HY_BA - History

About this Program

• College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Degree: Bachelor of Arts
• Specialization: Legal History
• Credits for Degree: 120
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To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

History students graduate as powerful thinkers, capable of synthesizing information and presenting compelling narratives and persuasive arguments. Whether examining archival records or collaborating on public history projects, students learn to connect historical insights to broader societal questions.

The program emphasizes both intellectual depth and practical application. Experiential learning opportunities, such as contributing to our undergraduate research journal, holding internships, writing a senior thesis, and studying abroad, foster personal and intellectual growth. The History program builds skills that not only deepen historical analysis but also prepare students for an astonishing range of rewarding careers.

The history major focuses on the development of three related skill sets critical to personal and professional success in today’s complex world:

WRITING

History is a writing-intensive discipline. Although assignments vary by course, faculty teach a set of critical skills and research techniques that will help them gather and analyze sources and then marshal the evidence in the presentation of coherent historical arguments.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Students learn to evaluate and synthesize course materials and bring critical engagement to both the classroom and written work.

ORAL COMMUNICATION

The major places significant emphasis on effective oral communication and developing the ability to make cogent arguments and deploy evidence fairly and effectively. Students contribute actively in the classroom and hone their oral communication abilities through discussions, debates, role playing, and presentations.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR

All history majors must complete a minimum of 36 credits in history with minimum grades of C. History majors may enroll in a maximum of three history courses per semester.

Majors must take a minimum of 21 credits of history at UF.

Required Major Coursework

¹

AMH 4930 / AFH 4930 / ASH 4930 / EUH 4930 / HIS 4930 / LAH 4930 / WOH 4930 is the capstone course of the major and normally taken in the senior year, although students who plan to write an honors thesis are encouraged to take the course as juniors. In this seminar, students produce a substantial research paper based on primary source research. Enrollment in the research seminar is restricted to majors. The History Research Seminar must be taken at UF.

²

Within the major electives, students must meet the following regional distribution requirements:

• at least 9 credits (three courses) in American history (AMH) and European history (EUH), with at least one course in AMH, one course in EUH, and one course in AMH or EUH
• at least 9 credits (three courses) in AFH, ASH, LAH, or WOH, with a maximum of two courses under any one prefix.
• The history research seminar may count toward the regional distribution, depending on the prefix of the course taken (AFH, AMH, ASH, EUH, LAH, or WOH).

Only exam (AICE, AP, CLEP, or IB) credits with course equivalencies for UF courses count toward the requirements for the major and then only at the 2000 level. AMH L000, EUH L000, and WOH L000 do not count toward the major.

COMBINATION DEGREE PROGRAM

Majors who are interested in advanced training are encouraged to consider the 4/1 combination degree program.
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RESEARCH

Majors are encouraged to consider advanced research opportunities in history. The department places special emphasis on participation in the History Honors Program.
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