Q:
Why should I major in this subject?
A:
As a marvelous intellectual pursuit in itself, the study of history should be an integral part of any liberal arts education. Furthermore, a major in history helps students develop analytical skills, skills that are now at an increasing premium; in a culture where the present is often taken to be the norm, the ability to think historically and critically is a decisive advantage. Our principal goals in the undergraduate classroom are, accordingly, to develop the intellectual breadth and to deepen the analytical skills of our students. History majors also gain valuable expertise in research and writing that will serve them well in their future endeavors. The History Department has moved vigorously to expand and reinforce its undergraduate program, and our curriculum is rich and deep, covering all areas of the world and most periods of written history. Our courses explore various methodologies, a wide range of ways of writing history, and different approaches to the past. We emphasize no particular ‘brand’ of history, no single interpretative model. Students thus have a great deal of flexibility in selecting courses that attract their interest and meet their particular intellectual needs.
Q:
What are some useful first courses that I should take in order to get to know this field of study? When should I take them?
A:
Most history courses have no prerequisites, thus you may start with almost any course that interests you. We advise, however, that you move from the general to the particular: from broad survey courses to more specialized lectures to seminars. The department offers a series of 1000-level lecture courses that are particularly appropriate for students with little or no background, and for first- and second-year students contemplating a major in history. These courses cover ancient history (W1002, W1004, W1010, W1020), the European Middle Ages (W1061, BC1062), Early Modern and Modern Europe (BC1101, 1302), Jewish History (W1600), and American History (W1401, BC1402); history faculty regularly teach similar introductory surveys offered officially by other departments or programs, such as African Civilizations, EALAC, and MEALAC. Students with a strong background in a particular field or area could start with a relevant 3000-level lecture course.
Q:
What are the major requirements?
A:
Majors are required to complete 29 credits in history. You are also asked to specialize in a geographic or temporal field (e.g., Twentieth-Century U.S. History, European Diplomatic History, Roman History, or Korean and Japanese History). A specialization does not appear on the student's transcript but provides an organizing principle for the program. You will need at least 13 credits within this specialization. In addition, you will need to take at least one course in each of the following groups that does not include the area of specialization: Premodern (before 1750); Modern Europe (including Russia); Africa, Asia, Middle East; and the Americas. The course catalog lists how courses are classified. Finally, you must take at least two seminars, one of which in your specialization.
Concentrators must obtain 21 history credits. You must also take 2 courses from 2 separate groups that do not include the area of specialization. There is no seminar requirement.
|
|
MAJORS
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CONCENTRATORS
|
|
29 |
21
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| Inside Specialization |
13 or more
|
9 or more
|
Outside Specialization
|
1 course in each of the 3 groups outside specialization |
1 course in 2 groups outside specialization |
Seminars Required
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2 (at least 1 in specialization)
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None |
For additional information on the particulars and possible changes, you are referred to our handbook, History at Columbia: A Guide for Undergraduate. It is available on the web and in printed form from the Department, 611 Fayerweather Hall.
Q:
Why do the requirements take this form?
A:
The requirements of the
undergraduate program are intended to encourage students to do two
things: (1) develop the deeper knowledge of the history of a particular
time and/or place that allows for more advanced study; and (2) take a
wide enough range of courses to gain a good sense of the full scope of
history as a discipline (breadth). The design is simple and gives room
for flexibility.
Q:
Whom do I speak to about this major? How does the department structure its faculty for advising purposes?
A:
Advising in the History
Department is the responsibility of the Undergraduate Education
Committee (UNDED), a group of six faculty members drawn from a range of
specialties and chaired by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Members of UNDED are available throughout the year for consultation on
all aspects of the undergraduate program and experience. They approve
the Plan of Study form that each major and concentrator must fill out
at the beginning of the year, and they hold additional office hours
during the registration period so that students will have ample
opportunity to consult with faculty about academic program planning. In
addition, members of UNDED direct students who need more specialized
advising toward other faculty members in the department. For questions
about requirements and procedures, students may also consult the
Undergraduate Administrator, who is available during the regular
business hours of the department office.
Q:
When can I see UNDED Advisor?
A:
During their regular
office hours, available here, or listed in on the bulletin board outside the department office.
Q:
To whom should I direct initial questions by email and telephone?
A:
Please address all
initial questions to the Undergraduate Administrator, Lizzie Pope, 611 Fayerweather Hall, 212-854-2573 egp2007 [at] columbia.edu.
Q:
What is a Departmental Representative?
A:
The Departmental
Representative (DR; there is one each for Columbia College and the
School of General Studies) makes final decisions on all matters
concerning the major or concentration. The DR for Columbia College is
normally the DUS.
Q:
When should I declare my major?
A:
Students normally declare
a major in History in the spring semester of the sophomore year.
Although there is no prerequisite for declaring the major, we encourage
students to take courses during the first and second years as a way of
exploring the major and preparing for more advanced courses in the
department.
Q:
What research opportunities exist in or through the department?
A:
Professors may, from time
to time, have independent funding for research assistants and may also
in some cases use work-study students in such a capacity. The most
compelling research opportunity available to you, however, is the one
you design for yourself if you choose to write a senior thesis. Even if
you do not choose to write a thesis, you will most likely have the
opportunity to write independent research papers in the context of your
regular coursework, particularly the seminars.
We strongly encourage our majors to write a senior thesis, a research
paper of some 35–50 pages. Usually, this takes place in the context of
one of the year-long thesis seminars, but the thesis can also be done
on an individual basis. The latter option requires that you identify a
faculty member willing to sponsor your thesis and provide you with
guidance throughout the process of researching and writing it.
Q:
Will study abroad enhance this major?
