HISTORY
College of Arts and Letters
- COMPLETE COURSE LISTING
- BACHELOR OF ARTS
- MINOR
- SUBJECT MATTER PROGRAM
- MASTER OF ARTS
- Ph.D. - PUBLIC HISTORY
- CAREER POSSIBILITIES
- FACULTY
- CONTACT
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
History, in the broad sense, is the study of all human experience. It examines the people, institutions, ideas, and events from the past to the present. The study of history contributes to cultural literacy and develops critical thinking and other useful skills while helping students understand the present and plan for the future. Historical study provides a solid, fundamental preparation for careers in business, industry, government, and education. It also serves as excellent preparation for law school, foreign service, international work, urban affairs, historical consulting, and library science.
History is an academic discipline offering both breadth and focus. At Sacramento State, the History major includes four lower division survey courses and three upper division seminars. In addition, students choose seven upper division electives from a wide variety available. The flexibility of the major allows students to focus on topical areas such as: women's history, the history of particular geographic areas, cultural history, ethnic group history, economic history, military history, and history from the ancient world to that of the U.S. in the 20th Century. Teaching credential candidates should complete the History/Social Science Precredential Program.
The Sacramento State History Department has an extensive master's program, offering degrees through the Standard Program, and the Public History Option. The History Department also offers a joint Ph.D. in Public History in cooperation with the University of California, Santa Barbara. Applications for admission to the joint Ph.D. are available at the UC Santa Barbara Department of History.
Special Features
- The History Department administers two interdisciplinary minors: Middle East and Islamic Studies Minor and the Hellenic Studies Minor.
- The Capitol Campus History Resources Institute, Hellenic Studies Center, North Central Information Center, and the Center for Science, History, Policy, and Ethics are associated with the Department.
- The California State Library, California State Archives, the Sacramento Discovery Museum, and the California State Railroad Museum provide a rich supply of materials for historical research. Sacramento State history students may use materials from these and other off-campus sources in their work.
- Internships are available in a variety of public agencies and in some private enterprises. They are open to majors and other students with some history or related background. In the past, students have interned in a variety of California state agencies and in the Sacramento Discovery Museum. The Department office has a descriptive brochure on internships that students are encouraged to consult.
- The undergraduate major in History at Sacramento State is designed to provide cultural enrichment and a sense of alternatives and perspectives, especially relevant in a society confronted with widespread institutional change. In addition to subject matter, the Department gives particular emphasis to various methodologies and ways of thinking about the past.
- A minor in History can provide valuable support to majors in many other programs, such as Business Administration, Journalism, and Criminal Justice.
- History courses also make excellent electives, contributing interest
and variety to an academic program. Neither lower division nor upper
division history courses are designed only for history majors or minors.
The Department welcomes and encourages all students.
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
Requirements - Bachelor of Arts Degree
Units required for the Major: 42
Minimum total units required for the BA: 120
A minimum grade of "C-" is required in courses applied
to the major.
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
A. Required Lower Division Courses (12 units)
(3) |
United States History, 1607-1877 |
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(3) |
United States History, 1877-Present |
(6) Select one of the following sets:
Survey of Early Western Civilization AND |
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Survey of Modern Western Civilization OR |
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World Civilizations, Beginnings-1600 AND |
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World Civilizations, 1600-Present |
B. Required Upper Division Seminars (9 units)
Students should take HIST 100 in the second semester of their sophomore year; transfer students should take it in the first semester of their junior year after completion of at least 6 units of required lower division coursework. After completing the majority of their upper division electives and passing the Writing Placement for Juniors Exam, history majors should take one seminar from the HIST 192 series followed by one from the HIST 197 series. Typically, students take the HIST 197 seminar during their senior year.
(3) |
Introduction to Historical Skills |
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(3) |
Seminar in Recent Interpretations of U.S. History OR |
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Seminar in Recent Interpretations of European History OR |
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Seminar in Recent Interpretations of Asian History OR |
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Seminar in Recent Interpretations of African History OR |
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Seminar in Recent Interpretations of Latin American History OR |
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Seminar in Recent Interpretations of a Special Topic |
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(3) |
Senior Research Seminar: U.S. History OR |
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Senior Research Seminar: World History OR |
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Senior Research Seminar: Public History |
*Prerequisite: GWAR certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+, or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109 M/W, or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109 M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X or WPJ score 70/71 and ENGL 109X.
