B.A. degree with a Major in History

Option 1: Senior Essay Program. Students selecting this option are required to complete a Senior Essay. The Senior Essay constitutes the heart of their history undergraduate program since it requires students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their years at St. Mary’s. The Senior Essay requires students to demonstrate proficiency in the application of the fundamental skills of the historian: research, writing, interpretation and critical thinking. Most students in the Senior Essay are expected to take Historical Research, Writing and Method (HS 5396) at the start of their Junior year. The course is designed to instruct students in historiography, historical research, writing and method. In this course students will also identify a topic for their Senior Essay course and begin their research. Students will then continue their research under the guidance of a faculty mentor and enroll in a 3 hr. Senior Essay Lab (HS5298) to help them further conceptualize their projects and sharpen their writing skills. Students enroll in Senior Essay (HS 5397) in the final semester of their senior year to complete their project.

36 hours required:

Option 2: Teacher Certification Program. Students in this program are not required to take courses associated with Senior Essay. History students should speak with the Chair of the History Department or the Chair of the Teacher Education Department about the general requirements for a major in History with Teacher Certification. Specific questions and concerns about the Teacher Education program should be directed to the Teacher Education Department.