History

About this Major

Studying history at VCSU is both enriching and challenging. Our History curriculum offers broad experience in U.S., European, World history, as well as opportunities to study the history of ethnic and social groups and specialized courses such as Environmental history. The study of history sharpens a student’s own sense of values, provides a context for present decision-making, and cultivates a more compassionate attitude toward peoples whose way of life may be different from yours. Theory and techniques are also important elements to the degree.

Career Opportunities

History is a non-teaching degree designed to place the history student in a variety of careers including:

Law
Government service
Archivist
Consultant
Foreign services officer
Intelligence agent
Researcher

This major also prepares students for advanced and specialized graduate study. Faculty will work with students to plan a course of study that meets their needs and interests.

As a History major, students will learn many skills employers seek including:

Analyzing data
Logic
Critical thinking
Researching
Precise writing.

To assist students, we encourage them to seek an internship to utilize the skills acquired in the classroom. The Barnes County Historical Museum gives students opportunities for practical, hands-on experience, archives for research, and community involvement. Both behavioral science and business internships are available for students who lack previous employment experience. Our program will offer you a variety of non-traditional learning opportunities.

Explore More History Careers

Meet a Student

VCUS alumni Kylie Johnson stands in the Student Center.

"My time at VCSU was filled with a lot of exciting experiences. I was able to explore my passion in history by being given an opportunity to present a paper on Native American Education. I also was able to participate in several clubs, one being History Club/Phi Alpha Theta. Valley City gave me multiple opportunities to pursue my passion to become a teacher. VCSU did not only help me grow in my education, I was also able to grow as a person." - Kylie Johnson '20, West Fargo, ND

Get Involved in your Major

VCSU history students gather together during the annual Marketplace event in the fall semester.

VCSU has an active Phi Alpha Theta/History Club, allowing students to develop leadership skills and promote history across campus. Students have opportunities to present their research at the Dakota History Conference and the Northern Great Plains History Conference, in regional, professional history settings. The Social Science Department also periodically organizes overseas travel opportunities for VCSU students.

Contact Information

Department Chair

Dr. Emily Fenster, emily.fenster@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7313

Faculty Contact

Dr. Steven King, steven.king@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7108

Department Location

McFarland Hall 315, (701) 845-7301

Schedule your visit today!

http://visit.vcsu.edu/, (701) 845-7101 or (800) 532-8641

General Education Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
English Composition
Select one of the following:		6
ENGL 110	College Composition I
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
or
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
ENGL 210	College Composition III: Persuasive Writing
Speech Communication
Select one of the following:		3
COMM 110	Fundamentals of Public Speaking
COMM 212	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 216	Intercultural Communication
Mathematics
Select one of the following:		3
MATH 103	College Algebra
MATH 104	Finite Mathematics
MATH 107	Precalculus
MATH 110	Mathematics in Society
MATH 165	Calculus I
MATH 210	Elementary Statistics
Lab Science
Select two of the following, one must come from the Natural and Physical Sciences category		8
Natural and Physical Sciences (ND:LABSC)
BIOL 111	Concepts of Biology
BIOL 150	General Biology I
BIOL 151	General Biology II
BIOL 170	General Zoology
CHEM 115	Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 116	Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
CHEM 121	General Chemistry I
CHEM 122	General Chemistry II
GEOL 100	Introduction to Earth Science
GEOL 106	The Earth Through Time
PHYS 100	Concepts of Physics
PHYS 110	Introductory Astronomy
PHYS 211	College Physics I
PHYS 212	College Physics II
PHYS 251	University Physics I
PHYS 252	University Physics II
Additional Sciences (ND:SCI)
PSYC 240	Cognition and Brain Science
TECH 161	Technology, Engineering, and Design
TECH 165	Technology Solutions for Society
Wellness
Select one of the following:		2
HPER 100	Concepts of Fitness and Wellness
HPER 212	Introduction to Stress Management
Computer Science and Literacy
Select one of the following:		3
CIS 147	Principles of Information Security
CIS 170	Introduction to Computer Information Systems ¹
CSCI 120	Introduction to Programming
CSCI 127	Introduction to Programming in Java
CSCI 160	Introduction to Structured Programming I
CSCI 289	Social Implications of Computer Technology ¹
SE 110	Discovering Computing
Humanities
Literacies
Select one of the following:		3
ASL 101	American Sign Language I
ASL 102	American Sign Language II
COMM 211	Oral Interpretation
ENGL 220	Introduction to Literature
ENGL 225	Introduction to Film
ENGL 231	Bible as Literature
ENGL 232	Mythology
ENGL 236	Women and Literature
ENGL 241	World Literature I
ENGL 242	World Literature II
ENGL 261	American Literature I
ENGL 262	American Literature II
HUM 201	Civilization, Thought, and Literary Heritage
PSYC 200	Ethics and Philosophy of Science
SPAN 101	1st Year Spanish I
SPAN 102	1st Year Spanish II
SPAN 201	2nd Year Spanish I
SPAN 202	2nd Year Spanish II
THEA 110	Introduction to Theatre Arts
Art and Music
Select one of the following:		3
ART 110	Introduction to the Visual Arts
ART 115	Introduction to Digital Media
ART 210	Art History I
ART 211	Art History II
ART 233	History of Craft
HUM 202	Fine Arts and Aesthetics
MUS 100	Music Appreciation
MUS 101	Music Fundamentals
MUS 201	World Music
MUS 207	History of Popular/Rock Music
Social Science
Select 6 credits from the following:		6
COMM 112	Understanding Media and Social Change
COMM 114	Human Communication
ECON 201	Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 202	Principles of Macroeconomics
GEOG 151	Human Geography
HIST 103	United States to 1877
HIST 104	United States to Present
HIST 211	World Civilizations to 1500
HIST 212	World Civilizations since 1500
HIST 267	Environmental History
HIST 270	Native American Studies
POLS 115	American National Government
POLS 116	State and Local Government
PSYC 111	Introduction to Psychology
SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology
SOC 111	Introduction to Anthropology
Additional Humanities or Social Science
Select one additional course from Humanities or Social Science or select from the following:		2
ART 122	Two-Dimensional Design
ART 130	Drawing I
ART 150	Ceramics I
ART 180	Photography I
GEOG 111	Survey of Geography
MUS 104	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 105	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 130	Valkyries
MUS 131	Concert Choir
MUS 140	Athletic Band
MUS 141	Concert Band
PHYS 275	Planetarium Science
THEA 201	Theatre Practicum
Total Credits		39