A:
While study abroad is
itself an extraordinary educational experience, it enhances the major
because of the insights it provides into different national and
international perspectives, something we very much encourage.
Opportunities for language study also provide students with the skills
to do research projects (such as a senior thesis) based on a wider
variety of primary source materials. To ensure that your program of
study abroad both complements your major and integrates well with major
requirements, you should consult with a member of UNDED to review your
plans.
Q:
I am going abroad for a semester...what do I need to do?
A:
If you are planning to go
abroad, especially in your first semester as a history major, you
should consult a member of the UNDED before your departure. Students
should keep in mind that seminar requirements must be fulfilled at
Columbia.
Q:
I need to receive credit towards my History Major for a class I took at another college...what steps do I need to take?
A:
If you are a History
Major and are seeking credit towards the major, you will need to meet
with the Departmental Representative AFTER you have completed the
course(s) in question. You will need to bring copies of the course
syllabi, reading lists, and completed course work to the meeting.
Students other than majors and concentrators should consult their
respective class deans for transfer credits.
Q:
How might a sample track or course of study look?
A:
Ideally, in your first
and second year, you will have the opportunity to take 1000- and
3000-level lecture courses and to begin to identify an area of
specialization. You could then take seminars, additional specialized
lectures, and methodological courses in your junior year with an eye
toward writing a senior thesis and completing distributional
requirements in your final year. We realize, however, that various
factors—the need to fulfill College core requirements, or decisions to
study abroad or pursue a second major—may make this track difficult,
thus there are no fixed “tracks” in the history major. In general,
however, you should keep in mind the following things in planning a
your program: 1) You will get more out of a seminar if you have had
previous coursework (such as a lecture course) in the relevant field.
2) Your work on a senior thesis will be more productive if you have
already had some experience in writing a research paper, as in a
seminar. 3) Methodological courses such as The Historian’s Craft
(W4900) are excellent preparation for research for seminars and for the
senior thesis. 4) You should make every effort to take at least one of
the two required seminars in the junior year, to allow yourself more
flexibility in course selection in the senior year.
Q:
What counts as a history course?
A:
Courses in the History
Departments of Columbia or Barnard will count for the purposes of
meeting requirements for a major or concentration. Courses taught by
historians outside the History Department will also count as history
courses. Courses taken through study abroad programs will be evaluated
according to syllabi and written work for those classes.
Q:
Are History Majors still required to take 12 points in related course credits?
A:
No. Related courses are
no longer required.
Q:
How does one receive departmental honors?
A:
Honors are awarded on the
basis of a high average in history courses (minimum GPA of 3.6) and an
excellent senior thesis. Note that the writing of a senior thesis is
necessary, but not sufficient, for an award of departmental honors.
Normally, no more than 10 percent of the graduating majors receive
departmental honors.
Q:
What awards and prizes are sponsored by the department?
A:
- Charles A. Beard Prize, for a history senior thesis of
distinction in any historical field and period
- Chanler Historical Prize, for the best essay submitted by a
senior history major on a topic dealing with the history of civil
government in America
- Albert Marion Elsberg Prize, for a student with sophomore,
junior, or senior standing who has demonstrated excellence in modern
history
- The Lily Prize (donated by James P. Shenton in memory of his
mother), for the best senior essay in history on a non-U.S. topic
- Garrett Mattingly Prize, for a history senior thesis of
distinction in any historical field and period
- Edwin Robbins Summer Research Fellowship, a stipend awarded
to two junior history majors for summer research on a senior essay
project
History students should also be aware of the following prizes:
- Alan J. Willens Memorial Prize, for the best seminar paper
on a contemporary American political problem
- Carl B. Boyer Prize in the History of Science, for the best
essay on any topic in the history of science or mathematics
Nomination and submission guidelines, as well as information
about additional prizes of interest to history students, will be found
in the Undergraduate Handbook.
Q:
Are there any student clubs, committees, and/or activities offered within or through the department?
A:
The Undergraduate History Council (UHC) is a group of five
undergraduates elected as representatives by history majors and
concentrators. In addition to serving as student advisors to the
Undergraduate Education Committee, they organize a number of
independent activities intended to improve undergraduates’ educational
experiences in the department. Council members act as peer advisors for
fellow students, schedule events (such as informal discussions with
faculty and writing workshops), and award prizes to teaching assistants
for superior teaching. While council members can always be contacted
individually via e-mail, the council as a group can be reached at ugrad-historycouncil@columbia.edu. UNDED regularly sponsors
additional events for prospective and current majors and concentrators,
such as faculty talks and roundtables.
Q:
What career opportunities follow upon study in this field?
A:
Employers from a
remarkably broad range of areas know the quality of the Columbia
History Department and know that students with such a background
possess the analytical skills and critical sensibilities to work almost
anywhere. Consequently, you will find Columbia history majors pursuing
careers in the most extraordinary and varied places: in finance,
medicine, law, teaching, scientific research, international relations,
journalism... In fact, you will find careers in the most extraordinary
and varied places.
Q:
Whom should I contact about graduate study in this field?
A:
Generally, it is best to
consult a faculty member who specializes in the specific area of
history you intend to study at the graduate level, although members of
UNDED can also provide advice. If you are interested in graduate study
at Columbia, please contact the Graduate Secretary, who is available
during the regular business hours of the department office.
Q:
Where is the History Department Office located and what are its hours?
A:
611 Fayerweather Hall (on
the third floor above entrance level). Office hours are Monday through
Friday from 9:00AM-5:00PM during the Academic Year.
Q:
Where can I find a list of faculty office hours, telephone numbers, an other information about the history department faculty?
A:
A list of office hours is
posted outside the History Department (611 Fayerweather Hall) and online.
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