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Undergraduate History Programs

History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme.
― Mark Twain

Bachelor of Arts Degree in History

The University of South Alabama offers courses leading to the award of the Bachelor of Arts degree. For a description of these courses and the degree requirements, please see the University Bulletin's section on the Department of History.

Minor in History

Students majoring in other departments may select history as their minor. This minor requires 21 hours of courses as prescribed in the University Bulletin.

History Major- Four Year Plan   

HISTORY - SAMPLE 4 YEAR PLAN (2018-2019 USA Bulletin)

Fall - Year 1

Course                                         Course Description                                                                         Pre-requisite                    Credit Hours
CAS 100                                    First Year Experience - College Success                                                 2
EH 101* English Composition I     3
HY 101/ HY 121

History of Western Civilization I/ History of World Civilization I    

    3

Natural Science with Lab

      4
Foreign Language I       3
           Total: 15

Spring - Year 1

Course                                       Course Description                                                                            Pre-requisite                    Credit Hours
EH 102 or Honors                     English Composition II EH 101 or test  score            3
Math Course MA 110 or higher     3
Foreign Language II       3

Social/Behavioral Elective

      3
HY 102/ HY 122

History of Western Civilization II/ History of World Civilization II   

    3
        Total: 15

Fall - Year 2

Course                                       Course Description                                                                            Pre-requisite                     Credit Hours
HY 135                                    US History to 1877                                                                                                                                   3
Fine Arts Elective       3

Natural Science with

Lab

      4
English Literature   EH 102 or Honors   3
Humanities Elective       3
        Total: 16

Spring - Year 2

Course                                   Course Description                                                                              Pre-requisite                      Credit Hours
HY 136                                 US History Since 1877                                                                                                                                3
Humanities Elective       3
Minor Course       3
CA 110 Public Speaking     3

Social/Behavioral

Elective

      3
        Total: 15

Fall - Year 3

Course                                     Course Description                                                                            Pre-requisite                      Credit Hours
History Elective                     African, Asian, Latin American, or Middle Eastern History                                                               3
History Elective       3
Natural Science with Lab       4
Elective       3
Minor Course       3
        Total: 16

Spring - Year 3

Course                                   Course Description                                                                              Pre-requisite                      Credit Hours
History Elective                   300 level or higher                                                                                                                                   3
History Elective 300 level or higher     3
Minor Course       3
Minor Course       3
Elective       3
        Total: 15

Fall - Year 4

Course                                   Course Description                                                                                  Pre-requisite                  Credit Hours

HY 441/442/443/444

(all W classes too)              

History Research Seminar                                                                                                                     3

History Elective

300 level or higher      3

Minor Course

      3

Minor Course

      3

Elective

      3

 

      Total: 15

Spring - Year 4

Course                                    Course Description                                                                                 Pre-requisite                  Credit Hours
History Elective                    400 level                                                                                                                                                     3
History Elective       3
Minor Course       3
Elective       3
Elective       1
        Total: 13

Total degree hours: 120

All italicized courses meet general education requirements. 
*Students who earn an English ACT score of 27 or an SAT Reading score of 550 can opt out of EH 101.
** Must have one history elective and one literature elective. In addition, students must choose a second history or literature to complete a two-part sequence. History majors will complete a history sequence.

All Arts and Sciences majors require a minor between 18 and 24 hours. This plan incorporates a 21 hour minor. 

Two designated writing (W) courses are required with at least one course chosen from offerings in the student's major or minor. Courses carrying this required credit are identified in the University Bulletin by a (W) after the course title.

The Sample 4-year plan is designed as a guide for students preparing for their course selections. This information provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made in consultation with an advisor.  

 

  • Research Seminar:
    • In the spirit of understanding the Research Seminar as “doing history after learning history,” it should not be the student’s first 400-level course. It should be taken after the student has completed a couple of 400-level courses.
    • The Research Seminar ideally should be taken in the second semester of the junior year, or the first semester of the senior year. (If it is taken during the student’s last semester of the senior year, and the student fails the course, he or she will not be able to graduate on time.)
    • The Research Seminars- HY 441, HY 442, HY 443, HY 444- are also Writing Intensive (W), and therefore fulfill both the Department's requirement to have a research experience and the University's requirement to do a W class in your major. 

AP Credit in History 

 

AP World History 4 equals 3 credits HY 121

AP World History 5 equals 6 credits HY 121, 122

AP European History 4 or 5 equals 3 credits HY 102 

AP American History 4 equals 3 credits HY 136

AP American History 5 equals 6 credits HY 135, HY 136 

 

International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit in History


History of the Americas (Higher Level)  Score 5 equals 3 credits HY 135

History of Asia and Oceania (Higher Level) Score of 5 equals 3 credits HY 104 

History of Europe (Higher Level) Score of 5 equals 3 credits HY 102