Academic Programs Catalog

College of Social Science

Undergraduate Programs

The department offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Global History, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History: Social Studies Education for students pursuing teacher certification. Students interested in teacher certification should contact the student affairs advisor in the College of Education. A Minor in Defense Studies and Leadership is also available.
 


Global History

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Global History

  1. The University requirements for bachelor’s degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of the catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Global History.

    The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Global History major is met by completing one of the following courses:  History 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, or 489. Those courses are referenced in item 3. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. The following course (3 credits):
    HST 201 Historical Methods and Skills 3
    b. Two of the following courses (8 credits):
    HST 140 World History to 1500 4
    HST 150 World History since 1500 4
    HST 205 The Ancient Mediterranean and the Medieval World 4
    HST 206 European History since 1500 4
    HST 208 Introduction to African History, Culture and Society 4
    HST 209 Traditional East Asia 4
    HST 210 Modern East Asia 4
    HST 211 Colonial Latin America 4
    HST 212 National Latin America 4
    c. Three courses at the 300-400 level focused on one of the following geographic areas:  Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America. The courses must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. (9 credits) 
    d. Two courses at the 300-400 level focused on a geographic area other than the area chosen in item c. above. The courses must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. (6 credits)
    e. One 3-credit senior seminar course chosen from HST 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, or 488. The course must be related to the area of historical concentration chosen in item c. above. Completion of this requirement satisfies both the department’s Tier II writing and capstone requirement.
    f. Completion of one experiential learning course, a history study abroad or study away course, an internship with a historical focus (HST 493), or an additional senior seminar course focused on any area of the world or topic not used in fulfillment of requirement e. above. The course must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. (3 credits)
    g. Completion of an area studies minor appropriate to the geographical area of concentration referenced in requirement c. above. History courses taken in the minor may also be used to fulfill requirements in the major.
    h. Second-year competency in a foreign language related to the geographical area of concentration reference in item c. above. This requirement may be satisfied by placing into a 300-level foreign language course based on a Michigan State University placement test. 


 

History

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in History

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in History.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the History major is met by completing one of the following courses:  History 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, or 489.  Those courses are referenced in item 3. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major (36 credits):
                   
    a. One of the following courses (3 credits):
    HST 201 Historical Methods and Skills 3
    HST 201H Historical Methods and Skills for Honors Students 3
    b. Three of the following courses (12 credits):
    HST 140 World History to 1500 4
    HST 150 World History since 1500 4
    HST 202 U.S. History to 1876 4
    HST 203 U.S. History since 1876 4
    HST 205 The Ancient Mediterranean and the Medieval World 4
    HST 206 European History since 1500 4
    HST 208 Introduction to African History, Culture and Society 4
    HST 209 Traditional East Asia 4
    HST 210 Modern East Asia 4
    HST 211 Colonial Latin America 4
    HST 212 National Latin America 4
    c. Two of the following courses (6 credits):
    HST 480 Seminar in American History (W) 3
    HST 481 Seminar in Ancient History (W) 3
    HST 482 Seminar in Medieval History (W) 3
    HST 483 Seminar in Modern European History (W) 3
    HST 484 Seminar in African History (W) 3
    HST 485 Seminar in Asian History (W) 3
    HST 486 Seminar in Latin American History (W) 3
    HST 487 Seminar in Comparative History (W) 3
    HST 488 Seminar in International Relations (W) 3
    HST 489 Seminar in Digital History (W) 3
    The completion of this requirement satisfies the department's capstone course requirement. With the prior approval of the undergraduate advisor and internship coordinator, an internship taken for at least 3 credits may be substituted for the capstone course requirement.
    Exception: credits in History 490 or 499H may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
    d. Twelve credits in History courses at the 300-400 level.
    e. Three additional credits in a History course.
    f. At least two courses totaling 6 credits from at least three of the following geographical areas: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin American, the United States, or the world. This requirement may be fulfilled by the courses referenced in items 3. b. through 3. e.
    g. At least two courses totaling 6 credits whose emphasis is on the period before 1800. This requirement may be fulfilled by the courses referenced in items 3. b. through 3. e.
    h. At least two courses totaling 6 credits whose emphasis is on the period after 1800. This requirement may be fulfilled by the courses referenced in items 3. b. through 3. e.


