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Academic Course Map for History (B.A.)
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Arts degee in History (HIST) at CU Boulder trains students to study the past, in all of its complexity, to better understand our contemporary world and the forces that created it. Students learn to analyze change over time and to use archival and other primary source evidence to build interpretations that explain change. In seeking to understand historical subjects on their own terms, and by appreciating the diverse perspectives of past actors, students of history develop empathy even as they rigorously engage with the ethical dimensions of past human decisions and actions. When students understand the past, they recognize their power to shape the present and the future.
In the complex and contentious world in which we live, the study of history provides the tools for thoughtful public citizenship and cultivates the interpersonal skills and cultural awareness essential to heightening civic discourse and engagement. As importantly, students of history gain valuable skills that prepare them for careers in many fields. In a knowledge economy, employers increasingly want employees who can write and speak clearly and persuasively, who can read deeply and critically, who can think independently and ethically, who can do complex research and make cogent evidence-based arguments, who can locate relevant sources and discern good information from bad, who understand how and why change occurs, who are culturally literate and understand the complex world in which we live, and who can manage the diversity of the modern workplace. These are skills you will gain through the study of history, and they are highly valued by today’s employers.
Admission Requirements
Students who begin at a Colorado Community College can transfer directly to CU Boulder to finish their degree in any of the programs offered by the College of Arts and Sciences. Please see the CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences’ Colorado Community College webpage for more information detailed information admissions requirements for students transfering from a Colorado Community College.
Transfer Recommendations
To graduate in a 4-year overall time frame, it is important that students follow the recommended schedule below. Students who wish to continue their education at the community college beyond the number of credits specified below should explore with both community college and CU Boulder staff how their graduation timeline, COF stipend, and financial aid will be affected.
Suggested Four-Year Course Plan for the History (HIST) major
This is a suggested guide of coursework only and is subject to change. Always consult your academic advisor for graduation planning purposes. Depending on a student’s situation, a different plan might be more applicable.
Your community college must offer an Associate of Arts degree with Designation (DwD) in History to use this transfer guide.
Community College (first two years)
Fall Semester 1
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 121/1021* | English Composition I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| HIST 121/1210 | US History to Reconstruction (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| MAT 120/1240 | Mathematics for the Liberal Arts (GT-MA1) | 3 |
| One Guaranteed Transfer Social & Behavioral Science course (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, or GT- SS3) | 3 | |
| Transfer Elective** (not HIS)
|
3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 |
Spring Semester 1
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 122/1022 | English Composition II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| HIST 122/1220 | US History since the Civil War (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| One additional Guaranteed Transfer History Course (GT-HI1)*** | 3 | |
| Guaranteed Transfer Arts & Humanities Course (GT- AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3 or GT-AH4) | 3 | |
| Transfer Electives (not HIS) | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 16 |
Fall Semester 2
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIS 101/1310 | Western Civilization Antiquity-1650: (GT-HI1) | 3 |
|
COM 115/1150 OR COM 125/1250 OR COM 220/2300 |
Public Speaking OR Interpersonal Communication (GT-SS3) OR Intercultural Communication (GT-SS3) |
3 |
| Guaranteed Transfer Arts & Humanities Course (GT- AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3 or GT-AH4) | 3 | |
| Guaranteed Transfer Natural & Physical Sciences Course (GT-SC1) | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 13 |
Spring Semester 2
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 102/1320 | Western Civilization: 1650-Present (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| Guaranteed Transfer Arts & Humanities Course (GT- AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3 or GT-AH4) | 3 | |
| One Guaranteed Transfer Social & Behavioral Science course (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, or GT- SS3) | 3 | |
| Guaranteed Transfer Natural & Physical Sciences Course (GT-SC1 or GT-SC2) | 3 | |
| Transfer Elective (not HIS) | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 16 |
Total credits at your community college: 60
Completion of the above four semesters of coursework fulfills the requirements for an Associate of Arts Degree with a Designation in History at most community colleges and fulfills the General Education requirements at CU Boulder.
CU Boulder (last two years)
Fall Semester 3
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 1800 | Introduction to Global History | 3 |
| 1000-level World Areas HIST course** | 3 | |
| HIST 3020 | Historical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
| Non-major Elective course | 3 | |
| Non-major Elective course | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 |
Spring Semester 3
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| 4000-level European HIST course | 3 |
| 4000-level U.S HIST course | 3 |
| 4000-level World Areas or Global HIST course | 3 |
| Non-major Elective course | 3 |
| Upper-division Non-major Elective course | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
Fall Semester 4
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| 3000-level HIST Senior Seminar | 3 |
| 4000-level World Areas or Global HIST course | 3 |
| Upper-division Non-major Elective course | 3 |
| Upper-division Non-major Elective course | 3 |
| Upper-division Non-major Elective course | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
Spring Semester 4
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| 4000-level HIST Major Elective Course | 3 |
| 4000-level HIST Major Elective Course | 3 |
| Upper-division Non-major Elective course | 3 |
| Upper-division Non-major Elective course | 3 |
| Upper-division Non-major Elective course | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
Total credits at CU Boulder: 60
Completion of all eight semesters of coursework listed above fulfills the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in History at CU Boulder.
*For community college courses, the first course number is previous to summer 2022 and the second course number is the new number starting in summer 2022.
**Electives cannot be additional HIS courses.
***CU Boulder strongly recommends that students take one of the following courses as their additonal GT-HI1 History course if offered at their community college: HIST 243/2610 History of Modern China, HIS 244/2200 History of Latin America, HIS 246/2210 History of Mexico, HIS 249/2500 HIstory of Islamic Civilization, or HIS 259/2510 Modern Middle East.
****Students who were able to take HIST 243/2610, HIS 244/2200, HIS 246/2210, HIS 249/2500, or HIS 259/2510, as their additional GT-HI1 course at their community college, can take an elective instead of a 1000-level World Areas HIST course.