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History

This is an archived copy of the 2020-2021 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

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The History department offers courses leading to the B.A. and B.S. degrees in history, an M.A. in History, and a Ph.D. in Rural, Agricultural, Technological and Environmental History.

The department offers a variety of survey courses (200 series) for first- and second-year students as either general education courses or as introductions to advanced courses in history or other subject areas. In addition to 200-level survey courses, it offers advanced undergraduate courses in the history of Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, the United States, technology and science, agriculture, and other selected topics.

The History Major

History majors may earn either a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree. The minimum required for a major in history is 36 credits, including HIST 301 and HIST 495 or HIST 498.  At least 24 credits of HIST must be in courses numbered 300 or above. Students may take a maximum of 12 credits at the 200-level, a maximum of 15 credits at the 300-level (including HIST 301), and must take a minimum of 12 credits at the 400-level or above (i.e. HIST 495 or HIST 498 and 9 additional 400+ level credits). A minimum of 15 credits of HIST numbered 300 or above must be taken in residence at Iowa State. The department will accept a maximum of 6 credits of cross-listed courses originating in another teaching department toward the major degree. Candidates for the B.A. must complete two years of university-level study in one foreign language or the equivalent.  Many history majors also pursue a minor in another discipline, a second major, or teacher certification.

Objectives for History Majors

  1. Display the appropriate level of cognitive knowledge of historical themes and events based upon the student’s course of study
  2. Display an understanding of past cultures and social organizations, based on the course of study
  3. Develop the fundamental methodological skills of the historical craft: the ability to contextualize and analyze primary source evidence; familiarity with the concepts of historical argument and interpretation, and the ability to formulate effective argumentation in written and oral forms; awareness of the basic historiography in selected research area; and the ability to conduct research and to write a historical essay based upon primary and secondary source research.  Students receive an introduction to these concepts in HIST 301 The Historian's Toolbox.
  4. Display a sophisticated understanding of the relationship between past events and the present. For purposes of outcomes assessment, History majors must complete three credits from the following list:  HIST 495 Historiography and Research Writing; if qualified and willing, one graduate-level research seminar; or if qualified and pursuing teacher certification HIST 498 Methods of Teaching History/Social Sciences.

Communication Proficiency requirement: History majors must receive a grade of C or better in ENGL 250 (or ENGL 250H), and HIST 301.