UNDERGRADUATE HANDBOOK - FOR STUDENTS IN HISTORY 2020-2021 ACADEMIC YEAR - College of Liberal Arts and ...
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UNDERGRADUATE
HANDBOOK
FOR STUDENTS IN HISTORY 2020-2021
ACADEMIC YEAR
clas.uiowa.edu/history
History at University of Iowa
HISTORY DEPARTMENT CONTACTS:
CLAS.UIOWA.EDU/HISTORY/PEOPLE
Departmental Executive Officer (Chair)
Landon Storrs (319-335-2303)
email: landon-storrs@uiowa.edu
Director of Undergraduate Studies
R. Tyler Priest (319-335-2096)
email: tyler-priest@uiowa.edu
Senior Academic Advisor
Colleen Kelley (319-335-2065)
email: colleen-kelley@uiowa.edu
Director of Honors Program
Alyssa Park (319-335-2329)
email: alyssa-park@uiowa.edu
For a listing of current History Department faculty and staff, including advising,
please see: clas.uiowa.edu/history/people
LEARN MORE
historydept@uiowa.edu clas.uiowa.edu/history
University of Iowa Department of History, 280 Schaeffer Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242-1409 History at University of Iowa
Monday-Friday 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m. 319-335-2299
The University of Iowa prohibits discrimination in employment, educational programs, and activities on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, disability, genetic
information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, associational preferences, or any other classification that deprives the person of consideration as
an individual. The university also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to university facilities. For additional information on nondiscrimination policies, contact
the Director, Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, the University of Iowa, 202 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, IA, 52242-1316, 319-335-0705 (voice), 319-335-0697 (TDD), diversity@uiowa.edu.
Revised September 2020
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Message from the Chair of the History Department 4
Requirements for the Undergraduate History Major (BA) 5
Coursework 5
Distribution Requirement for BA in History 6
Introductory Course 6
History Courses 6
Pre-1700 History Courses 7
Portfolio (HIST:3193) 8
BA with Teacher License 8
Honors in History 9
Requirements for the Minor in History 9
Capstone Course Opportunities 10
Apply to Graduate 10
Keep Us Informed 10
Advising at the University of Iowa and in History 11
Resources for Undergraduate Students in History at UI 12
Why Study History 13
What Can I Do With a History Degree 14
3
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE
HISTORY DEPARTMENT:
Welcome to the History Department! We hope that you share our enthusiasm for the study of
past societies and cultures. What are the origins of the world in which we live: its economy, its
social and political organization, and its many diverse cultures? The challenges we face today
– where did they come from? What lessons can we learn from past societies’ efforts to resolve
their own challenges? History unlocks important insights into the world we inhabit. But we
also find intellectual satisfaction, and wisdom, in understanding the past on its own terms.
Students of history develop an understanding of change – how it happens and why it happens the way it does – that
enables them to engage the world they inhabit. Because of the geographical breadth of our courses, history students
develop a global consciousness that helps them to navigate the streets (and the news) from Iowa City to Berlin to
Dar es Salaam. Employers value history students’ ability to analyze human and social behavior, to research pressing
problems, and to express themselves clearly. Graduates of the UI History department occupy prominent positions in
government, private industry, journalism, law, entertainment, education, the non-profit sector, and more. In fact, a
recent study showed that History BA’s earn more than graduates in any other humanities field.
In addition to teaching, faculty members do cutting-edge research in their fields of specialization. That research finds
its way into teaching materials, professional journals, books for scholarly and popular audiences, digital collections,
news reporting, legal briefs, policy-making, museum exhibits, film and TV documentaries, and more. We’re often
called upon to advise journalists or policy makers who want to make sure they’re getting their facts right – and who
also want to make sure they’re analyzing and contextualizing those facts correctly. We see our mission as serving
students, the State of Iowa, and the public sphere more broadly.
