New Major (for students declaring the major after Spring 2020)
Preparation for the Major
History 100, 101, and six lower division units of history electives. (12 units) These
prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC and must be completed with a minimum GPA
of 2.20 and a grade of C (2.0) or better in each class.
Language Requirement
Students will be required to successfully complete the third college semester or fifth
college quarter or four years of high school in one foreign language to fulfill the
graduation requirement. Refer to section of the catalog on “Graduation Requirements.”
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement
Completing History 390W or another approved upper division writing course (W) with
a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements” section of the catalog
for a complete listing of requirements.
Program Requirements
A minimum of 30 upper division units in history with at least nine units of 500-level history courses. Students must complete History 400 and three units selected from History 450, 451, 452, 455. It is also important that you work diligently with your History 400 professor to pass the course with a C or better. Failing to pass that course will require you to repeat it before completing your final capstone requirement (450, 452 or 452) which will likely delay your graduation.
A minimum of three upper division units selected from courses on ancient through early-modern history: History 407, 411, 415 [or Latin American Studies 415], 420, 473, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504 [or Humanities 504], 505, 506 [or Humanities 506], 507 [or Religious Studies 507], 508, 550, 566, 569 and, depending on specific content, History 406, 442, 496, 499, 514, 569, 580, 581, 582, 583, 584, 586.
A minimum of three upper division units selected from history courses outside of Europe and the Americas after 1500 CE: History 421 [or Asian Studies 421], 425 [or Asian Studies 425], 454 [or Asian Studies 453], 474, 516, 541, 567, 570, 574, and, depending on specific content, History 406, 442, 496, 499, 580, 581, 582, 583, 584, 585, 586.
All students must complete an additional 18 upper division units of electives in history. Students may complete one of the specializations below in partial fulfillment of the 18 unit requirement.
Up to six units from other departments may be applied to the history major upon written
approval of the undergraduate adviser. History electives may be taken in any order.
Optional Specializations
Students may complete one of the specializations below. (Please note: You do not need to have a specialization to complete the history degree.)
Students who select the specialization in public histories must complete three courses as specified below, to include an history internship experience to be satisfied by completion of HIST 452 or HIST 495 (or an equivalent internship or volunteer experience).
Six units selected from: HIST 445, 451, 455 and 587
Twelve units: nine units in a in a coherent geographical, temporal, or thematic field, in consultation with a faculty adviser, and three units selected from History 404, 411, 412, 441, 516, 544B, 553 [or Latin American Studies 553], 557, 558, 586.
International Experience: Students who select the specialization in world history and global affairs must also complete an international experience long distance or local (ask the adviser for more information).
Major Academic Plan
The Major Academic Plan (MAP) will help you identify which General Education course will also fulfill a major preparation course requirement. It will also suggest sequencing to ensure that you complete prerequisites for an upper-division course prior to taking the higher-level course. Visit the SDSU Major Academic Plan website.
See our Courses page for more information.
Program Learning Goals and Degree Learning Outcomes
PLG 1: Breadth and Depth of Historical Knowledge
To produce bachelors of arts in History who have a general knowledge of world history
and advanced knowledge of two or more regions of the world, and who have an in-depth
understanding of a variety of historical themes, problems, and periods
PLG 2: Analysis and Interpretation of Source Material
To produce bachelors of arts in History who show an ability to analyze and interpret
primary sources, to handle and evaluate diverse interpretations of events, and to
formulate causes and consequences of change as well as explanations of continuity.
PLG 3: Engagement in, and Production of, Critical Scholarship
To produce bachelors of arts in History who can engage in serious scholarship and
have knowledge of various schools of history and modes of analysis
PLG 4: Application of History Degree/Skills in Future Endeavors
To produce bachelors of arts in History who can transfer the skills and knowledge
they learn as students of history to their future professions, community life, and
personal endeavors.
DLO 1 Historiography
The student understands the principal debates of scholars in their interpretation
of the past and how/why scholars have developed these interpretations.
DLO 2 Historical Relationships and Causation
The student understands historical relationships, including cause-and-effect and other
forces (such as political, social, economic, cultural, intellectual and environmental
developments) that affect continuity and change.
DLO 3 Diversity (Cultural, Ethnic, Etc.)
The student recognizes diverse cultures and groups, including racial and ethnic minorities
and other marginalized groups.
DLO 4 Primary/Secondary Source Analysis
The student has the ability to interrogate primary and secondary sources within their
historical contexts.
DLO 5 Historical Argumentation (Oral and Written)
The student is able to argue, both in writing and speaking, in a style used by professional
historians, using appropriate evidence and critical thinking.
DLO 6 Application of Historical Methods
The student uses interpretive tools such as historical empathy, interdisciplinary
discourse, and comparative models in order to "do history" as an evidence-based interpretation
of past human events, not a mere listing of names and events.
DLO 7 Humanities GE
Students in History general education courses, both foundations and explorations,
achieve the humanities-specific goals of the GE: analysis of written texts; communication
of value systems over time; argue from multiple perspectives; and complex approach
and questions.