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History
Chair of Collegiate Affairs and Adviser: Rashid Khalidi, P 103, 702-3013
Assistant to the Adviser: Drew Digby, SS 225, 702-2178
History Preceptors: SS 1, 702-3079
Program of Study
The study of History may be pursued as a complement to general education
or as preparation for graduate work in history or other disciplines. Students
interested in a History concentration should see the History undergraduate
adviser, preferably before the end of the second year, to discuss their
areas of interest in History and to be assigned to a preceptor who will
act as their individual program adviser. (To be assigned a preceptor, consult
with the program assistant in SS 225 during posted office hours.) History
concentrators then construct their programs of study in consultation with
the preceptor, the undergraduate adviser, and other appropriate faculty
members. Students should try to think of the concentration program as an
integrated whole designed in conjunction with the faculty. The central focus
of a program is a topic or problem in history which the student desires
to investigate. The student may pursue a topic with a national or chronological
focus, or within a subfield such as social, cultural, legal, or military
history, or with a thematic focus such as gender, migration, minorities,
slavery, modernism, colonialism, or revolution, to name some of the possibilities.
The national and chronological history fields offered by the department
are listed below. The B.A. essay that the student completes in the fourth
year will be framed within this area of interest. The essay should involve
original primary research on a significant issue, develop an insightful
examination and critique of work already done on a topic, or, ideally, do
both.
Students should meet with their preceptors at least once each quarter to
discuss the courses they are taking or plan to take and to inform
the department of their general progress. Preceptors will help students
choose a junior colloquium and a prospective director for the B.A. essay.
Whenever students have questions, they should feel free to contact the undergraduate
History adviser or their preceptors either directly or through the administrative
assistant (SS 225).
Program Requirements
There are no special prerequisites for a concentration in History. However,
to prepare for a History concentration, students are strongly encouraged
to take the civilization sequence that is most appropriate to their major
area of interest. Students interested in a History concentration should
fulfill the Collegiate requirements most relevant to History during the
first two years. This applies especially to the civilizational studies requirement
and to language instruction. It is also wise to take basic history courses
in their area of interest early and, in any case, no later than the third
year. Students will find the choice of advanced courses and B.A. essay topics
easier if they have a sound background in the concentration.
Languages. All History students are encouraged to pursue language studies
beyond the basic Common Core requirements. Students who intend to pursue
graduate studies in History are especially encouraged to consult with appropriate
faculty members as early as possible for additional advice on language studies.
Courses. Twelve quarter courses in History are required for a concentration
in History. "Courses in History" means all courses offered by
members of the Department of History and any other courses that are clearly
related to the student's area of interest and have significant historical
content or focus. In case of uncertainty, the preceptor and undergraduate
adviser will provide guidance.
Students are required to take five courses in, or directly related to, their
chosen main field. One additional course is reserved for the junior
colloquium (History 297) and two are reserved for the B.A. Essay Senior
Seminar (History 299). The four remaining concentration courses can be selected
from any area of history of interest to the student, but at least two of
these courses should be chosen to introduce very significant civilizational
or chronological breadth to the student's program. Students should construct
the main field and choose their other courses in close consultation with
their preceptors, subject to final approval by the undergraduate adviser.
Under normal circumstances, students are expected to have taken at least
four history courses, including three in their major field, by the end of
their third year. Exceptions for good cause must be approved by the student's
preceptor.
Courses in the Main Field. The Department of History offers a number
of standard concentration fields, including:
Africa
Ancient Mediterranean
East Asia
Europe: Medieval Near East (Ancient or Islamic)
Europe: Modern Russia
Great Britain
History of Science
International
Jewish History
Latin America
South Asia
United States
Students may also develop topically defined main fields that cut across
the geographical and chronological definitions of the standard main fields.
In those cases, the preceptor and adviser will work particularly closely
with a student to ensure appropriate focus and breadth in both the main
and secondary courses. In choosing courses, all students should aim at two
goals: broad knowledge of the main field and more detailed knowledge of
one or several of its major aspects. Students with no preparation in history
other than one of the civilization course sequences should place more emphasis
on breadth than on depth.
Secondary Courses. The four secondary courses should be chosen to complement
the main field, extend the range of the student's historical awareness,
and explore varying approaches to historical analysis and interpretation.
At least two should be chosen from a civilizational or chronological field
significantly different from that of the main field. In some cases, provided
that they obtain the undergraduate adviser's permission, students may include
among their secondary courses a second civilizational sequence, in addition
to the one they have taken to fulfill Common Core requirements.
