History (BA)

Description

The goals of the History Department are: (1) to provide students in all colleges and programs opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of the contemporary world through a critical knowledge of the past; (2) to provide all students with opportunities to cultivate skills of analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and interpreting historical evidence. Thus, the program is designed to play an integral role in the general liberal arts education of University of Detroit Mercy students and to serve the needs of history majors on a variety of career paths. Students who fulfill the requirements for this program will earn a Bachelor of Arts with a major in History.

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    Degree/Major Requirements

    To obtain this undergraduate degree, the student must fulfill the requirements of the University Core Curriculum, the requirements for the program major and have completed a minimum of 120 credit hours.

    History Major (36 credits)

    The major consists of a minimum of 36 hours of approved coursework, with an overall C average in the coursework.

    Required (12 credits):

    • HIS 1500 Introduction to History (3 credits) OR HIS 2640 Comparative Civilizations (3 credits)
    • HIS 2500 United States History to 1877 (3 credits)
    • HIS 2510 United States Since 1877 (3 credits)
    • HIS 2910 Historical Methods (3 credits)

    Two of the Following (6 credits):

    • HIS 2000 The Ancient Mediterranean World (3 credits)
    • HIS 2100 Medieval Europe (3 credits)
    • HIS 2200 Early Modern Europe (3 credits)
    • HIS 2300 Europe in the 19th and 20th Century (3 credits)

    Two of the following (6 credits):

    Electives at the 3000/4000 Level (12 credits)

    Three of the 12 credit hours must be for HIS 4990 Senior Seminar or another designated research seminar at the 4000 level.

    Areas of Interest

    History majors may plan their degree programs to enhance their area of interest:

    Public History

    Public history may be broadly defined as using the past to serve the present. It is appropriate for History majors who are considering career options other than teaching or law. Such options include archivist, museum curator or administrator, manager of historic properties, editing and publishing, policy analysis, government service, urban and regional planning, intelligence analyst, etc.

    Pre-Law

    History is an outstanding major for those considering careers in law. The reading, writing, and critical thinking skills history students develop are excellent preparation for the challenges of law school. The major can be supplemented with Legal Studies Certificate.

    Graduate Study

    For students interested in pursuing graduate studies in history, the emphasis in their undergraduate studies will depend on their specific interests—e.g. modern Europe, recent America. Students should use electives to build a strong cognate in a complementary area: e.g., languages, English, philosophy, economics, religious studies, political science. Those considering an advanced degree in History should consult their advisor for help selecting coursework and applying to graduate schools.

    Other Requirements:

    • Exit Interview
    • Mini-Portfolio
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    History Minor

    University of Detroit Mercy's History minor consists of 18 hours of approved coursework with at least an overall C average. You have the freedom to choose the area of history that interests you, such as United States history, the European sequence or take a more World viewpoint. An exit interview and mini-portfolio are required at the end of the coursework.

    Visit the History minor page for more information.

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    Museum Studies Minor

    A Museum Studies minor requires 18 credits, which when completed in conjunction with a relevant academic major, will prepare you for entry-level positions in museums and related cultural institutions. You may also decide to pursue a graduate program in Museum Studies or a related field. This includes a wide range of types of museums: art museums, natural history museums, museums of science and technology, history museums, planetariums, botanical gardens and zoos.

    Detroit is a great American city that is rich in museums and related cultural institutions. You will have plenty of interesting and rewarding opportunities for internships.

    Visit the Museum Studies minor page for more information.

Program Contact Information

Department Co-Chair: Roy Finkenbine, Ph.D.
Briggs Building, Room 318
McNichols Campus

Email: finkenre@udmercy.edu
Phone: 313-993-1016
Fax: 313-993-1166

Department Co-Chair: Greg Sumner, Ph.D.
Briggs Building, Room 326
McNichols Campus

Email: sumnergd@udmercy.edu
Phone: 313-993-1121
Fax: 313-993-1166

Department Website