BA Historical Studies

The Historical Studies curriculum offers courses that acquaint students with the various methods of historical study, provide them with a broad understanding of the major themes of human history, and give them the opportunity to propose and implement their own research projects. Designed to help students develop careful, thoughtful self-expression, particularly in written form, the curriculum is composed of courses of increasing difficulty, progressing from introductory and intermediate courses in content areas, to upper-level seminars and finally to the senior capstone courses, Historical Methods and Thesis Seminar. The capstone seminars provide opportunities for students to explore their individual research interests and share their experiences with faculty and their peers. Students also achieve competence in a second language, which they may put to use in study tours and semester or summer study abroad.