History, AB

Major in History

History majors are required to complete at least eleven, but no more than fourteen, courses in history: normally the two College core courses, and at least nine other classes numbered 1100 and above. For details on the core courses, scroll down to the bottom of the "Requirements" section, linked above. A 1-credit portfolio workshop course (HIST 4900) is required in Fall semester of the senior year for all History majors except those completing the Senior Honors Seminar. In this course, students reflect upon the skills learned during the major, select and examine examples of their best writing, and practice how best to present their own accomplishments as they approach graduation.

To ensure that there is breadth and depth in a student’s selection of courses, majors are required to take at least four classes in one of seven specific world regions. They must also take three classes from different geographic areas. If their main region is from Group A (Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East), then majors also need at least three courses from the regions in Group B (Europe, Russia/Eastern Europe, U.S.); if their main region is from Group B, then they need at least three courses from the regions in group A. For example, if your major field is the Middle East, you must take four classes in that specific region as well as three in any of the regions listed in Group B (1 Europe, 2 US or 3 US or 1 Russia, 1 Europe, 1 US, etc.). Many comparative or global courses can be counted for one of several regions; these courses usually have “1” as the second digit in the course number. Students should ask the instructor what regions a course will count toward and communicate this to their academic adviser, who can adjust their degree audit accordingly.

In addition to geographic distribution, History majors must take at least three history seminars, numbered 3000 or above (courses numbered 5000+ are graduate courses and may only be taken with permission of instructor or the Director of Undergraduate Studies). These courses must be taken in the History Department, meaning that they must have a HIST number, or be cross-listed (not X-listed) courses that also have a HIST number. At least one of these courses must be one of the four classes in your major region of concentration. These seminars feature intense class discussion and substantial reading and writing assignments, and as such they will allow students to deepen their understanding of particular world regions and historical eras, and of the discipline of history as a whole.

The Department encourages study abroad and is flexible in facilitating the transfer of credit for bona fide history courses. No more than five courses taken outside Georgetown University may be applied to the major. This includes any combination of AP credit and courses taken at another university (including those abroad). Further, in total no more than six courses (including X-listed courses taken at Georgetown) taken outside the History Department may be applied to the major. All three upper-level (3000 and above) courses must be taken in the History Department. 

Students interested in majoring in History register with the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department, normally during their sophomore year, and receive approval to add the major. The Director of Undergraduate Studies will help each new major select an advisor.

For more information about the History Major, see: history.georgetown.edu/programs/overview/ 

Seminar Classes and Integrated Writing

All History seminar courses will help hone students’ writing skills: by taking three of these courses students will repeatedly encounter and practice various forms of historical writing and develop their own voice as historically-conscious analytical writers. Therefore, any History course numbered 3000-4999 will fulfill the College’s requirement for one “Integrated Writing” course in each student’s major. 

History Honors

The Department of History encourages highly motivated students with a strong academic record to participate in its Honors Program. For more information, see: history.georgetown.edu/programs/overview/honors-program/ 

Accelerated AB or BSFS/Master of Arts in Global, International and Comparative History (MAGIC) Degree Program in History

This program allows a select group of upper-level Georgetown University undergraduates in the College and School of Foreign Service to enroll in the MAGIC program as seniors. For more information, see: history.georgetown.edu/programs/ma/ba-ma/