¹: Course satisfies the Digital Literacy graduation requirement.

Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
HIST 103	United States to 1877	3
HIST 104	United States to Present	3
HIST 211	World Civilizations to 1500	3
HIST 212	World Civilizations since 1500	3
HIST 220	North Dakota History	3
HIST 400	Historiography	3
HIST 470	Topics in Non-Western History	3
HIST 491	Senior Capstone	1
Additional 3 credit course with HIST prefix numbered 300 or above.		3
Directed Electives
3 credits must be taken from 300 level or above
The Americas
Select two of the following:		6
HIST 267	Environmental History
HIST 270	Native American Studies
HIST 300	Race, Ethnic, and Gender Relations
HIST 320	History of American West
HIST 330	History of the Civil War Era (1850-1877)
HIST 375	U.S. Constitution: Federalism
HIST 376	U.S. Constitution: Civil Liberties
HIST 380	The American Presidency
The World
Select one of the following:		3
HIST 321	History of Ancient Greece and Rome
HIST 325	History and Geography of England and Britain
HIST 454	Renaissance/Reformation
HIST 458	The World Wars: 1914-1945
HIST 460	The Atlantic World
Social Science
Select nine credits in the following prefixes: ECON, GEOG, POLS, PSYC, SOC (six credits at 300-level or above)		9
Total Credits		43

Total General Education 39 Hrs
Total Major Requirement 43 Hrs
Total Credits Needed to Graduate 120 Hrs

Note: This major requires a minor

For degree and graduation requirements, visit degree requirements and graduation requirements.

Plan of Study

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
CIS 170 (Gen Ed)	3	Cultural Block, Related Field/Minor	3
COMM 212 (Gen Ed)	3	ENGL 120 (Gen Ed)	3
ENGL 110 (Gen Ed)	3	HIST 267 (Gen Ed)	3
GEOG 111 (Gen Ed)	3	HPER 100 (Gen Ed)	2
MATH 210 (Gen Ed)	3	Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4
UNIV 150	1
	16		15
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Cultural Block, Related Field/Minor	3	Cultural Block, Related Field/Minor	3
HIST 103	3	HIST 104	3
Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4	HIST 320	3
Literacies (Gen Ed)	3	HIST 330	3
PSYC 111 (Gen Ed)	3	PSYC 250	3
	16		15
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Art and Music (Gen Ed)	3	Cultural Block, Related Field/Minor	3
Cultural Block, Related Field/Minor	3	Cultural Block, Related Field/Minor	3
Cultural Block, Related Field/Minor	3	GEOG 362	3
HIST 211	3	HIST 212	3
HIST 454	3	HIST 220	3
	15		15
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Cultural Block, Related Field/Minor	3	Cultural Block, Related Field/Minor	3
HIST 270	3	Cultural Block, Related Field/Minor	3
HIST 400	3	Cultural Block, Related Field/Minor	3
HIST 470	3	HIST 491	1
		HIST 497	3
		SOC 300	3
	12		16
Total Credits 120

Please note: This plan is intended for general information only. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor each semester before registration.

Learning Outcomes

Content: Students will accumulate knowledge and understanding of the necessary material to establish historical context and causality. Content will be demonstrated by thesis driven, evidence based responses to historical scenarios.
Social theory: Students will develop an understanding of the philosophies, methodologies, and theories that define, give meaning to, and shape scholarly understanding of the social sciences. Social theory will be demonstrated through thesis driven research that applies relevant theories or methodologies to historical writing.
Application: Students will demonstrate their content knowledge and understanding of social theory and use them in a manner that illustrates that they can apply it in real world experiences.