Reading and Research Courses. For students with a legitimate interest
in pursuing a program of study that cannot be fulfilled by means of regular
courses, there is the option of devising a reading and research course,
to be taken individually and supervised by a member of the History faculty.
Such a course requires the approval of the History adviser and the
prior consent of the instructor with whom the student would like to study.
Junior Colloquium. During their third year, History concentrators take
one of the junior colloquia (History 297, formerly 197). The purpose
of the junior colloquium is to introduce students to historical practice,
how historians have conceived the past as an object of study, and the various
methods they have employed to reconstruct it. This will be accomplished
principally by reading exemplary historical texts, narratives, and works
dealing with the question of history and discussing the different issues
and approaches that have guided historians in the effort to grasp a moment
or event in the past. Students will also be required to write papers. Colloquia
will vary according to the instructor. But students need not seek a colloquium
in which reading content matches their field since the colloquia are intended
to be department-wide in appeal. Because junior colloquia have strict size
limitations, it is important to register early to ensure enrollment in the
colloquium of choice. The colloquia are intended to show students how historians
make history, not how to do research on their B.A. essay, which is the purpose
of the senior seminar.
Junior Statement. By May 15 of the junior year, each student will submit
a B.A. essay proposal form, giving the proposed topic of the B.A. essay
and the name and signature of the faculty member who has agreed to direct
it. A form is available from the preceptors and in the History Undergraduate
Office (SS 225). In addition, students are required to meet with their preceptors
before May 15 and work out an acceptable course plan for their senior year.
All changes to their course plan after this date need to be approved by
their preceptor in writing. Both the course plan and proposal constitute
the first assignment for the senior seminar and failure to do both could
adversely affect the student's grade. Students should consult with
their preceptors, the undergraduate adviser, the instructors of their colloquia,
and appropriate members of the department to define a suitable topic area
in the main field and to find a faculty director for the B.A. essay. Students
are required to submit the junior statement before enrolling in the senior
seminar. Students should begin meeting with their faculty directors during
the spring quarter of their third year and develop a plan for reading and
research during the summer between the third and fourth years.
Senior Seminar. The B.A. essay develops a significant and original interpretation
of an important historical issue. Essays tend to range between thirty
and forty pages in length, but there is neither a minimum nor a maximum
required length. In addition to working closely with their faculty director,
who will be the first reader of their essay, students are also required
to join a two-quarter undergraduate senior seminar (History 299) during
the autumn and winter quarters of their last full year in the College.
The convenor of the seminar is normally the preceptor with whom the student
has been working, who will also serve as the second reader of the essay.
The B.A. essay seminar will assist students in developing their bibliographic,
research, and writing skills and provide a forum for group discussion and
critiques.
In all cases, the final deadline for submission of the B.A. essay is the
second Monday of spring quarter. This deadline represents a final, formal
submission, and students should expect to submit and defend substantial
drafts much earlier. Students who wish to complete their papers in a quarter
other than spring quarter must petition the department through the undergraduate
adviser. Students graduating in a quarter other than spring must turn in
their essay by the Friday of the seventh week of the final quarter. When
circumstances justify it, the department will establish individual deadlines
and procedures. Students who fail to meet the deadline may not be able to
graduate that quarter and almost certainly will become ineligible for honors
consideration.
Two copies of the B.A. essay must be turned in to the undergraduate assistant
in SS 225; copies will then be delivered to the appropriate readers. This
procedure is for the student's protection--to make sure a grade is turned
in. To guard against loss, all students should keep copies of their essays.
The B.A. essay is normally read and graded by the faculty director of the
essay and the preceptor who convened the student's senior seminar. If they
disagree substantially about its quality, the essay will go to a third reader
selected by the undergraduate adviser.
Summary of Requirements
Concentration 5 courses in a main field
4 secondary courses, of which at least two should introduce very
significant civilizational or chronological breadth
1 Hist 297 (junior colloquium)
2 Hist 299 (senior seminar)
- B.A. essay
12
Honors. Students who have done exceptionally well in their course work
and have written an outstanding B.A. essay will be recommended for special
honors in History. Readers will submit to the department B.A. essays that
appear to be of particular distinction. If the department concurs and the
corresponding grade point average is 3.0 or better overall and 3.5 or better
in the concentration field, the department will award the student honors
in History.
