History - IAI Major Course Recommendations

Major Course Recommendations (19-26 semester credits)

History Core Course 12 semester credits

Option 1

H2 904-United States History I / S2 900-United States History I (3 semester credits)
H2 905-United States History II / S2 901-United States History II (3 semester credits)
and H2 901-History of Western Civilization I / S2 902-History of Western Civilization I (3 semester credits)
H2 902-History of Western Civilization II / S2 903-History of Western Civilization II (3 semester credits)
Or Option 2
H2 904-United States History I / S2 900-United States History I (3 semester credits)
H2 905-United States History II /S2 901-United States History II (3 semester credits)
and
H2 906 - World History I / S2 912N : World History I (3 semester credits)
H2 907 - World History II / S2 913N : World History II (3 semester credits)

Because institutions organize historical periods differently, students are strongly encouraged to complete history course sequences at the same institution before transferring.

Important Note: Students majoring in History are encouraged to fulfill the Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences portions of the General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) with courses outside the History major whenever possible. This allows history courses to be applied toward major requirements rather than general education requirements. Students should consult regularly with an academic advisor when selecting general education courses, as these choices may affect their degree plan—particularly for those pursuing History Education and teacher licensure.

A Single Foreign Language up to 12 semester credits

Some institutions require proficiency through the second, third, or fourth semester of a single foreign language for a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in History, while others require foreign language study for all majors within the College of Arts and Sciences. Students should review the foreign language requirements of their intended transfer institutions and complete any required coursework before transferring. In many cases, two years of study in the same foreign language in high school may satisfy the equivalent of two semesters of college-level language study.

Other Recommendations

Students who have selected a minor are encouraged to complete one or more courses in that field before transfer. Those planning to pursue high school (grades 6–12) teacher licensure should consider completing professional education courses recommended for students pursuing a teaching degree in History secondary education. Students should work closely with an advisor when selecting coursework.

Note: Because History is a writing-intensive discipline, students are encouraged to enroll in history courses that include substantial writing assignments (approximately 15 pages of writing or more). Developing strong research and writing skills early will help prepare students for upper-division coursework and degree requirements at the university level.

History IAI GECC Recommendations (Minimum 37 semester credits)

These are the specific courses in the Illinois Transferable General Education Core Curriculum (IAI GECC) that should be taken for this emphasis.

Communication: 3 courses (9 semester credits)
Select a two-course sequence in writing (6 semester credits) with a grade of "C" or better and, Select 1 course in oral communication (3 semester credits).

Mathematics: 1 course (3 semester credits)

Physical and Life Sciences: 2 courses (7-8 semester credits)
Select 1 course from Physical Sciences. Select 1 course from Life Sciences. Select at least 1 laboratory course. (Students with the appropriate preparation may substitute an initial course designed for science majors for a more general course).

Humanities and Fine Arts: 3 courses (9 semester credits)
Select 1 course from Humanities, Select 1 course from Fine Arts and Select 1 from either Humanities or Fine Arts. - Courses can be taken from the same identifier as long as the course outcomes are different.
Important Note: Students majoring in History are encouraged to fulfill the Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences portions of the General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) with courses outside the History discipline whenever possible. Doing so allows history courses to be applied toward major requirements rather than general education requirements. Students should consult regularly with an advisor when selecting general education courses, as these choices may affect their overall degree plan, particularly for those pursuing History Education and teacher licensure.

Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 courses (9 semester credits)
Select 3 courses from at least 2 different disciplines (e.g., no more than 2 courses from, for example, psychology). - Courses can be taken from the same identifier as long as the course outcomes are different.
Important Note: Students majoring in History are encouraged to fulfill the Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences portions of the General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) with courses outside the History discipline whenever possible. Doing so allows history courses to be applied toward major requirements rather than general education requirements. Students should consult regularly with an advisor when selecting general education courses, as these choices may affect their overall degree plan, particularly for those pursuing History Education and teacher licensure.