C. Upper Division Electives (21 units)
(3) One course in U.S. History
(3) One course in European History
(3) One course in the History of Africa, Asia, Latin America, or the Middle East
(12) Four additional upper division history courses selected in consultation with an advisor.
Notes:- Students should consult with a faculty advisor in their first semester at Sacramento State.
- Study of a foreign language is recommended.
- For substitutions in requirements, students should consult with a faculty advisor early in their program. Substitutions require the approval of the Department Chair.
Requirements - Minor
Units required for Minor: 24, all of which must be taken in History; a minimum of 12 upper division units is required. Grade "C-" or better required for courses applied to the minor. Specific course requirements are:
(3) |
United States History, 1607-1877 |
|
(3) |
United States History, 1877-Present |
(6) Select one of the following sets:
|
Survey of Early Western Civilization AND |
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Survey of Modern Western Civilization OR |
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World Civilizations, Beginnings-1600 AND |
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World Civilizations, 1600-Present |
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(12) Upper Division History Courses |
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Requirements – Subject Matter Program – History/Social Science (Pre-Credential Preparation)
Units required: 72
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
Students seeking to major in history and to achieve subject matter competency for a secondary teaching credential should complete the following History/Social Science Pre-Credential Program. Students should seek advising with a History advisor at the earliest opportunity.
A. Required History Courses (39 units)
Note: These courses should be listed on the student's graduation petition.
Lower Division Courses (12 units)
(3) |
United States History, 1607-1877 |
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(3) |
United States History, 1877-Present |
|
(3) |
World Civilizations, Beginnings-1600 |
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(3) |
World Civilizations, 1600-Present |
Upper Division Seminar (3 units)
(3) |
Introduction to Historical Skills (Recommended for second semester or sophomore year) |
Upper Division Courses (6 units)
(3) |
20th Century World History (HIST 51) |
|
(3) |
California History, 1860-1970 |
U.S. History (3 units)
(3) Select one of the following:
HIST 154, HIST 155, HIST 156, HIST 159, HIST 160, HIST 161, HIST 162, HIST 163, HIST/GOVT 164, HIST/ENVS 165, HIST 166, HIST/HRS 168, HIST/HRS 169, HIST 170, HIST 179, HIST 180, HIST 182, HIST 188 |
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Pre-20th Century U.S. History (3 units)
(3) Select one of the following:
World (Non-U.S.) History (3 units)
(3) Select one of the following:
Women/Ethnic History (3 units)
Select one of the following:
(3) |
HIST 122A, HIST 122B, HIST 142, HIST 167, HIST 171, HIST 173, HIST 177, HIST 178, HIST 185 |
|
Required Seminar (3 units)
(3) |
Seminar in Historical Interpretation and Analysis (HIST 100; GWAR certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+, or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109 M/W, or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109 M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X or WPJ score 70/71 and ENGL 109X) |
Interdisciplinary Seminar Course (3 units)
(3) |
Summative Assessment for Teachers (Corequisite: HIST 100) |
B. Additional Requirements Outside History (33 units)
Note: These courses are part of the History/Social Science Subject Matter Program. Many may be double counted for General Education credit. They are not normally listed on the student's graduation petition.
Early Field Experience (3 units)
(3) |
Bilingual Education: Introduction to Educating English Learners |
Economics (9 units)
(3) |
Introduction to Macroeconomic Analysis |
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(3) |
Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis |
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(3) |
Ethical Perspective (3 units)
Select one of the following:
(3) |
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Geography (6 units)
(3) |
Themes in World Geography (Junior or Senior standing or instructor permission) |
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(3) |
U.S. and Canada |
Government (9 units)
(3) |
Essentials of Government OR |
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American Governments |
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(3) |
World Politics |
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(3) |
California State and Local Government |
Pluralism in American Society (3 units)
Select one of the following:
(3) |
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GRADUATE PROGRAM
The Master of Arts program in History introduces students to the use of the historical method, the critical investigation of problems in historical study, and the analysis and interpretation of primary source material. These skills are valuable in many professions, especially to students interested in pursuing graduate study culminating in the doctorate in History, experienced teachers of history in public schools, students who wish to teach in California Community Colleges, and to students seeking employment in archival management, oral history, consulting, and public sector historical research.