History Education (this program is in moratorium effective Summer 2023 through Summer 2025)

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in History Education

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in History Education.
The University's Tier II writing requirement for the History Education major is met by completing one of the following courses:  History 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, or 488.  Those courses are referenced in item 3.c. below.
2. Students in the History Education major are not required to complete the College of Social Science requirements referenced under the heading Graduation Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Degrees in the College of Social Science section of this catalog.
3. The following requirements for the major:
a. All of the following courses (22 credits):
HST 140 World History to 1500 4
HST 150 World History since 1500 4
HST 201 Historical Methods and Skills 3
HST 202 U.S. History to 1876 4
HST 203 U.S. History since 1876 4
HST 320 History of Michigan 3
b. One 300-400 level history course that is not on the United States. The course must be approved by the student's academic advisor and may not have been used to fulfill any other requirement.
c. One of the following courses (3 credits):
HST 480 Seminar in American History (W) 3
HST 481 Seminar in Ancient History (W) 3
HST 482 Seminar in Medieval History (W) 3
HST 483 Seminar in Modern European History (W) 3
HST 484 Seminar in African History (W) 3
HST 485 Seminar in Asian History (W) 3
HST 486 Seminar in Latin American History (W) 3
HST 487 Seminar in Comparative History (W) 3
HST 488 Seminar in International Relations (W) 3
d. Two 300-400 level history courses approved by the student's academic advisor. These courses may not be used to fulfill any other requirement.
4. All of the following courses (9 credits);
GEO 204 World Regional Geography 3
GEO 221 Introduction to Geographic Information 3
GEO 330 Geography of the United States and Canada 3
5. A secondary disciplinary teaching minor chosen from the list of approved secondary education minors for teacher certification. Refer to the Teacher Certification section of the Department of Teacher Education (20 to 26 credits)
6. All of the following courses (20 or 21 credits):
TE 101 Social Foundations in Justice and Equity in Education 3
TE 150 Reflections on Learning 3
TE 302 Learners and Learning in Contexts - Secondary (W) 4
TE 407 Teaching Subject Matter to Diverse Learners - Secondary (W) 5
TE 408 Crafting Teaching Practice - Secondary (W) 5
Students whose teaching major and minor are in different subject matter are also required to complete the following course:
TE 409 Crafting Teaching Practices in the Secondary Teaching Minor 1


History: Social Studies Education

The History: Social Studies Education program is a comprehensive teaching major leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Social Science. It is available for teacher certification and is only available to students pursuing teacher certification. Students who complete the requirements for this major and the requirements for teacher certification are recommended for a secondary teaching certificate in social studies. Persons with teacher certification in social studies are qualified to teach history, political science, geography, and economics.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in History: Social Studies Education

  1. The University requirements for bachelor’s degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in History: Social Studies Education.
    The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the History: Social Studies Education major is met by completing History 480 or 481 or 482 or 483 or 483 or 485 or 486 or 487 or 488.  Those courses are referenced in item 3. below.
  2. Students in the History: Social Studies Education major are not required to complete the College of Social Science requirements referenced under the heading Graduation Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Degrees in the College of Social Science section of this catalog.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
a. All of the following courses (43 credits):
EC 201 Introduction to Microeconomics 3
EC 202 Introduction to Macroeconomics 3
GEO 204 World Regional Geography 3
GEO 221 Introduction to Geographic Information 3
GEO 330 Geography of the United States and Canada 3
HST 140 World History to 1500 4
HST 150 World History since 1500 4
HST 201 Historical Methods and Skills 3
HST 202 U.S. History to 1876 4
HST 203 U.S. History since 1876 4
HST 320 History of Michigan 3
PLS 100 Introduction to American Politics 3
PLS 140 Introduction to Comparative Politics 3
b. One of the following courses (4 credits):
IAH 201 United States and the World (D) 4
IAH 202 Europe and the World (I) 4
IAH 203 Latin America and he World (I) 4
IAH 204 Asia and the World (I) 4
IAH 205 Africa and the World (I) 4
IAH 210 Middle East and the World (I) 4
c. One of the following courses (3 credits):
PLS 313 American Public Policy 3
PLS 320 Judicial Politics 3
PLS 321 Constitutional Law 3
PLS 324 Congress 3
PLS 325 The Presidency 3
d. One of the following courses (3 credits):
HST 480 Seminar in American History (W) 3
HST 481 Seminar in Ancient History (W) 3
HST 482 Seminar in Medieval History (W) 3
HST 483 Seminar in Modern European History (W) 3
HST 484 Seminar in African History (W) 3
HST 485 Seminar in Asian History (W) 3
HST 486 Seminar in Latin American History (W) 3
HST 487 Seminar in Comparative History (W) 3
HST 488 Seminar in International Relations (W) 3
HST 489 Seminar in Digital History (W) 3
e. Completion of the requirements for Teacher Certification in the Department of Teacher Education, which includes all of the following courses (36 credits):
CEP 240 Introduction to Exceptional Learners 3
TE 101 Social Foundations of Justice and Equity in Education 3
TE 102 Pedagogy and Politics of Justice and Equity in Education 3
TE 150 Reflections on Learning 3
TE 302 Literacy and Adolescent Learners in School and Community Contexts 3
TE 325 Clinical Experience in Social Studies Education I 3
TE 341 Teaching and Learning of (Bi)Multilingual Learners 3
TE 425 Clinical Experience in Social Studies Education II 3
TE 426 Seminar in Social Studies Education I 3
TE 427 Seminar in Social Studies Education II 3
TE 428 Student Teaching Internship in Social Studies Education 6