We look forward to helping to plan your course of study, to advising on specific courses or sequences of courses, or
to consulting on career objectives. Our virtual drop-in hours are posted on our office doors; you can also find virtual
hours by visiting the History Department office at SH 280 (335-2299), and on individual faculty web pages:
clas.uiowa.edu/history/people.
Get acquainted with the office staff, including Pat Goodwin, Kathleen O’Neill, and Kasey Befeler. When you visit the
office, you can also browse through recent faculty and alumni publications and read announcements of upcoming
events. I have an open-door policy, so if I’m in my office (SH 280), please feel free to drop in. And don’t forget to
“friend” us on Facebook: History at University of Iowa, Hawkeye History Corps, for announcements of upcoming
events and opportunities.
Whatever your interest in history, we are happy to get to know you. We’re sure that you’ll find your association with
the department both challenging and rewarding.
Landon Storrs
Professor and Chair, Department of History
4
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE UNDERGRADUATE
HISTORY MAJOR (BA)
The Bachelor of Arts with a major in history requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 36 s.h. of work for the major.
Students must complete 24 s.h. numbered 2000 or above. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.00 in all UI
courses being counted toward the major. They also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General
Education Program.
College Level Equivalency Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement Program (APP) credit does not count toward the
history major. Transfer work that is equivalent to University of Iowa course work may be accepted toward the major,
but at least 18 s.h. of work for the major, including HIST:2151 Introduction to the History Major, must be taken at the
University of Iowa. Courses that count toward the major may not be taken on a pass/nonpass basis.
Coursework
Major requirements include an introductory course and a history portfolio in addition to a range of course work in history.
Undergraduate courses in history are divided into four areas: American history, European history, non-Western history,
and courses that have no specific area designation.
Students may count a maximum of 18 s.h. earned in American history courses (numbered 1200-1299, 2200-2299,
3200-3299, and 4200-4299) toward the major.
Courses on this list that are approved for General Education may be counted toward fulfillment of General Education
Program requirements as well as toward requirements for the history major.
A few of our regularly offered courses satisfying the Historical Perspectives, International & Global Issues,
Social Sciences, Values & Culture, and Diversity & Inclusion General Education credits are listed in the table below.
For a complete list, please review the General Education Program.
CODE TITLE HOURS
HIST:1101 The Modern World 3
HIST:1115 Big Ideas: The History and Science of Oil 3
HIST:1119 Big Ideas: Equality, Opportunity, and Public Policy in America 3
HIST:1261 American History to 1877 3
HIST:1262 American History 1877-Present 3
HIST:1401 The West and the World: Ancient* 3
HIST:1402 The West and the World: Medieval* 3
HIST:1403 The West and the World: Modern* 3
HIST:1601 Civilizations of Asia: China I 3
HIST:1602 Civilizations of Asia: China II 3
HIST:1604 Civilizations of Asia: Japan 3
HIST:1607 Civilizations of Asia: Korea 3
HIST/AFAM:2267 African American History to 1877 3
HIST/AFAM:2268 African American History Since the Civil War 3
* The West and the World courses formerly Western Civilization I, II, II
History majors are encouraged to take courses in other fields that illuminate and expand the meaning of history courses
and that introduce information and a variety of approaches to understanding how societies and cultures work.
5
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE UNDERGRADUATE HISTORY MAJOR (BA)
Students majoring in history are encouraged to complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education
Program World Languages requirement by choosing a language that fits their interests in history. The department also
encourages study abroad programs that complement students’ foreign area interests.