California State University, Sacramento is well situated to offer rich historical resources in several fields of study. The California State Archives, the California State Library and the Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center offer unique opportunities for the study of Western and California History. The presence of many state and community agencies dealing with historic preservation offers possibilities for stimulating internships, and the history graduate program is also able to draw upon rich materials in a number of areas of United States, European, and world history located in the Sacramento State Library.
In addition to its standard MA program, the History Department offers an Option in Public History and a Ph.D. in Public History.
Admission Requirements
Admission as a classified graduate student in the Standard and the Public History programs requires:
- a baccalaureate degree;
- an undergraduate major in History, OR a minimum of 27 semester units in History, or a closely related field, approved by the Graduate Coordinator. Fifteen of the units must be upper division and include one seminar from the HIST 192 series (or equivalent) and one seminar from HIST 197 series (or equivalent); and
- a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units attempted and a minimum 3.25 GPA in History courses.
Students who have deficiencies in admission requirements that can be removed by specified additional preparation may be admitted to the degree program with conditionally classified graduate status. Any deficiencies will be noted on a written response to the admission application. The department Graduate Coordinator will specify courses to be taken by students with fewer than 27 units of history and/or without the required seminars. Work taken to remove such deficiencies may not be counted toward the master's degree.
Admission Procedures
Applicants should file two applications: one to the Sacramento State Office of Graduate Studies for admission to the University, and the other to the Department of History for classified status in the History master's program. Please check with the Department office for the official deadline.
All applicants, including Sacramento State graduates, must file the following with the Office of Graduate Studies, River Front Center 206, (916) 278-6470:
- an online application for admission; and
- two sets of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State.
For more admissions information and application deadlines please visit http://www.csus.edu/gradstudies/.
Applicants must also file the following with the Sacramento State History Department:
- a Department Application for Admission (available through the History Department office or Web site);
- a statement of purpose of at least 250 words. This statement should include reasons for applying to the master's program, career objectives and an explanation of how the program will help achieve them, relevant professional training, experience, internships, or volunteer activities, and any non-academic skills, interests, or notable accomplishments that may be pertinent to the application;
- two letters of recommendation. Letters should ideally come from university instructors, but if these are not available, any other credible source who can address qualifications will be acceptable (i.e., work supervisor, clergy, or community leader);
- a set of transcripts from all colleges attended, including Sacramento State (unofficial transcripts will suffice);
- academic writing sample (optional but highly encouraged).
Applicants will be informed of the Admission Committee's decision within six weeks of the Department's application deadline.
Advancement To Candidacy
Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy, indicating a proposed program of graduate study. This procedure should begin as soon as the classified graduate student has:
- removed any deficiencies in admission requirements;
- completed at least 12 units in the graduate program with a minimum 3.0 GPA, including at least one 200-level course;
- determined with the History Graduate Coordinator whether to attempt the thesis, examination, or project (Public History and Specialized Options only) as the Culminating Requirement;
- determined which department faculty member will supervise the student's work and act as his/her History advisor;
- filed and received departmental approval of a Petition for Approval of Thesis/Examination/Project (only in the Public History and Specialized Options); and
- taken the Writing Placement for Graduate Students (WPG) or taken a Graduate Writing Intensive (GWI) course in their discipline within the first two semesters of coursework at California State University, Sacramento or secured approval for a WPG waiver.
Students must file their Advancement to Candidacy in the semester prior to enrolling in HIST 500, Culminating Experience.
Advancement to Candidacy forms are available in the Office of Graduate Studies and the History Office. The student fills out the form after planning a degree program in consultation with his/her History advisor. The completed form is then returned to the Graduate Coordinator and the Office of Graduate Studies for approval.