Minor in Defense Studies and Leadership

The Minor in Defense Studies and Leadership, which is administered by the Department of History, provides students with a broad perspective on the military with analysis of all service branches of the Armed Forces from a historical and social scientific perspective. It also prepares current cadets for active duty service.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University.  With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in the Department of History.

Requirements for the Minor in Defense Studies and Leadership

Students must complete 22 credits from the following:
1. One course from each of the following groups (4 to 6 credits):
a. AS 111 Foundation of the United States Air Force I 1
MS 110 Army Leadership and Officer Development 1
b. AS 112 Foundation of the United States Air Force II 1
MS 120 Introduction to Army Leadership and Problem-Solving 1
c. AS 211 The Evolution of USAF Air and Space Power I 1
MS 210 Values and Ethics of Army Leaders 2
d. AS 212 The Evolution of USAF Air and Space Power II 1
MS 220 Army Doctrine and Team Development 2
2. One of the following groups of courses (6 credits):
a. AS 321 Air Force Leadership Studies I 3
AS 322 Air Force Leadership Studies II 3
b. MS 310 Leading and Problem Solving in Army Units 3
MS 320 Army Small Unit Tactics and Leadership 3
3. One of the following groups of courses (6 credits):
a. AS 421 National Security Affairs 3
AS 422 National Security Affairs and Preparation for Active Duty 3
b. MS 410 Adaptive Army Leadership 3
MS 420 Army Leadership in a Complex World 3
4. One of the following courses (3 credits):
HST 304 The American Civil War 3
HST 326 United States Foreign Relations Since 1914 3
HST 328 Military History of the United States 1900-Present 3
HST 390 History of International Relations 3
HST 414 World War II: Causes, Conduct and Consequences 3
5. One of the following courses (3 credits):
CJ 422 Comparative and Historical Criminal Justice 3
CJ 439 Homeland Security 3
CJ 473 Comparative Constitutional Law 3
PLS 140 Introduction to Comparative Politics 3
PLS 344 Politics of Developing Areas 3
PLS 362 American Foreign Policy and National Security 3
PLS 363 International and Domestic Political Conflict 3
PSY 255 Industrial and Organizational Psychology 3
SOC 331 Political Sociology 3

Minor in History

The Minor in History, which is administered by the Department of History, provides foundational skills needed for the study of history, breadth of historical knowledge, and advanced study of one or more historical topics. Students obtain research, reasoning and writing skills that form the core of historical study and develop capacities to integrate knowledge from diverse historical subfields based on this common set of skills.

The minor is available as an elective to students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Arts degree in History, History Education, or Global History. With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to apply to the program should consult the undergraduate advisor in the Department of History.

Requirements for the Minor in History

Complete 15 credits in History as follows: 

  1. The following course (3 credits):
    HST    201    Historical Methods and Skills                                                                                                       3
  2. Complete 12 credits in History courses, of which 6 of those credits must be at the 300-400 level. A maximum of 3 credits in advanced placement or transfer credit may be used towards this requirement. Courses used in fulfillment of this requirement must be approved by the undergraduate advisor in the Department of History.