History, B.A.
Saint Louis University
Search
Saint Louis University's oldest academic unit offers degrees in more than 30 academic areas.
Why study history at SLU? Because everything has a history. The skills you are taught - to analyze, to reflect, and to study rich contexts - will prepare you for any future you might choose.
History represents the record of all human experience and helps fully illustrate the forces that influence the world. It is central to a liberal arts education and a defining feature of the Jesuit tradition. History has long been considered the foundation of the humanities because it provides a general framework and a unifying perspective for more narrowly specialized disciplines. Students who pursue a Bachelor of Arts in History at Saint Louis University discover that real stories are often much more fascinating than fiction, and the detective work needed to dig into sources can be thrilling. A degree in history from SLU equips students with skills that make them highly desirable in the ever-changing job market, including analytical thinking, effective use of evidence, research and writing skills, rhetorical abilities and an understanding of cultural differences.
Highlights of Saint Louis University's history major:
History majors at SLU are educated in basic intellectual and communication skills that are valued in business, journalism, public service and law, among other fields. In recent years, undergraduates have augmented studies in history with education, political science, foreign language or business administration — combinations that have proven attractive in medicine, business and government service.
Saint Louis University history students learn to interpret a variety of sources, develop the skills to find relevant information and evidence, and articulate an argument. They practice clear and forceful writing.
SLU's Department of History offers a variety of internships with museums and other historical organizations, most of which are eligible for course credit. Internship opportunities in the St. Louis area include:
Saint Louis University history department graduates find a broad range of employment in fields including education, law, journalism, international business, museum and library work, and public service. Many history majors at SLU have successfully pursued graduate studies and now teach in academic institutions. Recent survey data of history alumni indicates that 93% consider themselves “satisfactorily occupied.”
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. Saint Louis University also accepts the Common App.
All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory course work is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.
To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. Beginning with the 2021-22 academic year, undergraduate applicants will not be required to submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) in order to be considered for admission. Applicants will be evaluated equally, with or without submitted test scores.
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.
Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s). In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the office of admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University.
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
History students must complete a minimum of 36 credits for the major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| College core requirements | 57-66 | |
| For additional information about core courses | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| HIST 1110 | Origins of the Modern World to 1500 | 3 |
| HIST 1120 | Origins of the Modern World (1500 to Present) | 3 |
| HIST 2800 | Historian's Craft: Methods Proseminar | 3 |
| European History | ||
| Select one course with the European History attribute. Examples of such courses, which are commonly taught, are: | 3 | |
| The Roman Empire | ||
| The Byzantine World: Faith and Power in a Thousand-Year Empire | ||
| From Barbarians to Crusaders: Europe in the Early Middle Ages | ||
| From Cathedrals to Printing Presses: Europe in the Late Middle Ages | ||
| The Age of Renaissance | ||
| The Reformation Era | ||
| French Revolution and Napoleon, 1789-1815 | ||
| Twentieth Century Europe: Era of World Wars, 1914-1945 | ||
| World in Conflict Since 1945 | ||
| Russia to 1905 | ||
| Russia Since 1905 | ||
| Early Modern History of Spain:1469-1818 | ||
| Medieval Spain | ||
| Pre-1865 U.S. History | ||
| Select one course with the Pre-1865 U.S. History attribute. Examples of such courses, which are commonly taught, are: | 3 | |
| History of the United States of America to 1865 | ||
| U.S. Civil War and Reconstruction, 1850-1877 | ||
| American Slavery | ||
| History of the American West | ||
| History of Nature in America | ||
| U.S. Constitutional History | ||
| Post-1865 U.S. History | ||
| Select once course with the Post-1865 U.S. History attribute. Examples of such courses, which are commonly taught, are: | 3 | |
| History of the United States Since 1865 | ||
| World in Conflict Since 1945 | ||
| U.S. Civil War and Reconstruction, 1850-1877 | ||
| Progressive Era to the Jazz Age, 1890-1920 | ||
| U.S. History in Film | ||
| History of the American West | ||
| History of Nature in America | ||
| U.S. Constitutional History | ||
| World History (Asian, African, Middle Eastern, or Latin American) | ||
| Select one course with the World History attribute. Examples of such courses, which are commonly taught, are: | 3 | |
| China and Japan Since 1600 | ||
| Crossroads of the World: The Middle East and North Africa Through History | ||
| The Byzantine World: Faith and Power in a Thousand-Year Empire | ||
| Colonial Latin America | ||
| The Jesuits in Asia | ||
| World in Conflict Since 1945 | ||
| Cultural Encounters 1500-1700 | ||
| History Electives | ||
| Choose 12 credits for courses above 1120 with the HIST subject code. | 12 | |
| Senior Seminar | ||
| HIST 4900 | Seminar in European History | 3 |
| or HIST 4901 | Sem: American History | |
| or HIST 4902 | Seminar in World History | |
| General Electives | 18-27 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
HIST 4991 History Senior Thesis (3 cr) will be conducted as an independent study/research course for writing an honors thesis. It is an opportunity for superior students who want to expand and revise a paper for a previous 3000 or 4000 level History course into an honors thesis. This option will give the student a chance to develop and demonstrate advanced research and writing skills. It will be excellent preparation for graduate or professional schools, some of which require applicants to submit a writing sample. This course runs for one semester. Students wishing to spend a year on their thesis may sign up one semester earlier for HIST 4990 History Senior Thesis Prep (3 cr).