Requirements - Master of Arts Degree - Standard Program - Comprehensive Option
Units required for the Major: 30
Minimum required GPA: 3.0
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
A. Required Courses (21 units)
(3) |
History and Theory |
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(3) |
Interpreting World History |
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(3) |
Interpreting U.S. History |
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(3) |
The Teaching of History in College (Note: HIST 400 may be replaced with an additional HIST 280 or HIST 281 series course with approval of Graduate Coordinator) |
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(3) Select one of the following:
Research and Writing in U.S. History |
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Research and Writing in the History of the American West |
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Research and Writing in World History |
(3) Select one of the following:
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Reading Seminar in African or Asian History |
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Reading Seminar in Ancient or Medieval European History |
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Reading Seminar in Modern European History |
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Reading Seminar: Topics in World History |
(3) Select one of the following:
Reading Seminar in Colonial or Early U.S. History |
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Reading Seminar in Nineteenth Century U.S. History |
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Reading Seminar in Modern U.S. History |
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Reading Seminar: Topics in United States History |
B. Electives (6 units)
Elective courses in History (graduate seminars or upper division courses) and up to 3 units from fields, as approved by History. HIST 280 and HIST 281 series courses may be repeated and counted in this area if the course topic is different.
C. Culminating Requirement (3 units)
(3) |
Culminating Experience (Advanced to candidacy) |
*Prerequisite: Classified status in History or instructor permission.
Note: Students may not enroll in HIST 500 until all "Incomplete" grades received up to that point are completed. Students who receive "Incomplete" grades in coursework after enrolling in HIST 500 will not receive final approval on thesis or examination until a passing grade has been assigned to incomplete coursework.
Note: A foreign language is not a degree requirement. However, students who plan further graduate study in History are encouraged to study French, German, or another foreign language since proficiency in two foreign languages is usually required in doctoral programs.
Requirements - Master of Arts Degree - Standard Programs - Specialized Option
Units required for the Major: 30
Minimum required GPA: 3.0
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
A. Required Courses (18 units)
(3) |
History and Theory |
|
(3) Select one of the following:
Interpreting World History |
||
Interpreting U.S. History |
(3) Select one of the following:
Research and Writing in U.S. History |
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Research and Writing in the History of the American West |
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Research and Writing in World History |
(9) Select three of the following:
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Reading Seminar in African or Asian History |
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Reading Seminar in Ancient or Medieval European History |
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Reading Seminar in Modern European History |
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Reading Seminar: Topics in World History |
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Reading Seminar in Colonial or Early U.S. History |
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Reading Seminar in Nineteenth Century U.S. History |
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Reading Seminar in Modern U.S. History |
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Reading Seminar: Topics in United States History |
B. Electives (9 units)
Elective courses in History (graduate seminars or upper division courses) and up to 3 units from related fields, as approved by the Graduate Director. HIST 280 and HIST 281 series courses may be repeated and counted in this area if the course topic is different.
Note: No more than 9 units of supervisory courses (HIST 295, HIST 297, HIST 299, HIST 400, HIST 500) may be counted toward the degree.
C. Culminating Requirement (3 units)
(3) |
Culminating Experience (Advanced to candidacy) |
*Prerequisite: Classified status in History or instructor permission.
Note: Students may not enroll in HIST 500 until all "Incomplete" grades received up to that point are completed. Students who receive "Incomplete" grades in coursework after enrolling in HIST 500 will not receive final approval on thesis, examination, or project until a passing grade has been assigned to incomplete coursework.
Note: A foreign language is not a degree requirement. However, students who plan further graduate study in History are encouraged to study French, German, or another foreign language since proficiency in two foreign languages is usually required in doctoral programs.
Requirements - Master of Arts Degree - Public History
Units required: 36 including 9 units of supervised professional internship
Minimum required GPA: 3.0
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
The Public History Program offers a two-year course of study leading to the Master of Arts as a degree option within the History Department. The program provides an integrated professional curriculum that includes specialized project and internship experience in several concentrations including: archives and manuscripts, business history, oral history, public history research and analysis, and historic preservation. All students pursue a common course of study, gain professional experience through a series of internships, and complete a master's project or thesis within their area of program specialization.
Program requirements meet the educational guidelines of the Society of American Archivists, the Oral History Association, and the National Council on Public History. Graduates are qualified for listing on the Professional Register of Public Historians maintained by the California Committee for the Promotion of History.
