History

Major: History
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 181.0
Co-op Options: Three Co-op (Five years); One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 54.0101
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-3093

About the Program

The history program reflects the strengths of Drexel University, including specialization in transnational history and in the history of science, technology and the environment. A series of required courses in history build skills in research and interpretation of the past while elective courses within and outside the history program allow students to shape their curriculum to meet their needs and interests. Our history graduates go to graduate school in history, to professional schools in law, medicine, and business, and to work in business, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

We apply Drexel's experiential, research-intensive approach to the discipline of history. Using the extensive historical resources of Philadelphia, the region, and the digital world, students develop a profound understanding of history and the ways it is made. We also encourage students to enrich their education through co-op, study abroad, and summer research projects working alongside department faculty.

Degree Offered

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) provides a course of study that includes foreign language courses and a broad grounding in the liberal arts, with flexibility for students to choose courses to fulfill humanities, social science, math, and science requirements that will contribute to their overall educational and career plans.

The Minor in History allows students in other majors to explore the historical background of their discipline, to better understand the origins of the contemporary world, and to build the knowledge and skills needed to understand the development of human societies over time and to understand historical episodes into their proper contexts. The minor in History is highly flexible and allows students to choose those History courses which appeal to them and which will contribute to their broader education. To complete the minor, students must take a total of six History courses (24.0 credits), five of which must be at the 200-level or above.

The Minor in War and Society is an interdisciplinary minor offered by history in which students examine the history and politics of warfare, the military, and related institutions. In the Minor in the History of Capitalism, students explore capitalism and the emergence of the modern world economy from a global, historical perspective.

Additional Information

For more information about this program, please visit the Department of History website or contact:

Jonathan Seitz, PhD
Assistant Department Head
Teaching Professor of History
jwseitz@drexel.edu

Degree Requirements (BA)

*

Any Biology (BIO), Chemistry (CHEM), Nutrition (NFS), Physics (PHYS), Geoscience (GEO), Environmental Science (ENVS), or Physics-Environmental Science (PHEV).

**

These courses must be taken in sequence.

***

Only 200-level and above HIST courses will fulfill this this requirement.

†

Thirty-three (33.0) credits is the minimum allowed. Variations in concentration requirements and actual elective choices may result in earning more free elective credits.

Optional History Concentrations

Students may select one of the two following concentrations in the History BA, or they may elect not to undertake a concentration. The courses in the required history distribution list may count toward the 28.0 credits in a concentration; the courses in the required core sequence may not count toward the 28.0 credits in the concentration.

History of Science, Technology, and Environment Concentration

Global History Concentration

†

Courses which may fulfill the global engagement requirement include designated travel-integrated courses, study abroad courses (with approval), Global Classroom courses in history, or independent study courses (with approval.)

††

In addition to the required CoAS Foundation Requirements foreign language courses (two courses, including completion of a language through 201) in one language, students in the global history concentration must take at least one courses in a second foreign language.

†††

 At least two courses must be 300-level and above.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study (BA)

History BA - No concentration

4 year, no co-op

History BA - no concentration

4 year, 1 co-op

History BA - no concentration

5 year, 3 co-ops

*

Must be 200-level or above. 

**

Must be 200-level or above. May not be HIST 201.

***

 See degree requirements.

†

 At least four core courses must be 200-level or above.

History BA - Science, Technology, and Environment Concentration

4 year, no co-op

4 year, 1 co-op

 5 year, 3 co-ops

*

 Must be 200-level or above.

**

 Must be 200-level or above. May not be HIST 201.

***

 See degree requirements.

History BA - Global History Concentration

4 year, no co-op

4 year, one co-op

5 year, three co-ops

*

 Must be 200-level or above.

**

 Two must be 200-level or above.

***

 Must be 200-level or above. May not be HIST 201.

†

 See degree requirements.

Co-Op/Career Opportunities

Co-Op Experiences

History majors have a wide variety of co-op experiences from which to choose. Business and public utilities offer many possibilities, and local, state, and federal governments; museums and archives; and law firms present many additional interesting co-op placements. Pre-law students, for example, are especially eager to see the inside of a law office, whether the co-op job they receive is clerical or a more challenging paralegal assignment. These practical experiences in the “real” world can reinforce the lessons of the classroom, sharpen skills, and establish important contacts. Sample co-op positions include:

• Law clerk/paralegal, Joe Davidson, Attorney-at-Law, Philadelphia
• Research analyst, Legislative Office for Research Liaison, Harrisburg, PA
• Legislative intern, Corporate Public Affairs Division, Philadelphia Electric Company
• Assistant lobbyist, Government Relations Office, Drexel University
• Education intern, Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Researcher, Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
• Assistant, Office of the Governor, Harrisburg, PA

Career Opportunities

The flexible programs allow students to shape a curriculum that meets their needs, whether they are preparing for the business world, graduate school in history or political science, an MBA or other business program, or law school.

History Faculty

Emeritus Faculty