The Department of History offers a variety of internships HIST 4910 Internship/History in Practice (1-6 cr); for example, in an archive, a museum, a historical site, or on a specific projects.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Components and Credits | ||
| Foundations of Discourse | 3 | |
| Diversity in the U.S. | 3 | |
| Global Citizenship | 3 | |
| Foreign Language | 0-9 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Literature | 6 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 6 | |
| Philosophy | 9 | |
| Social Science | 6 | |
| Theology | 9 | |
| World History | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 57-66 | |
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Participation in First-Year Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 1110 or HIST 1120 |
Origins of the Modern World to 1500 1 or Origins of the Modern World (1500 to Present) |
3 |
| UNIV 1010 | Enhancing First-Year Success | 1 |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in First-Year Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 1120 or HIST 1110 |
Origins of the Modern World (1500 to Present) 1 or Origins of the Modern World to 1500 |
3 |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in Second-Year Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 1710 | China and Japan Since 1600 | 3 |
| HIST 2800 | Historian's Craft: Methods Proseminar (Required of all majors) | 3 |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in Second-Year Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 1600 | History of the United States of America to 1865 3 | 3 |
| HIST 3090 | The Age of Renaissance 4 | 3 |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| HIST 3480 | U.S. Civil War and Reconstruction, 1850-1877 5 | 3 |
| HIST 3250 | World in Conflict Since 1945 | 3 |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| A&S Core Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HIST 4910 | Internship/History in Practice (Elective) | 3 |
| A&S Core Course (if needed) or Elective | 3 | |
| A&S Core Course (if needed) or Elective | 3 | |
| A&S Elective | 3 | |
| A&S Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| HIST 3250 | World in Conflict Since 1945 (Elective (also fulfills U.S. Distribution Requirement)) | 3 |
| HIST 3020 | The Roman Empire (Elective (also fulfills Europe Distribution Requirement)) | 3 |
| A&S Core Course (if needed) or Elective | 3 | |
| A&S Elective | 3 | |
| A&S Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HIST 4900 |
Seminar in European History (Required of all majors) or Sem: American History or Seminar in World History |
3 |
| A&S Core Course (if needed) | 3 | |
| A&S Elective | 3 | |
| A&S Elective | 3 | |
| A&S Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
| 1 | One, but not both, of these courses may be fulfilled by AP credit. |
| 2 | Fulfills World Distribution Requirement (for a full list of courses that meet this requirement, see the list below) |
| 3 | Fulfills U.S. pre-1865 Distribution Requirement (for a full list of courses that meet this requirement, see the list below) |
| 4 | Fulfills Europe Distribution Requirement (for a full list of courses that meet this requirement, see the list below) |
| 5 | Fulfills U.S. post-1865 Distribution Requirement (for a full list of courses that meet this requirement, see list below) |
The History major requires successful completion of courses above 1120 in the following areas: pre-1865 U.S. History, post-1865 U.S. History, European history, and World history. At least one course must be a 4000-level seminar. Please refer to the list of seminars for majors.
Senior thesis (3 or 6 credits, counting toward electives) and internship options available.
Courses with the European History attribute. All are 3 credit courses. Examples of such courses which are commonly taught, are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Greece | ||
| The Roman Empire | ||
| The Byzantine World: Faith and Power in a Thousand-Year Empire | ||
| From Barbarians to Crusaders: Europe in the Early Middle Ages | ||
| From Cathedrals to Printing Presses: Europe in the Late Middle Ages | ||
| The Age of Renaissance | ||
| The Reformation Era | ||
| French Revolution and Napoleon, 1789-1815 | ||
| Twentieth Century Europe: Era of World Wars, 1914-1945 | ||
| World in Conflict Since 1945 | ||
| Russia to 1905 | ||
| Russia Since 1905 | ||
| Early Modern History of Spain:1469-1818 | ||
| Cultural Encounters 1500-1700 | ||
| Medieval Spain |
Courses with the Pre-1865 U.S. History attribute. All are 3 credit courses. Examples of such courses, which are commonly taught, are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| History of the United States of America to 1865 | ||
| U.S. Civil War and Reconstruction, 1850-1877 | ||
| American Slavery | ||
| History of the American West | ||
| History of Nature in America | ||
| U.S. Constitutional History |
Courses with the Post-1865 U.S. History attribute. Examples of such 3-credit courses, which are commonly taught, are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| History of the United States Since 1865 | ||
| World in Conflict Since 1945 | ||
| U.S. Civil War and Reconstruction, 1850-1877 | ||
| Progressive Era to the Jazz Age, 1890-1920 | ||
| U.S. History in Film | ||
| History of the American West | ||
| History of Nature in America | ||
| U.S. Constitutional History |
Asian, African, Middle Eastern, or Latin American
Courses with the World History attribute. All are 3 credit courses. Examples of such courses, which are commonly taught, are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 1700 | China and Japan To 1600 | 3 |
| HIST 1710 | China and Japan Since 1600 | 3 |
| HIST 2730 | Crossroads of the World: The Middle East and North Africa Through History | 3 |
| HIST 3030 | The Byzantine World: Faith and Power in a Thousand-Year Empire | 3 |
| HIST 3170 | Colonial Latin America | 3 |
| HIST 3220 | The Jesuits in Asia | 3 |
| HIST 3240 | Africa since 1884 | 3 |
| HIST 3250 | World in Conflict Since 1945 | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 4900 | Seminar in European History | 3 |
| HIST 4901 | Sem: American History | 3 |
| HIST 4902 | Seminar in World History | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 4910 | Internship/History in Practice | 3-6 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 4990 | History Senior Thesis Prep (optional) | 3 |
| HIST 4991 | History Senior Thesis | 3 |