All applicants must meet the requirements for admission as a classified graduate student in History. Applicants are also encouraged (but not required) to submit both verbal and quantitative scores from the aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination with their admission application.
Applications are available from the History Department Office. Students who are not enrolled in the program may take public history courses on a space available basis, with instructor permission.
A. Required Courses (12 units)
(3) |
Interpreting U.S. History |
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(3) |
Public History Principles and Techniques |
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(3) |
Research Seminar in Public History |
(3) Select one of the following:
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History and Theory |
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History and Memory |
B. Elective Courses (12 units)
(12) Select four of the following, but no more than one seminar from the HIST 281 series can be included as a Public History program elective.
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Reading Seminar in Colonial or Early U.S. History |
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Archives and Manuscripts |
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Oral History |
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Museum Studies |
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Historic Preservation |
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Special Topics in Public History |
C. Internship Requirement (9 units)
(6) |
History Internship |
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(3) |
Advanced Internship (HIST 295 and permission of the faculty internship director) |
* Prerequisite: Classified status in History or permission of instructor.
D. Culminating Requirement (3 units)
Students complete either a master's thesis or master's project under the guidance of the Public History faculty. Students will make an oral presentation and defense of their thesis/project before a committee of at least two faculty members including the director of the MA thesis/project.
(3) |
Culminating Experience (Advanced to candidacy) |
Note: Students may not enroll in HIST 500 until all "Incomplete" grades received up to that point are completed. Students who receive "Incomplete" grades in coursework after enrolling in this course will not receive final approval on thesis or examination until a passing grade has been assigned to incomplete coursework.
Doctoral Program - Ph.D. - Public History
The joint doctoral program in Public History offered in cooperation with UC Santa Barbara provides training in public history, particularly in the following professional fields: history of public policy; cultural resource management; business and institutional history; and community and local history. Supporting courses are offered in oral history; archives and records administration; museum management; historic preservation; historical editing; and policy and litigation support.
Prospective applicants for the joint Ph.D. program should have completed a Master's degree in history, public history, or a related field (in unusual circumstances, highly qualified candidates can be admitted without the MA).
Applicants should provide the following information to the Graduate Program in Public History at UCSB: the appropriate application forms; transcripts of completed academic work; GRE scores; three letters of recommendation; and an essay explaining the applicant's reasons for seeking a Ph.D.
The Joint Public History Committee will review applications for admission and select the individuals to be admitted to the joint doctoral program.
Students admitted to the program must spend at least one academic year in residence on each of the two campuses.
In addition to the required research seminars and professional coursework, students will complete an internship assignment and report.
To complete the doctoral program, students must pass a combination of written and oral examinations in four fields. These fields are typically: a general field (usually U.S. History); a specialized field within the general field; a third field encompassing the dissertation topic; a cognate field outside the department (e.g., art history, anthropology, political science).
In addition, each student will: pass one foreign language examination; complete a dissertation; and serve as a research or teaching assistant.
Questions about the program should be directed to Sacramento State Professors Aaron Cohen (916) 278-7209 or Lee M. A. Simpson (916) 278-6628 and UCSB Professor Randy Bergstrom (805) 893-2644.
Career Possibilities
Pre-Law/Lawyer · Journalist · Pre-Theology/Clergy · Foreign Service · Teacher · Archivist · Researcher/Research Analyst · Museum Curator · State Park Historian · Librarian · Business-Person · Writer · Consultant · Historian · Banking · Market Research · Travel · Historical Societies
Faculty
Paula Austin, Chloe Burke, Christopher Castaneda, Aaron Cohen, Jeffrey Dym, Patrick Ettinger, Jessie Gaston, Candace Gregory-Abbott, Rebecca Kluchin, Katerina Lagos, Nikolaos Lazaridis, Anne Lindsay, Brendan Lindsay, Mitchell Numark, Joseph Palermo, Mona Siegel, Lee M. A. Simpson, Michael Vann, Jeffrey Wilson
Contact Information
Aaron Cohen, Department Chair
Julie Cahill, Administrative Support Coordinator
Tahoe Hall 3080
(916) 278-6206
www.csus.edu/hist