History Combined Major

History

At Pitzer, history invites students to understand the contours of their world its political boundaries, its economic systems, its environmental conditions, its social structures and its cultural practices as historical products. It pushes them to question assumptions and to approach the present through the prism of a rich and variegated past. It uses investigation and interpretation, both to explore the unfamiliar and to reconsider what we think we already know. Thus, courses in history encourage students to analyze documents critically, to evaluate historical arguments thoughtfully and to examine theories of history and culture. Far from being a simple chronicle of facts, history demands that students consider how the past is used and remembered.

Pitzer Advisers: C. Johnson, H. O’Rourke, A. Wakefield, U. Willoughby

Major Requirements

A combined major in History and Political Studies requires the successful completion of all requirements for the major in History but they may take two fewer electives for a total of 9 courses in history.  Combined majors with other fields will be arranged on a case-by-case basis.

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. 

Required Courses

Introductory Courses (3)

It is preferable that students take these required introductory courses during their first two years at the College.

• HIST 011 PZ -The World Since 1492  
• HIST 012 PZ -History of the Human Sciences  
• Either HIST 025 PZ -US History Before 1877  or HIST 026 PZ -Modern US History Since 1877 . With the approval of a history major adviser, students may substitute HIST 017 CH -Intro to Chicanx/Latinx History  for HIST 025 PZ /HIST 026 PZ : .

Other Courses (8)

• HIST 197 PZ -Seminar in History , (normally taken in the junior year or fall of the senior year).
• 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: HIST 024A PZ HIST 024A PZ -Colonialism in Africa  or HIST 169 PZ HIST 169 PZ -Globaliz & Oceania: Hawai’i & Tn . Certain courses offered at the other Claremont Colleges also may fulfill this requirement; students should consult with a history major adviser in selecting appropriate courses.
• At least one (1) course focusing on a temporal period before 1600. At Pitzer, courses fulfilling this requirement include: CLAS 164 SC CLAS 164 SC -Pompeii & the Cities of Vesuvius ; HIST 073 PZ -The Problem with Profit ; HIST 074 PZ -Queering the Medieval? Holiness ; HIST 175 PZ -Magic, Heresy & Gender ; and HIST 178 PZ HIST 178 PZ -Queer & Feminst Histories of EME . Certain courses offered at the other Claremont Colleges also may fulfill this requirement; students should consult with a history major adviser in selecting appropriate courses.
• Three (3) additional courses in history.

Other Requirements

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.

AP and Transfer Credit

AP Credit

Students scoring a 5 on the AP History exam will receive credit for one history course, which may be counted as one of the eleven courses required for the major. The AP credit, however, will not be accepted as a substitute for HIST 011 PZ  , HIST 012 PZ  , HIST 025 PZ  , HIST 026 PZ  or HIST 197 PZ  in meeting the major requirements designated above, nor can it be used in the development of a student’s thematic or topical focus within the major.

Transfer Credit

To receive credit for history courses from outside the Claremont Colleges, students must get approval from the History Field group before enrolling.