History Major

The Department of History offers you the opportunity to understand the human social condition through the systematic study of the human past. We offer a variety of courses with both regional and thematic concentrations.

Interpreting the past will prepare you for the future. Courses in history will provide you with the traditions of a liberal education as well as foundations for professional training in fields such as law, business, environmental affairs, historic preservation, public administration, and government.

By completing the History B.A. program, you will achieve the following:

  • Build historical knowledge
  • Develop historical methods
  • Recognize the complex and provisional nature of historical knowledge
  • Apply the range of skills it takes to decode the historical record because of its incomplete, complex and contradictory nature
  • Create historical arguments and narratives
  • Use historical perspective in the practice of active citizenship

Required Courses

The History Major Requirements include a minimum of 36 credits as outlined below. This includes 6 credits of Introductory Core Courses; 6 credits in Method and Research Courses; and 24 credits in History Concentration Courses at the 200 level or higher.

Introductory Core Courses (6 credits)

It is recommended to take core history courses as part of the IU Indianapolis General Education Core.

History Core Courses (select one course from list A and one course from list B in residence at IU Indianapolis)

List A:

  • HIST-H 105: American History I (3 cr.)
  • HIST-H 108: Perspectives on the World to 1800 (3 cr.)
  • HIST-H 113: History of Western Civilization I (3 cr.)

List B:

  • HIST-H 106: American History II (3 cr.)
  • HIST-H 109: Perspectives on the World since 1800 (3 cr.)
  • HIST-H 114: History of Western Civilization II (3 cr.)

Method and Research Courses (6 credits)

Methods Course (3 credits)
HIST-H 217: The Nature of History (3 cr.)

Research Capstone (3 credits)
HIST-J 495: Proseminar for History Majors (3 cr.)

History Concentration Courses (24 credits)

History Concentration courses must be at the 200 level or higher.

Core Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in History (HIST) requires satisfactory completion of the following:

  • A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for a (B.A/B.S.) degree from the IU School of Liberal Arts.
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) is required for graduation.
  • A minimum of 30 credit hours must be completed after formal admission to IU Indianapolis.
  • A minimum of 21 credit hours of major coursework must be completed in residence in the IU School of Liberal Arts. Course work completed on an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program counts as residential credit.
  • A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in each major course.
  • Once a course has been applied toward one requirement, it cannot be used to satisfy a second requirement, except where explicitly stated otherwise. In addition, except in cases of variable title courses, internships, and other special courses, no course will be counted more than once toward graduation.
  • Students are required to have 42 credit hours in 300-400 level coursework including courses in their major. Of the 42 advanced credits, 9 credit hours must be 300-400 level coursework outside the first Liberal Arts major field of study and from the School of Liberal Arts. Students seeking dual degrees are exempt from completing 9 credits hours in 300-400 level coursework outside their major and from the School of Liberal Arts.

Transfer Students

Not all previous courses meet the required departmental guidelines. It is strongly recommended that transfer students meet with an Undergraduate Advisor in order to avoid conflicts and missing important courses, which may delay your graduation.

If you find that your previous courses do not meet the 200-level equivalency, you should complete the 200-level courses as early as possible after transferring to IU Indianapolis. Be advised that it is assumed by instructors of 300/400-level courses that you have completed ENG-W270 and know how to write a research paper.

Degree Map

To help you guide your four year college journey, consult your degree map for a snapshot of classes you will be taking to finish your degree to completion. Find your degree map choosing your Start Term: