Major and Minor Requirements

We study history because:

  • It’s just plain interesting. It’s about people trying to live their lives in all manner of circumstances, in every corner of the globe, and about how they created and responded to change. The study of history is an excellent foundation for practically anything you want to do with your life.
  • It’s practical in a broad sense. Exploring how people in the past constructed, tried to live in, and changed their social, political, and symbolic worlds makes us more adept at understanding our own changing world. Working on how and why things happened the way they did in the past makes us better at figuring out how and why things are happening the way they are now.
  • It’s practical in a narrow sense. Studying history develops our ability to analyze the ever-changing factors influencing human thought and action. It also teaches us how to find and interpret evidence from diverse sources, bring mountains of information into coherent focus, and express our insights clearly and articuately.

 

Please note that the major & minor requirements below only apply to students admitted to UR for the '24-'25 academic year. Students admitted in previous years should refer to the registrar for information about major & minor requirements.

For information regarding Advanced Placement credit, please refer to the registrar.

  • Major

    The History Major

    A grade of not lower than C (2.0) is required for each course in the major. At least 8 units must be at the 200-level or above. At least two courses must be at the 300-level. No more than two 100-level courses will be accepted for major credit. Students may apply to the department chair to have two 200- level courses counted towards the major from study abroad for one-semester’s study, or three 200-level courses for a full year’s study.

    10 units

    • One unit in at least four different areas: North America, Latin America/Caribbean, Africa, Europe, Middle East, Asia, Pre-1800, Comparative/Transnational/Global

    • HIST400 Research Seminar*

    • Five electives in history

    • Optional student-designed concentration

    Optional student-designed concentration

    Students may add an optional concentration focused on a geographic area or theme, which they design in consultation with their advisor or another history faculty member. Students may propose counting three to six courses towards a concentration. Courses that count toward the distribution requirement may also count toward the concentration. To earn a concentration, students must submit to the department chair a one-page written statement explaining how they developed their concentration through their combination of history courses. This statement can be submitted in their junior or senior year and would incorporate classes already taken plus those they plan to take as they finish their degree. Approval will be by the department chair in consultation with the advisory committee. Students can add only one concentration to their degree. Concentrations will not appear on student transcripts.

    *Note: At least one 400-level research seminar in history. 400-level seminars in other departments do not count toward the history major.

  • Minor

    The History Minor

    Note: A grade of not lower than C (2.0) is required in each course of the major.

    5 units, with no more than two at the 100 level. Three of the five courses in the minor must be taken in residence in the history department of the University of Richmond. No more than two courses for the minor can be drawn from study abroad.