements **
Developing Quantitative Reasoning **6.0-8.0
Engaging the Natural World **6.0-8.0
Analyzing Cultures & Histories **6.0-8.0
Understanding Society & Human Behavior **6.0-8.0
Cultivating Global Competence **6.0-8.0
Perspectives in Diversity **3.0-4.0
Department of History Requirements
Core History Sequence ***24.0
Introductory Seminar in History ***
Research Methods in History ***
The Study of History ***
Advanced History Seminar ***
Senior Seminar I ***
Senior Seminar II ***
History Distribution Courses
Any 1 Global History course from the list below: 4.0
Race and Islam in Africa and the Middle East
History of Antisemitism
Pirates, Planters, Traders: The Jewish Atlantic World
The Great War, 1914-1918
World War II
The Pacific War
History of the Holocaust
Modern Jewish History
Fascism
Jewish Life and Culture in the Middle Ages
Russian History Before 1900
Twentieth Century Russia & the USSR
The Reformation Age
Coexistence and Conflict: Jews, Christians, and Muslims in the Early Mediterranean
Technology and the World Community
Global Legal History
The Study of Global History
History of Capitalism
Themes in Global Environmental History
Empire and Environment
The Vietnam War
Venice and the Mediterranean from the Middle Ages to Napoleon
Witches, Demons, and Witch-hunters in European History
Science and State Power: Colonialism
The Black Atlantic: Slave Societies of the Americas
Silences in African History
Any 1 Africana History course from the list below: 4.0
Race and Islam in Africa and the Middle East
Themes in African-American History
United States Civil Rights Movement
American Slavery
Freedom in America
History of Policing Homosexuality
The Black Atlantic: Slave Societies of the Americas
Silences in African History
Any 1 History of Science, Technology, and Environment course from the list below: 4.0
History of Modern Biology
Religion, Science, and Medicine in History
Medicine Before Germs
History of Modern Medicine
Technology and Identity
Technology in Historical Perspective
History of Science: Ancient to Medieval
History of Science: Medieval to Enlightenment
History of Science: Enlightenment to Modernity
Technology and the World Community
The Study of Science, Technology, and Environment in History
Themes in Global Environmental History
Empire and Environment
The History of Climate Change
Disabilities in History
Madness, Mental Health and Psychiatry in the Modern West
Any 1 History course covering pre-1700 history from the list below: 4.0
The Historical Jesus
Themes in World Civilization I
Themes in World Civilization II
Jewish Life and Culture in the Middle Ages
The Reformation Age
Coexistence and Conflict: Jews, Christians, and Muslims in the Early Mediterranean
History of Science: Ancient to Medieval
History of Science: Medieval to Enlightenment
Venice and the Mediterranean from the Middle Ages to Napoleon
Witches, Demons, and Witch-hunters in European History
The Black Atlantic: Slave Societies of the Americas
History Elective or Concentration Courses 20.0-23.0
Any 5 History courses
Department Language Requirement ^0.0-12.0
Foreign Language ^
Free electives ^^74.0
Total Credits180.0-206.0
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

See the CoAS Core Curriculum List for a complete list of course options.

***

These courses must be taken in sequence. (It is recommended but not required that HIST 380 fall between HIST 301 and HIST 490 [WI] .)

The History Distribution courses must be at least 200-level, and a course may not fulfill more than one Distribution category.

The History electives may be applied to fulfill an optional concentration (either in the History of Science, Technology, and Environment or in Global History). At least two of the History electives/Concentration electives must be 300-level or above; another two must be at least 200-level or above.

^

Students must complete a department language requirement. They may either successfully complete 103 in one language (including the option to test out of it, if the university offers the language of the student's competence), or they may take 12.0 credits of language distributed across more than one language.

  • Students may count one Study Abroad or international co-op experience (minimum one quarter) in a non-English speaking country toward their language requirement. Students should consult with their advisor to ensure this credit is properly recorded.
  • Students may count one language course toward the CoAS "cultivating global competence" distribution requirement.
^^

The number of Free Electives will vary depending on the number of credits in other course selections; the total need not be 74.0 credits to reach 180.0 credits for the degree.

Optional History Concentrations

Students may select one of the two following concentrations in the History BA, or they may elect not to undertake a concentration. The courses in the required History Core Sequence and used to fulfill the History Distribution categories may not count toward the 20.0 credits in the concentration.

