The study of history involves complex and creative inquiry, critical analysis, and communication skills. Through the three “C’s, our program prepares its students for their careers, personal lives, and engaged citizenship. We offer a flexible curriculum that allows students to pursue areas of interest in the specialties offered by departmental faculty, as well as to pursue an academic minor and public history internships that can enhance their professional knowledge and skills. Our program stands for:
- Complex and creative Inquiry: We approach history as a creative act, one in which historians imagine the interpretive possibilities that exist within the world of our sources. We approach history as a dynamic and rigorous interdisciplinary craft.
- Critical Analysis: We approach history as set of intellectual skills that enable our students to develop a deep appreciation for evidence as the basis for all knowledge. Through our rigorous curriculum, our students are well-prepared to pursue evidence-based answers to questions. Our curriculum encourages students to think critically and constructively about past and present issues as the basis for responsible citizenship, and discuss such issues civilly and respectfully.
- Communication: History done well is a well-articulated and engaging story of the past. We approach history as necessitating excellent oral, visual, and written communication skills up to that task of crafting narratives of cause and effect, or continuity and change over time.
Requirements for Graduation
To be eligible for graduation, students majoring in History must complete a minimum of 120 credits, achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher, satisfy the College’s residency requirements, and complete the General Education Requirements of the College. A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for First Year Seminar and all courses taken as part of Foundations. Courses used to complete General Education Requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.
The General Education Requirements of the college require students to successfully complete First Year Seminar, Foundations (FCO 103 will be a required co-requisite with FCO 105 for students who have a high school GPA below 3.20), Disciplinary Perspectives, and a Constellation. Students who enter the college with 30 credit hours completed will not take a First Year Seminar course and therefore must take an additional 3 credits for graduation. Transfer students that are awarded 60 or more credits upon acceptance to York College will not be required to complete a Constellation.
In addition, students majoring in history must maintain a 2.0 grade point average in the course requirements of the major and receive a grade of 2.0 or better in all History courses.
Note: Students majoring in History may not double major in Public History, nor may they minor in American History, World History, or History.
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