Grading. Subject to College and division regulations and with the consent
of the instructor, all History concentrators may register for regular letter
grades or P/N grades in any course. (Exceptions: History concentrators
may not register for P/N grades in History of Western Civilization
or in History 297 or 299). A Pass grade will be given only for work
of C- quality or better.
NOTE: Some graduate schools will not accept a transcript with more than
10 percent Pass grades. On the average, that means five or more.
Faculty
GUY S. ALITTO, Associate Professor, Departments of History and East Asian
Languages & Civilizations and the College
LEORA AUSLANDER, Associate Professor, Department of History and the College
RALPH A. AUSTEN, Professor, Department of History and the College; Cochairman,
Committee on African & African-American Studies
JOHN W. BOYER, Martin A. Ryerson Distinguished Service Professor, Department
of History and the College; Chairman, Council on Advanced Studies in the
Humanities & Social Sciences; Dean of the College
GEORGE CHAUNCEY, Associate Professor, Department of History and the College
KATHLEEN N. CONZEN, Professor, Department of History and the College
EDWARD M. COOK, Associate Professor, Department of History and the College;
Dean of Students in the University
PRASENJIT DUARA, Professor, Departments of History and East Asian Languages
& Civilizations and the College
CONSTANTIN FASOLT, Associate Professor, Department of History and the College
SHEILA FITZPATRICK, Bernadotte E. Schmitt Professor, Department of History
and the College
RACHEL FULTON, Assistant Professor, Department of History and the College
MICHAEL E. GEYER, Professor, Department of History and the College
JAN E. GOLDSTEIN, Professor, Department of History and the College
CHARLES M. GRAY, Professor Emeritus, Department of History and the College;
Lecturer, the Law School
HANNA H. GRAY, Harry Pratt Judson Distinguished Service Professor, Department
of History and the College; President Emeritus of the University
NEIL HARRIS, Preston and Sterling Morton Professor, Department of History,
Committees on Geographical Studies and General Studies in the Humanities,
and the College
RICHARD HELLIE, Professor, Department of History and the College; Chairman,
Russian Civilization Program in the College
THOMAS HOLT, James Westfall Thompson Professor, Department of History and
the College
RONALD B. INDEN, Professor, Departments of History and South Asian Languages
& Civilizations and the College
MYLES JACKSON, Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of History and the
College
WALTER E. KAEGI, Professor, Department of History, Division of the Humanities,
and the College
FRIEDRICH KATZ, Morton D. Hull Distinguished Service Professor, Department
of History and the College
RASHID KHALIDI, Professor, Departments of History and Near Eastern Languages
& Civilizations; Director, Center for International Studies
JULIUS KIRSHNER, Professor, Department of History and the College
EMMET LARKIN, Professor, Department of History
CLAUDIO LOMNITZ, Professor, Department of History and the College
TETSUO NAJITA, Robert S. Ingersoll Distinguished Service Professor, Departments
of History and East Asian Languages & Civilizations and the College;
Chair, Department of History
WILLIAM NOVAK, Assistant Professor, Department of History and the College
PETER NOVICK, Professor, Department of History and the College
STEVEN PINCUS, Assistant Professor, Department of History and the College
MOISHE POSTONE, Associate Professor, Department of History and the College
ROBERT J. RICHARDS, Professor, Departments of History, Philosophy, and Psychology,
Committee on the Conceptual Foundations of Science, and the College; Chairman,
Committee on the Conceptual Foundations of Science; Director, Program in
History, Philosophy, & Social Studies of Science & Medicine
RICHARD SALLER, Edward L. Ryerson Distinguished Service Professor, Departments
of History and Classical Languages & Literatures and the College; Dean,
Division of Social Sciences; Chairman, Committee on the Ancient Mediterranean
World
JULIE SAVILLE, Associate Professor, Department of History and the College
ANDRE SCHMID, Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of History and the
College
AMY DRU STANLEY, Assistant Professor, Department of History and the College
NOEL M. SWERDLOW, Professor, Departments of Astronomy & Astrophysics
and History, Committee on the Conceptual Foundations of Science, and the
College
KARL JOACHIM WEINTRAUB, Thomas E. Donnelley Distinguished Service Professor,
Department of History, Committee on Social Thought, and the College; Chairman,
Committee on the History of Culture and Tutorial Studies Program
JOHN E. WOODS, Professor, Departments of History and Near Eastern Languages
& Civilizations and the College; Director, Center for Middle Eastern
Studies
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