History of Science, Technology, and Environment Concentration

HIST 302The Study of Science, Technology, and Environment in History4.0
Concentration Electives (select four from the following list): *16.0
Medicine Before Germs
History of Modern Medicine
Technology and Identity
Technology in Historical Perspective
History of Science: Ancient to Medieval
History of Science: Medieval to Enlightenment
History of Science: Enlightenment to Modernity
Technology and the World Community
Themes in Global Environmental History
Empire and Environment
Disabilities in History
History of the AIDS Pandemic
Science and State Power: Colonialism
Special Topics in History (with approval when appropriate topic offered)
Special Topics in History (with approval when appropriate topic offered)
Total Credits20.0

Global History Concentration

HIST 303The Study of Global History4.0
Global Engagement Course **4.0
Concentration Electives (select three from the following list) *12.0
The Great War, 1914-1918
World War II
Fascism
Russian History Before 1900
Twentieth Century Russia & the USSR
The Reformation Age
Technology and the World Community
History of Capitalism
Themes in Global Environmental History
Empire and Environment
Venice and the Mediterranean from the Middle Ages to Napoleon
Science and State Power: Colonialism
Silences in African History
Special Topics in History (with approval when appropriate topic offered)
Special Topics in History (with approval when appropriate topic offered)
One Additional Foreign Language Course ***3.0-4.0
Total Credits23.0-24.0
*

At least two courses must be 300-level and above.

**

Courses that fulfill the Global Engagement requirement include designated travel-integrated courses, Study Abroad courses (with approval), Global Classroom courses in history, or independent study courses (with approval.)

***

In addition to the Department of History foreign language requirements, students in the global history concentration must take one more foreign language course.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study

4 year, no co-op - No concentration

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0VACATION
HIST 1014.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0Developing Quantitive Reasoning3.0-4.0 
UNIV H1011.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Foreign Language/Free elective††3.0-4.0 
Cultivating Global Competence††3.0-4.0Foreign Language/Free elective††3.0-4.0Global History course*4.0 
History elective*4.0Free elective3.0-4.0  
 15-16 13-16 13-15 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 2964.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0VACATION
Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0History elective*4.0 
History course covering pre-1700 history**4.0History of Science, Technology and Environment course*4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0 
Free electives3.0-4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0Free electives6.0-8.0 
 Free elective3.0-4.0  
 14-16 16-20 16-20 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 3014.0HIST 3804.0History electives*8.0VACATION
Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0UNIV H2011.0Free electives9.0-12.0 
Perspectives in Diversity3.0Africana history course*4.0  
Free elective4.0Free electives7.0-8.0  
 14-15 16-17 17-20 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
HIST 4904.0HIST 4914.0Free electives15.0-16.0 
History elective*4.0Free electives12.0  
Free electives7.0-8.0   
 15-16 16 15-16 
Total Credits 180-203

4 year, 1 co-op - No concentration

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0COOP 1011.0VACATION
HIST 1014.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV H1011.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning4.0 
Cultivating Global Competence††3.0-4.0Foreign Language course/Free elective††3.0-4.0Foreign Language/Free elective††3.0-4.0 
History elective*4.0Free elective3.0-4.0Global history course*4.0 
 15-16 13-16 15-16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 2964.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0History electives*8.0
Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0History elective*4.0Free electives9.0-12.0
History course covering pre-1700 history**4.0History of Science, Technology and Environment course*4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0 
Free elective3.0-4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0Free electives6.0-8.0 
 Free elective3.0-4.0  
 14-16 16-20 16-20 17-20
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 3014.0HIST 3804.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0UNIV H2011.0  
Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0Africana History course*4.0  
Free elective3.0-4.0Free electives6.0-8.0  
 13-16 15-17 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
HIST 4904.0HIST 4914.0Free electives15.0-16.0 
History elective*4.0Free electives12.0  
Free electives7.0-8.0   
 15-16 16 15-16 
Total Credits 180-205

