Requirements for
History Majors and Minors

Students desiring to major in History have two options.

1. The traditional History major requires a minimum of 36 credits and prepares the student for a variety of career options. It is the major a student should choose if he/she is interested in going to graduate school in History. The following courses are required. Please consult the course descriptions for more information about each course:
   • HIST 140 (2 credits)
   • one European course (4 credits)
   • one American course (4 credits)
   • one pre-1500 course (4 credits)
   • one non-Western course (4 credits)
   • HIST 495 (4 credits)
   • electives (14 credits)

   HIST 140 should be taken as early as possible, since it is a foundational course in how we actually do history. No more than two different sections of HIST 200 may be counted toward the history major. Students may count no more than three of the following courses toward the major or minor: HIST 130, HIST 131, HIST 160, HIST 161, and either IDS 171 or IDS 172.

2. The second major is for students who want to teach on the secondary level. This major was designed in cooperation with Hope's Education Department to be certain that students will meet all requirements of the Michigan Department of Education for teacher certification. Students interested in this major should check with the Education Department for full information. Courses required for this major are:
   • HIST 140 (2 credits)
   • HIST 160 (4 credits)
   • HIST 161 (4 credits)
   • HIST 175 (2 credits)
   • HIST 495 (4 credits)
   • one European course (4 credits)
   • one pre-1500 course (4 credits)
   • one non-Western course (4 credits)
   • electives (8 credits)

   No more than two different sections of HIST 200 may be counted toward this major.

Requirements for the Minor

The department offers a 20-credit minor, with the following requirements:

• HIST 140 (2 credits)
• one American course (4 credits)
• one European course (4 credits)
• one pre-1500 course (4 credits)
• one non-Western course (4 credits)

No more than one HIST 200 course may be counted toward the minor. Students may count no more than three of the following courses toward the major or minor: HIST 130, HIST 131, HIST 160, HIST 161, and either IDS 171 or IDS 172. Students who want certification for a minor for teaching should check with the Education Department to be certain that their choice of courses meets state requirements.