Oct 06, 2024  
2024-2025 Pitzer Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Pitzer Catalog

History Major


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors & Minors

A major in history requires the successful completion of at least 11 courses in history. Included among these must be the following introductory courses:

With the approval of a history major adviser, students may substitute one of the following courses for HIST 025 PZ /HIST 026 PZ : HIST 017 CH -Intro to Chicanx/Latinx History .

It is preferable that students take these required introductory courses during their first two years at the College. In addition to the three introductory courses, students must complete:

At least one (1) course focusing on a geographic region outside of the United States and Europe. At Pitzer, courses fulfilling this requirement include, for example:

At least one (1) course focusing on a temporal period before 1600. At Pitzer, courses fulfilling this requirement include:

Finally, each student is expected to develop a coherent thematic or topical focus comprised of at least three (3) courses in history; of these three courses, at least one must involve producing a significant research paper. An asterisk before the course number indicates that the course contains a significant research component. For example, a student might construct a thematic focus on science and the environment by taking Ecological History, Natural Disaster in Cold War Cameroon, and Science and Technology in the Early Modern World. Many other configurations are possible; students should consult with their history major advisers in developing appropriate thematic clusters.


While the history major does not require the study of a foreign language, students are strongly encouraged to develop language skills relevant to their thematic or topical foci. Students hoping to pursue graduate study in history (other than U.S. history) are especially urged to acquire a competence in a relevant language as early as possible.

Double Major

Students must complete the requirements for both majors, including any theses or honors requirements. Normally, no more than two courses can be counted to fulfill the requirements in both fields.

History Courses

Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies

History

History Honors


Students whose overall GPA equals or exceeds 3.5 may be nominated by the history faculty to write theses, which will be considered for honors by the field group. Courses taken in order to write honors theses (typically HIST 199 PZ ) will be counted as additions to the 11 courses required for the major.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors & Minors