Catalog

History

Dr. Ali Ferdowsi
Chair
(650) 508-3610
aferdowsi@ndnu.edu

The Department of History and Political Science offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Minor in History. This course of study helps students comprehend the political, economic, social, religious, intellectual, and artistic experiences of peoples all over the world, and develop personal skills of research, organization, writing, and analysis. We challenge our students to understand how decisions made in the past continue to shape society and political discourse, and to appreciate their own agency in shaping a better world. Completing a major in History is excellent preparation for graduate study and for careers in law, politics, journalism, business, public administration, social work, nongovernmental advocacy organizations, and education.

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Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of their studies in the History program, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the political, economic, social, religious, intellectual, and artistic experiences of peoples around the world over time.
  • Recognize the influence of global forces and identify their connections to local and national developments.
  • Understand how decisions made in the past continue to shape society and political discourse.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with the historical literature and with conflicting interpretations of the past – historiography.
  • Weigh and interpret evidence and present a sustained argument supported by historical evidence.
  • Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate historical knowledge and reasoning orally and in writing.
  • Use the tools of social science research – statistical and qualitative – in formulating a research topic, collecting and analyzing evidence, and presenting results.

Bachelor of Arts in History

In addition to major requirements, students must meet Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements.

Prerequisites Units
HST1000 World History I 3
HST1010 World History II 3
PSC1000 Introduction to American Government 3
PSC1100 Introduction to Comparative Governments 3
     
Total Prerequisites 12
     
Major Requirements Units
     
United States History – six units chosen from the following: 6
HST2300 American History, 1607 – 1877  
HST2310 American History, 1877 – Present  
HST2320 Modern America, 1932 – Present  
HST2330 History and Politics of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States (CDiv)
HST2340 America’s Ethnic History (CDiv)  
PSC2320 The Constitution  
     
European History – six units chosen from the following: 6
HST2200 History, Culture and Language of France I (CL)  
HST2210 History, Culture and Language of France II (CL)  
HST2220 Nazi Germany  
HST2230 Europe since World War II  
   
Area Studies (Latin America, Asia, Africa, Middle East) – six units chosen from the following: 6
PSC2130 Latin American Area Studies (CDiv)  
PSC2140 African Area Studies (CDiv)  
PSC2150 Asian Area Studies (CDiv)  
PSC2160 Middle East Area Studies (CDiv)  
     
PSC2400 Methods and Methodology 3
PSC2400L Statistical Software in Behavioral Science Research 1
HST2880 Capstone: Versions of Utopia 4
Upper-division History Electives 6
     
Total Major Requirements   32
     
Other Degree Requirements* and General Electives 80
*Other degree requirements include Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements (e.g. U.S. History).
Total Unit Requirement 124

Note: The distribution of units evenly among U.S., European, and Area Studies (6, 6, and 6) is only a recommended, not a required distribution. Because of the large number of general elective units available, the Department usually recommends a double major

Minor in History

Required Courses   Units
HST1000 World History I 3
HST1010 World History II 3
PSC1000 Introduction to American Government 3
PSC1100 Introduction to Comparative Governments 3
Upper-division units in History, approved by Department Chair 9
     
Total Unit Requirement   21