Curriculum & Courses
The History Department offers a major that is both challenging and flexible. In this age of rapid change and globalization, our courses offer students the opportunity to understand the principal events and developments of the United States and the world. Furthermore, through internships and public history offerings, students can take a hands-on approach to understanding what history means for a community and what they might want to do after they leave St. Bonaventure. The flexibility of the major allows students to pursue a wide variety of minors or double majors. Students who plan to become teachers can pursue a minor in Secondary Education or an M.S.Ed. degree.
Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in History
The following table summarizes all requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in history. To see the description of a particular course, click on its title. Our Course Descriptions page lists all history courses. For one possible breakdown of the major by semester, see the Plan of Study below.
* History majors are strongly encouraged to take HIST 200 during the second year.
** Of the six history electives, three must be 300-level and three must be either 200- or 400-level.
*** The School of Arts and Sciences requires all majors to complete a foreign language course at the 202 level or higher. Students not prepared to begin at this level will need to take additional courses in the language, which count as general electives.
Comprehensive Examination Requirement
Every student may fulfill the Comprehensive Examination Requirement by submitting a senior thesis demonstrating mastery of the skills needed for independent study in history or by taking HIST 491 or HIST 492, the advanced history reading program. These are senior seminar courses requiring the application of knowledge and skills presumably acquired through the major in history.
Special Programs
History majors are encouraged to participate in the University’s Honors Program, taking Honors seminars and completing an Honors project in history during their senior year.
The Department of History offers course work and programs that cover a wide range of topics and skills. The department offers numerous internships in area historical societies, museums and archives. Students who plan to become social studies teachers can pursue a major in Secondary Education with Disciplinary Concentration: Social Studies 7-12, leading to initial certification in New York state (grades 7-12).
With its emphasis on reading, writing, analysis and synthesis, history offers an excellent program for students wishing to pursue post-graduate and professional degrees. Coursework in public history prepares them to enter fields such as historic preservation or museum work. Majors have gone on to pursue advanced degrees in history, public history, library science, business and many other areas.
History is an excellent course of study for students interested in law school. Further information on all of the above can be obtained from the faculty.
Plan of Study for a Bachelor of Arts in History
Changes in the sequence of the plan of study below may be desirable. These must be made in consultation with the student’s academic adviser. To see the title of a course in the plan of study, simply pass the cursor over the course's number. To see the description of a course, click on its number.
| ◄ FIRST YEAR ► |
| Fall Semester |
Credits |
Spring Semester |
Credits |
| ENG 101 |
3 |
SBU 102 |
1 |
| CULT 101 |
3 |
SF/THEO 101 |
3 |
| SBU 101 |
2 |
Language 102*/General Elective |
3 |
| Language 101*/General Elective |
3 |
CULT 102 |
3 |
| HIST 101 |
3 |
HIST 102 |
3 |
| |
|
ENG 102 |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
Total |
15 |
| |
| ◄ SECOND YEAR ► |
| Fall Semester |
Credits |
Spring Semester |
Credits |
| Natural Science w/Lab Distribution |
4 |
General Elective |
3 |
| HIST 200 |
3 |
Language 202* |
3 |
| Language 201*/General Elective |
3 |
PHIL 104 |
3 |
| Quantitative Literacy Distribution |
3 |
HIST 202 |
3 |
| HIST 201 |
3 |
History Elective** |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
Total |
15 |
| |
| ◄ THIRD YEAR ► |
| Fall Semester |
Credits |
Spring Semester |
Credits |
| History Elective** |
3 |
General Education Requirements |
6 |
| General Education Requirement |
3 |
History Elective** |
3 |
| General Electives |
9 |
General Electives |
6 |
| Total |
15 |
Total |
15 |
| |
| ◄ FOURTH YEAR ► |
| Fall Semester |
Credits |
Spring Semester |
Credits |
| History Elective** |
3 |
History Elective** |
3 |
| General Education Requirement |
3 |
HIST 492 / History Elective** |
3 |
| General Elective |
6 |
General Elective |
3 |
| HIST 491 / History Elective** |
3 |
General Electives |
5 |
|
|
|
|
| Total |
15 |
Total |
14 |
* The School of Arts and Sciences requires all majors to complete a foreign language course at the 202 level or higher. Students not prepared to begin at this level will need to take additional courses in the language, which count as general electives.
** Of the history electives, three must be 300-level and three must be either 200- or 400-level.
NOTE: History majors are advised to take at least one intensive course. HIST 200 and the corresponding introductory course are required before taking an intensive course. The intensive course should be taken before HIST 491 / HIST 492. Intensive courses are limited to history majors.