5 year, 3 co-ops - No concentration

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0COOP 1011.0VACATION
HIST 1014.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV H1011.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0 
Cultivating Global Competence††3.0-4.0Foreign Language course/Free elective††3.0-4.0Foreign Language course/Free elective††3.0-4.0 
History elective*4.0Free elective3.0-4.0Global History course*4.0 
 15-16 13-16 14-16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 2964.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0  
History course covering pre-1700 history**4.0History of Science, Technology, and Environment course*4.0  
Free elective3.0-4.0Understanding Society & Behavior3.0-4.0  
 Free elective3.0-4.0  
 14-16 16-20 0 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 3014.0History electives*8.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Free electives9.0-12.0  
Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0   
Free electives6.0-8.0   
 16-20 17-20 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0HIST 3804.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
History electives*4.0UNIV H2011.0  
Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0Africana History course*4.0  
Free elective4.0Free electives6.0-8.0  
 14-16 15-17 0 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
HIST 4904.0HIST 4914.0Free electives15.0-16.0 
History elective*4.0Free electives12.0  
Free electives7.0-8.0   
 15-16 16 15-16 
Total Credits 180-205
*

The History Distribution courses must be at least 200-level. (The pre-1700 History Distribution course must be at least 200-level but may not be HIST 201.)

**

The History electives/Concentration electives must include at least two 300-level courses and at least two 200-level courses.

See the CoAS Core Curriculum List for a list of course options for this distribution.

††

See the degree requirements for the department foreign language requirement. One language course may count toward the "Cultivating Global Competence" College of Arts & Sciences requirement.

4 year, no co-op - Science, Technology, and Environment Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0VACATION
HIST 1014.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0 
UNIV H1011.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Foreign language/Free elective††3.0-4.0 
Cultivating Global Competence††3.0-4.0Foreign Language course/Free elective††3.0-4.0Global History course*4.0 
Concentration History elective*4.0Free elective3.0-4.0  
 15-16 13-16 13-15 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 2964.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0VACATION
Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Concentration history elective*4.0 
History course covering pre-1700**4.0History of Science, Technology, and Environment course*4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0 
Free elective3.0-4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0Free electives6.0-8.0 
 Free elective3.0-4.0  
 14-16 16-20 16-20 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 3014.0HIST 3804.0Concentration History electives*8.0VACATION
Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0UNIV H2011.0History elective*4.0 
Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0Africana History course*4.0Free electives9.0-12.0 
Free elective4.0Free electives7.0-8.0  
 14-16 16-17 21-24 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
HIST 4904.0HIST 4914.0Free electives15.0-16.0 
Free electives8.0Free electives11.0  
 12 15 15-16 
Total Credits 180-203

4 year, 1 co-op - Science, Technology, and Environment Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0COOP 1011.0VACATION
HIST 1014.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV H1011.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0 
Cultivating Global Competence††3.0Foreign Language course/Free elective††3.0-4.0Foreign Language/free elective††4.0 
Concentration History elective*4.0Free elective3.0-4.0Global History course*4.0 
 15 13-16 15-16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 2964.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Concentration History electives*8.0
Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Engaging Natural History3.0-4.0Concentration History elective*4.0Free electives9.0-12.0
History course covering pre-1700**4.0History of Science, Technology, and Environment course*4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0 
Free elective4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0Free electives6.0-8.0 
 Free elective3.0-4.0  
 15-16 16-20 16-20 17-20
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 3014.0HIST 3804.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0UNIV H2011.0  
Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0Africana History course*4.0  
Free elective4.0Free electives6.0-8.0  
 14-16 15-17 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
HIST 3024.0HIST 4914.0Free electives15.0-16.0 
HIST 4904.0Free electives11.0-12.0  
Free electives6.0-8.0   
 14-16 15-16 15-16 
Total Credits 180-204

 5 year, 3 co-ops - Science, Technology, and Environment Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0COOP 1011.0VACATION
HIST 1014.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV H1011.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0 
Cultivating Global Competence††3.0-4.0Foreign Language course/Free elective††3.0-4.0Foreign Language/Free elective††3.0-4.0 
Concentration History elective*4.0Free elective3.0-4.0Global History course*4.0 
 15-16 13-16 14-16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 2964.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0  
History Course covering pre-1700**4.0History of Science, Technology, and Environment course*4.0  
Free elective3.0-4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0  
 Free elective3.0-4.0  
 14-16 16-20 0 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 3014.0Concentration History electives*8.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Free electives9.0-12.0  
Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0   
Free electives6.0-8.0   
 16-20 17-20 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Concentration History elective*4.0HIST 3804.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0UNIV H2011.0  
Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0Africana History course*4.0  
Free elective4.0Free electives6.0-8.0  
 14-16 15-17 0 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
HIST 3024.0HIST 4914.0Free electives15.0-16.0 
HIST 4904.0Free electives12.0  
Free electives7.0-8.0   
 15-16 16 15-16 
Total Credits 180-205
*

All History Distribution and History Elective courses must be at least 200-level. At least two must be 300-level.

