History

The history department fosters a learning experience that stands apart from newer modes of instruction at large universities. Amid the shift to larger classes, televised lectures and machine-gradable exams, history faculty have chosen to follow a more traditional path. The department’s emphasis on small courses, analytical reading, lively debate and interpretative writing offers committed students unique rewards. It also comes with high expectations.

Overview

The history major focuses on the development of three related skill sets critical to professional success in today’s complex world:

• Writing: History is a writing-intensive discipline. Although assignments vary by course, students will be taught a set of critical skills and research techniques that will help them gather and analyze sources and then marshal the evidence in the presentation of coherent historical arguments.
• Critical analysis: In the typical upper-division course, students read an average of 75 to 125 pages each week. Students will be expected to synthesize the material effectively and come to class prepared to discuss the readings.
• Oral communication: Rather than merely recounting facts from readings and lectures, students will develop their own interpretations of historical events and ideas and discuss them with their peers and professor. They will be expected to contribute actively in the classroom and will on occasion lead discussions and give short reports.

Coursework for the Major

Required Coursework

To graduate, all history majors must complete a minimum of 35 credits in history with minimum grades of C, including:

• HIS 3942 History Practicum, a methodological introduction to the study of history, should be taken in the first year in the major and it must be taken no later than Semester 5.
• AMH/AFH/ASH/EUH/LAH/HIS 4930 History Research Seminar, the capstone course of the major and normally taken in the senior year, although students who plan to write an honors thesis are encouraged to take the course as juniors. In this seminar, students produce a substantial research paper based on primary source research. Enrollment in the research seminar is restricted to majors.
• Students must take 30 additional hours of history courses; at least 21 of these hours must be at the 3000/4000 level
• Majors must take at least two courses in American history (AMH), two in European history (EUH) and two courses in other geographical areas (AFH, ASH or LAH prefixes only). The history research seminar may count toward this distribution.
• History majors must take a minimum of 21 credits of history at UF.
• History majors may enroll in a maximum of three history courses per semester.

Prior to graduating, history majors complete an online exit survey.

Only exam (AICE, AP, CLEP or IB) credits with course equivalencies at UF count toward the requirements for the major and then only at the 2000 level. AMH 0301, EUH 0301 and WOH 0301 do not count toward the major.

Recommended Coursework

Majors are encouraged, but not required, to take a total of nine credits at the introductory 2000 level, including one course in American history (AMH), one course in European history (EUH), and one course in African, Asian or Latin American history (AFH, ASH, LAH courses).

Combined Degree Program

Majors who are interested in advanced training are encouraged to consider the 4/1 combined degree program. More information.

Research

Majors are encouraged to consider advanced research opportunities in history. The department places special emphasis on participation in the history honors program.

Critical Tracking

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Students are strongly advised to take HIS 3942 in their first year as a history major, and it must be taken no later than Semester 5.

Semester 1

• 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5

Semester 2

• Complete 1 history course at the 2000 level or above

Semester 3

• Complete 1 additional history course at the 2000 level or above with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 4

• Complete 1 additional history course at the 3000 level or above (recommended) with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 5

• By the end of semester 5, students must have completed 4 history courses: HIS 3942 History Practicum, two history courses at the 2000 level or above and one history course at the 3000 level or above
• Maintain 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Recommended Semester Plan

Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).​