Distribution Requirements for BA in History
COURSE CODES/TITLES HOURS
Introductory Course
3
HIST:2151 - Introduction to the History Major
American History Courses
Two American history courses (numbered 1200-1299, 2200-2299, 3200-3299, or 4200-4299) 6
including at least one numbered 3000 or above
European History Courses
Two European history courses (numbered 1400-1499, 2400-2499, 3400-3499, or 4400-4499) 6
including at least one numbered 3000 or above
Non-Western History Courses
Two non-Western history courses (numbered 1500-1999, 2500-2899, 3500-3899, 4500-4999) 6
including at least one numbered 3000 or above
Pre-1700 History Course
3
One pre-1700 history course (select from the list on page 7)
History Electives
12
Additional history courses selected by student
Portfolio Course
0
HIST:3193 - Undergraduate History Portfolio
Total Hours 36
Introductory Course
Students should enroll in HIST:2151 Introduction to the History Major as soon as possible after declaring the major
in history. Topics vary, but all sections of HIST:2151 instruct students in the skills they need to succeed in upper-
level history courses. Students explore the diverse kinds of sources historians use, including both primary (original)
sources and secondary (scholarly) sources. They learn how to frame a historical question, find and interpret relevant
sources (online, in libraries, and archives), and then integrate them into a historical argument, expressed clearly and in
accordance with appropriate scholarly conventions. By the end of the semester, students have produced a substantial
research paper or project and have a clearer understanding of the historian’s craft. Students must include at least one
graded paper from the course HIST:2151 in their history portfolio (see Portfolio on page 8).
History Courses
In addition to completing HIST:2151 Introduction to the History Major, students must earn a minimum of 33 s.h. in
history courses, including geographical area and era courses (American, European, non-Western, and pre-1700 History).
Students may count a maximum of 18 s.h. earned in American history courses toward the major.
Courses numbered 1100-1199, 2100-2199 (including HIST:2151 Introduction to the History Major), 3100-3199,
3995-3996, or 4100-4199 do not fulfill a specific geographical area or the pre-1700 requirement.
6
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE UNDERGRADUATE HISTORY MAJOR (BA)
Pre-1700 History Courses
A course taken to fulfill the pre-1700 history course requirement also may be counted toward the requirement in
American, European, or non-Western history. These courses fulfill the pre-1700 history requirement.
CODE TITLE HOURS
HIST:1401 The West and the World: Ancient* 3
HIST:1402 The West and the World: Medieval* 3
HIST:1601 Civilizations of Asia: China from Origins to the 17th Century 3
HIST:1602 Civilizations of Asia: China from the 17th Century to the Present 3
HIST:1604 Civilizations of Asia: Japan 3
HIST:1606 Civilizations of Asia: South Asia 3
HIST:2444 Engineering and Technology in the Ancient World 3
HIST:2461 Middle East and Mediterranean: Alexander to Suleiman 3
HIST:2483 History of Britain: Fall of Rome to the Norman Conquest 3
HIST:3270 Colonial North America, ca. 1600-1775 3
HIST:3289 The Atlantic World c. 1450-1850 3
HIST:3401 Ancient Egypt and the Ancient Near East 3
HIST:3404 The World of Ancient Greece 3
HIST:3409 Medieval Civilization I 3
HIST:3410 Medieval Civilization II 3
HIST:3413 Early Modern Britain: The Tudor and Stuart Era 3
HIST:3423 Ireland in the Early Middle Ages 3
HIST:3427 Family, Gender, and Society in Early Modern Europe 3
HIST:3448 Barbarians and the Fall of Rome 3
HIST:3758 The Ancient African Past 3
HIST:4400 The Roman Empire 3
HIST:4406 Warfare in Ancient Mediterranean Society 3
HIST:4407 The Hellenistic World and Rome 3
HIST:4412 History of the Medieval Church 3
HIST:4417 Medieval Intellectual History 300-1150 3
HIST:4418 Medieval Intellectual History 1150-1500 3
HIST:4419 Ancient and Medieval Science 3
HIST:4510 Colonial Latin America 3
HIST:4610 Japan - Age of the Samurai 3
HIST:4910 The Book in the Middle Ages 3
HIST:4920 The Transition from Manuscript to Print 3
* The West and the World courses formerly Western Civilization I, II, II
7
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE UNDERGRADUATE HISTORY MAJOR (BA)
Portfolio
All history majors must complete a portfolio, enrolling in HIST:3193 Undergraduate History Portfolio during the semester
in which they plan to graduate. The portfolio, submitted electronically, must include at least three graded papers written
for history courses; one of the papers should be from HIST:2151 Introduction to the History Major. The portfolio does not
affect the student’s GPA; timely submission fulfills the requirement on a non-graded basis with an assignment of
S (satisfactory).