**

The pre-1700 History Distribution course must be at least 200-level but may not be HIST 201.

See the CoAS Core Curriculum List for a list of course options for this distribution.

††

See the degree requirements for the department foreign language requirement. One language course may count toward the "Cultivating Global Competence" College of Arts & Sciences Core Curriulum requirement.

4 year, no co-op - Global History Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0VACATION
HIST 1014.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0Global History course*4.0 
UNIV H1011.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0 
Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0Foreign Language course/Free elective††3.0-4.0Foreign Language/Free elective††3.0-4.0 
Concentration History elective*4.0Free elective4.0  
 15-16 14-16 13-15 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 2964.0History of Science, Technology, and Environment*4.0Concentration Foreign Language††4.0VACATION
Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0 
History course covering pre-1700**4.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0 
Free elective3.0-4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0Free electives6.0-8.0 
 Free elective3.0-4.0  
 14-16 16-20 16-20 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 3014.0HIST 3804.0Concentration Global Engagement Course†††4.0VACATION
Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0UNIV H2011.0Concentration History elective*4.0 
Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0Africana History course*4.0Free electives9.0-12.0 
Free elective4.0Free electives6.0-8.0  
 14-16 15-17 17-20 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
HIST 4904.0HIST 4914.0Free electives15.0-16.0 
HIST 3034.0Free electives12.0  
Free electives7.0-8.0   
 15-16 16 15-16 
Total Credits 180-204

4 year, one co-op - Global History Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0COOP 1011.0VACATION
HIST 1014.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV H1011.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0 
Cultivating Global Competence††3.0-4.0Foreign language course/Free elective††3.0-4.0Foreign Language/Free elective††3.0-4.0 
Concentration History Elective*4.0Free elective3.0-4.0Global History Course*4.0 
  Free electives3.0-4.0 
 15-16 13-16 17-20 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 2964.0History of Science, Technology, and Environment course*4.0Concentration Foreign Language††3.0-4.0Concentration History elective*4.0
Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Concentration Global Engagement†††4.0
History course covering pre-1700**4.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0Free electives9.0-12.0
Free elective3.0-4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0Free electives6.0-8.0 
 Free elective3.0-4.0  
 14-16 16-20 15-20 17-20
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 3014.0HIST 3804.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0UNIV H2011.0  
Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0Africana History course*4.0  
Free elective3.0-4.0Free electives6.0-8.0  
 13-16 15-17 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
HIST 3034.0HIST 4914.0Free electives14.0-15.0 
HIST 4904.0Free electives12.0  
Free electives7.0-8.0   
 15-16 16 14-15 
Total Credits 180-208

5 year, three co-ops - Global History Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0COOP 1011.0VACATION
HIST 1014.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV H1011.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0 
Cultivating Global Competence††3.0-4.0Foreign Language course/Free elective††3.0-4.0Foreign Language course/Free elective††3.0-4.0 
Concentration History elective*4.0Free elective4.0Global History course*4.0 
 15-16 14-16 14-16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 2964.0History of Science, Technology, and Environment course*4.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0  
History course covering pre-1700**4.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0  
Free elective3.0-4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0  
 Free elective3.0-4.0  
 14-16 16-20 0 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HIST 3014.0Concentration History elective*4.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Concentration Foreign Language††3.0-4.0  
Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0Free electives9.0-12.0  
Free electives6.0-8.0   
 16-20 16-20 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Concentration Global Engagement†††4.0HIST 3804.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0UNIV H2011.0  
Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0Africana History course*4.0  
Free elective4.0Free electives6.0-8.0  
 14-16 15-17 0 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
HIST 3034.0HIST 4914.0Free electives15.0-16.0 
HIST 4904.0Free electives12.0  
Free electives7.0-8.0   
 15-16 16 15-16 
Total Credits 180-205
*

All History Distribution and History Elective courses must be at least 200-level. At least two must be 300-level.

