History

Mission

The objectives of the Department of History and Philosophy are to bring the study of the past to bear on the present; to demonstrate that knowledge and experience are dependent upon particular historical contexts; to expose students to a variety of cultures in historical context; to assist students to develop research and writing skills; to enrich students' appreciation and enjoyment of the richness of human endeavors; and to prepare students for a productive and rewarding professional life following the completion of their studies.

Major Description

The major and minor in History offer students the opportunity to study the past in connection with the present. Students combine courses focused on specific geographic areas with elective course work from a variety of periods and areas of the world, preparing students for a range of career paths including education, graduate school, law, museum work and business. The history and philosophy department works closely with the education department to prepare students for teaching history and social studies at the secondary school level.

Curricular Requirements

	credits
CAS Core Requirements	42-43
	Credits
Program Required Courses	33-43
Two of the following three options:
Option I
HIS 222 - US History: Contact through the Civil War	3
HIS 223 - US History: Reconstruction to Present or	3
Option II
HIS 230 - Continuity/Change from Ancient to Renaissance	3
HIS 231 - Continuity/Change in Modern Europe or	3
Option III
HIS 240 - Colonial Latin America	3
HIS 241 - Modern Latin America	3
Program Required Option Sub-Total	12
Each of the Following:
HIS 290 - History Hands On	3
HIS 450 - Senior Thesis	3
History Electives	15
Program Minimum Required Total Credits	33
Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits)	variable
Minimum Required Total Credits	120

Secondary Education Certification

The department offers history majors the opportunity to select all of the EDU secondary education certification courses (listed below) as their electives in order to become middle school or high school teachers (grades 7-12) in the area of social studies. While providing a solid foundation in history, this program includes extensive coursework in education, which, when combined with the secondary teaching internship, will meet standards for State of Maine teacher certification upon completion of the degree program. This program is approved by the State of Maine Board of Education.

education courses	Credits
EDU 105 - Exploring Teaching	3
EDU 110- 21st Century Learning Through Technology	3
EDU 202 - Curriculum & Assessment	3
EDU 220 - Exceptionality in the Classroom	3
EDU 385- Diversity and Social Justice	3
EDU 382- Literacy Research-Based Instructional Methods	3
EDU 438 - Methods of Teaching Secondary Ed Social Studies	3
EDU 488 - Secondary Education Practicum	3
EDU 498 - Secondary Internship	12
EDU 405- Inclusive Methods and Data Based Decision Making	3
Total Education Credits	39

See Education for more details.

Academic and Technical Standards

A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all history courses used toward the major.
A minimum grade of C must be achieved in HIS 290 to be used toward the major.

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of their history program, students will be able to:

Demonstrate an ability to locate and use reliable primary and secondary historical sources
Demonstrate competence with Chicago style in notes and bibliography
Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate and use evidence to support an interpretation
Communicate ideas clearly orally and in writing
Demonstrate a working knowledge of the historical content of two areas of the world

Minor

A student in another department may, with the permission of the department chair, earn a minor within the department upon the completion of 18 hours of course work in History.

Honors Program

We offer qualified students the option of participating in our and graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member.

Transfer Credit

See Undergraduate Admissions.

Admissions