Students should submit their portfolios on the University of Iowa ICON website for HIST:3193 early during the semester
in which they plan to graduate.
Things to remember about the portfolio:
■ Graded originals with comments are required. If your paper was returned with handwritten comments,
scan it and save as a pdf file you can upload to HIST:3193.
■ One of your three papers should be from HIST:2151 Intro to the History Major.
■ For students doing an honors thesis in history, the honors thesis along with the paper from
“Intro to the History Major” is enough for the portfolio; you do not need a third paper.
■ Each paper should have the course, instructor, and semester identified on the first page.
■ Please upload your papers no later than the last week of classes in order for your portfolio to be reviewed
in time for your graduation.
Once you have uploaded your papers to the HIST:3193 dropbox in ICON, complete the short exit survey, and then notify
the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) that the portfolio has been submitted.
Again, HIST:3193 is a Pass/Fail course; it will not affect your grade point average. The DUS does not regrade your
papers; rather, the DUS reads through your graded essays and makes a brief assessment for the benefit of the
department’s self-reflection. Once the DUS has completed this assessment, your portfolio requirement is met.
BA with Teacher Licensure
History majors interested in earning licensure to teach in elementary and/or secondary schools must complete
the College of Education’s Teacher Education Program (TEP) in addition to the requirements for the major and all
requirements for graduation. The TEP requires several College of Education courses and student teaching.
Students must satisfy all degree requirements and complete Teacher Education Program licensure before degree
conferral. Students should contact the College of Education, Office of Student Services for details, in addition to the list
of required courses.
8
HONORS IN HISTORY
Students majoring in history have the opportunity to graduate with honors in the major. Departmental honors students
must maintain a cumulative University of Iowa GPA of at least 3.33. Students write an honors thesis, which is an
extended research paper (30-35 pages). Research for the thesis is done under the supervision of a faculty member who
specializes in the field a student chooses for the research. Students register for 3 s.h. in HIST:3995 History Honors
Research Seminar during the spring of their junior year, and HIST:3996 Honors Thesis during the fall of their senior year.
The 6 s.h. of credit counts toward the semester hours required for the history major.
When the Honors thesis is complete, it is presented to an examining committee of three faculty members. The
committee asks the student questions about the thesis. The thesis is then graded and that grade becomes the course
grade. Each year the department awards a monetary prize for the most distinguished Honors thesis. The Honors thesis
can be used as a writing sample to strengthen applications to graduate and professional programs. Honors theses are
archived in an online repository in the History department (280 SH).
For students with scheduling conflicts, particularly those enrolled in Study Abroad, alternative arrangements are made
on a case-by-case basis.
Please see the Undergraduate Program section of the departmental website for complete information and requirements
for completing Honors in History. Lists of travel grants, recent theses, and History majors recently elected to Phi Beta
Kappa are also available.
In addition to honors in their majors, undergraduate students have a variety of opportunities for honors study and
activities through membership in the University of Iowa Honors Program, a separate program administered through the
Honors Program (visit Honors at Iowa). Students who are admitted to University Honors can satisfy their Experiential
Learning Requirement by completing Honors in History (the thesis).
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR IN HISTORY
The minor in history requires a minimum of 15 s.h. in history courses, including 12 s.h. earned in advanced courses.
All Department of History courses numbered 2000 or above are considered advanced for the minor. Students must
maintain a GPA of at least 2.00 in all UI courses being counted toward the minor. Course work in the minor may not be
taken pass/nonpass.