**

The pre-1700 History Distribution course must be at least 200-level but may not be HIST 201.

See the CoAS Core Curriculum List for a list of course options for this distribution.

††

See the degree requirements for the department foreign language requirement. One language course may count toward the "Cultivating Global Competence" College of Arts & Sciences Core Curriulum requirement. Note that the Global Concentration requires one additional foreign language course beyond the department's requirement for the major.

†††

Courses that fulfill the Global Engagement requirement include designated travel-integrated courses, Study Abroad courses (with approval), Global Classroom courses in history, or independent study courses (with approval.)

Co-Op/Career Opportunities

Co-Op Experiences

History majors have a wide variety of co-op experiences from which to choose. Business and public utilities offer many possibilities, and local, state, and federal governments; museums and archives; and law firms present many additional interesting co-op placements. Pre-law students, for example, are especially eager to see the inside of a law office, whether the co-op job they receive is clerical or a more challenging paralegal assignment. These practical experiences in the “real” world can reinforce the lessons of the classroom, sharpen skills, and establish important contacts. Sample co-op positions include:

  • Law clerk/paralegal, Joe Davidson, Attorney-at-Law, Philadelphia
  • Research analyst, Legislative Office for Research Liaison, Harrisburg, PA
  • Legislative intern, Corporate Public Affairs Division, Philadelphia Electric Company
  • Assistant lobbyist, Government Relations Office, Drexel University
  • Education intern, Philadelphia Museum of Art
  • Researcher, Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
  • Assistant, Office of the Governor, Harrisburg, PA

Career Opportunities

The flexible programs allow students to shape a curriculum that meets their needs, whether they are preparing for the business world, graduate school in history or political science, an MBA or other business program, or law school.

History Faculty

Lloyd Ackert, PhD (Johns Hopkins University). Teaching Professor. History of science and technology; ecology; Russian science.
Sonia Vaz Borges, PhD (Humboldt University). Assistant Professor. African history, Africana Studies, Liberation Struggles Studies, Social Movements Studies, History of Education, Decolonial Studies and Methodologies, Oral History, Militant Research
R. Scott Hanson, PhD (University of Chicago). Senior Scholar. Urban History, Immigration, religion, Civil Rights, Public History.
Jonson Miller, PhD (Virginia Tech). Teaching Professor. Science and technology, American history, military history.
Sharrona Pearl, PhD (Harvard University). Associate Teaching Professor. Medical ethics; science studies; history of science and medicine; critical race, gender, and disability studies; media studies.
Toni Pitock, PhD (University of Delaware) Co-director, Judaic Studies Program. Assistant Teaching Professor. Atlantic World, Jewish Migration and Diaspora, Economic Culture, Trade Networks, Colonial American History
Nic John Ramos, PhD (University of Southern California). Assistant Professor. African American History, history of Medicine, History of Psychiatry, urban History, 20th Century US History, History of Racial Capitalism, History of Sexuality
Rosalind Remer, PhD (University of California, Las Angeles) Vice Provost & Executive Director, Lenfest Center for Cultural Partnerships; Affiliated Faculty Member. History of the Book, Early American economic and business history, Public History, Museum planning, Non-profit Management
Tiago Saraiva, PhD (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid) Department Head. Associate Professor. History of science and technology; transnational history; environmental history
Jonathan Seitz, PhD (University of Wisconsin) Assistant Department Head, History. Teaching Professor. History of religion, science, medicine, witchcraft, early modern Europe, Italy.
Tasneem A. Siddiqui, PhD (University of Southern California). Assistant Professor. Black Radical Tradition, Land-based Struggles; Black Social Movements; labor; Black Geographies; Africana Spiritual Systems.
Kathryn Steen, PhD (University of Delaware). Associate Professor. History of technology, history of industry and business, and comparative history.

Emeritus Faculty

Eric Dorn Brose, PhD (Ohio State University). Professor Emeritus. German and European history.
Amy Slaton, PhD (University of Pennsylvania). Professor. History of science and technology; history of standards and metrology; intersectionality, race, labor.
Donald F. Stevens, PhD (University of Chicago). Professor. Modern Latin American history.
Robert Zaller, PhD (Washington University). Professor Emeritus. English history and early modern European history.
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