9
CAPSTONE COURSE OPPORTUNITIES
Juniors and seniors who are nearing completion of their history major requirements may register for an additional
credit hour in conjunction with one of the department’s designated 3000-4999 level courses. For this additional credit,
history majors meet on a weekly basis in a separate discussion section of the course. The section meetings provide
an opportunity for students to explore in greater depth some of the issues raised in the readings and lectures for the
course. History majors who earn the 4th (capstone) credit may also work on more substantial papers and have the
opportunity to present their work to others in the section. The section may be facilitated by an experienced teaching
assistant under the guidance of the course instructor.
APPLY TO GRADUATE
Finally, although this is not a History requirement per se, students must apply for their degree on MyUI, before the
appropriate date within the semester they plan to graduate. For more information, visit the Degree Application page of
the Office of the Registrar.
KEEP US INFORMED HISTORYDEPT@UIOWA.EDU
If you’re applying for graduate school or professional school, or applying for jobs after graduation, it is useful for us to
know that. And you never know what knowledge of opportunities we may be able to pass on to you.
The History Department sends out a weekly newsletter during the academic year to highlight students, alumni, faculty,
and local events. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please let us know here!
10ADVISING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
AND IN HISTORY
Advising for first-year students: First-year students and those with less than 24 s.h. earned are advised at the
Academic Advising Center. The Center’s team of advisors specializes in transitioning students to academic and student
life at Iowa. Working with an assigned caseload, the advisors help each student plan for a
successful academic start at Iowa.
Advising during sophomore through senior years: Colleen Kelley serves as the academic
advisor for history students who have earned at least 24 s.h.
How to contact your advisor: For quick questions, email Colleen at: colleen-kelley@uiowa.edu.
For adding and dropping courses and other immediate issues, Colleen’s virtual appointment and
drop-in hours can be found on Colleen Kelley’s Page. Appointments are scheduled on-line through MyUI, or via
email request.
We recommend scheduling an individual appointment if you would like to review your degree audit, map out a plan to
graduation, or have other questions for which you would like to have an extended conversation. To schedule a virtual
appointment with Colleen, please use the online scheduler (link available through MyUI).
The departmental advisor is available to assist students with the following:
■ Advisor signatures on add/drop and other university forms
■ Questions about course registration
■ Questions or problems with your degree audit
■ Academic probation
■ Review of study abroad courses for major credit
■ Discussions regarding adding second majors, minors, and certificate programs
■ Information regarding campus resources for students
■ Questions about navigating campus resources
When you achieve junior standing, you are encouraged to work with a faculty mentor. While you will continue to see
Colleen Kelley for routine advising functions, your faculty mentor is available to:
■ Provide disciplinary guidance for research projects
■ Serve as a mentor for honors theses and projects
■ Discuss your graduate and professional school aspirations
11RESOURCES FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
IN HISTORY AT UI
Visit Resources for Students on the History website for links to the following resources:
■ Internships
■ Careers for History Majors
■ Teaching and Writing Center
■ Study Abroad Programs
■ Iowa Historical Review (Undergraduate History Journal)
■ History Course Catalog
Visit Academic Resources on the History website for links to the following resources:
■ History Major Course Planner
■ B.A. with Teaching Licensure
■ Interdisciplinary Programs: Certificate, Minors, Second Majors
■ Hawkeye History Corps (UI Undergraduate History Club Facebook page)
■ Nearby Archives
■ History Facts and Resources
HISTORIANS ARE:
EDUCATORS RESEARCHERS
Primary/Secondary/Post-Secondary Museums and Historical Organizations
Historic Sites and Museums Cultural Resources Management
Historic Preservation
Public Policy Institutes
COMMUNICATORS INFORMATION MANAGERS
Writers and Editors Archivists
Journalists Records Managers
Artists Librarians
Producers of Multimedia Material Information Managers
ADVOCATES PUBLIC SERVANTS
Lawyers and Paralegals Diplomatic Corps
Litigation Support Non-Governmental Organizations
Legislative Staff Human Rights Workers
Foundations Elected Officials
Social Work Health Professions
Policy Makers
12WHY STUDY HISTORY?
Thinking about majoring in History? Did you know that...
History is one of the top five majors at both Harvard and Yale
History majors’ mid-career salaries are on par with those of
business majors
Employers in tech, business, law, communications, health care, and
public policy want people with humanities backgrounds
Double majoring makes you even more versatile (History BA
requires 36 hours; many combine with PoliSci, JMC, IS, ANTH...)
Political experts consider historical education to be key to a
successful democracy
MORE REASONS TO STUDY HISTORY
“Students of history develop an understanding of
change – how it happens and why it happens the
way it does – that enables them to engage the world
they inhabit. Employers value history students’ ability
to analyze human and social behavior, to research
pressing problems, and to express themselves
clearly.” Lisa Heineman, Professor and former Chair,
UI Department of History
As History returns to being Yale’s most popular
major, the department believes “the present
historical moment is enticing young people to join
the discipline...economic and political models failed
to predict several defining events of the post-9/11
era, most notably the 2008 financial crisis and the
2016 presidential election. Some are beginning to recognize that historians, due to the nature of their understanding of
the past, could be better equipped to analyze and address global crises and trends.” American Historical Association blog
On the dangers of not understanding history: “From Turkey to China, strongmen rewrite the past to suit their ends.
But democracies are not immune to this revisionism...Learning about history, and being able to question some of the
narratives advanced in the name of politics is as important as knowing where to get reliable news.” The Guardian
In times of political crisis, citizens need “not just access to new narratives about the past, but also a broader ability
to weigh evidence, balance competing arguments, and consider emotionally charged topics...Effective teaching can
prepare and empower students for their role as citizens in ways that weaken the power of demagogic appeals.”
American Historical Association
13WHAT CAN I DO WITH A HISTORY DEGREE?
JUST ABOUT ANYTHING!
Explore a LIST OF SKILLS or “competencies,” that history undergraduates learn in the course of their studies.
American Historical Association
FIGHTING MYTHS WITH DATA: History majors are NOT underprepared for gainful employment or doomed to a
life of low earnings. American Historical Association
HISTORY MAJORS’ MID-CAREER SALARIES are on par with those holding business bachelor’s degrees.
Notably these salary findings exclude those who went on to attain a law or other graduate degree.
James Grossman Op-Ed, Los Angeles Times
HISTORY MAJORS DO THE BEST IN THE HUMANITIES, and better than students in a majority of the other
fields – with regard to earnings. AHA blog
ON LIBERAL ARTS MAJORS IN THE DATA AGE: “From Silicon Valley to the Pentagon, people are beginning to
realize that to effectively tackle today’s biggest social and technological challenges, we need to think critically
about their human context—something humanities graduates happen to be well trained to do.
Call it the revenge of the film, history, and philosophy nerds.” Harvard Business Review
TECH LEADERS: SEND US YOUR LIBERAL ARTS GRADS. Association of American Colleges & Universities
THAT ‘USELESS’ LIBERAL ARTS DEGREE HAS BECOME TECH’S HOTTEST TICKET. Forbes
TO UNDERSTAND SCIENCE, STUDY HISTORY. Chronicle of Higher Education
WHY HISTORY MATTERS FOR BUSINESS EXECUTIVES: “If the quality of executives’ judgment is to
improve and if executives are to be able to draw with confidence and intelligence on the experience of others,
they must first know how to read the lessons embedded in that experience. Here...lies the value of history in
management...The heart of [Harvard Business School’s] curriculum has always been the case study, and the
case study is precisely what a historian is trained to do.” Harvard Business Review
PROFILES OF HISTORIANS in the Classroom, Publishing, Museums, Archives, Historic Preservation, Consulting
and More. American Historical Association
14You can also read
