Welcome to the Department of History!
"What can you do with a history major?" Anything and everything. Our majors' careers have ranged from the legal and medical professions, to working for federal and state governments, to
becoming librarians and teachers, to working in banks, private industry,
and even construction! Uniformly, our graduates comment that the skills
they have learned as history majors are applicable to any field of
endeavor. They learn how to read critically, to write persuasively and
with precision, and to be able to distill a large quantity of
information into a manageable essence. Further, our graduates learn how
to research a variety of topics, from the origins of the modern corporation to the history of civil rights cases. They speak with precision
and consequently are in demand in corporate and civic boardrooms, in
classrooms and churches, and in universities across the country. More than any other discipline, history enables students to understand issues and events in context. In short,
being a history major is preparing oneself for success an ever more complex world.
Download the Field of Study Declaration
Download the HST Major Requirement Checklist
How to Become a HST Major
If you are currently enrolled as a Furman student, and wish to become a history major, please schedule a meeting with the department chair,
Dr. John Barrington, to complete the necessary forms and to be assigned an advisor in the History Department.
Requirements for a history major (
also see the Furman University course catalog):
- a foundation course in European history: HST-101, 102, 103, or 104; and a foundation course in North American history: HST-121 or 122. You may be exempt from these requirements if you have scored a 4 or 5 on the AP U.S. or European exams.
- a foundation course on the history of Africa, Asia, or Latin America: HST-141, 142, 145, 152, 153, 155, 156, 161, 162, 165, or 166.
- at least three advanced courses (i.e. courses numbered between HST-200 and 399).
- at least one course designated as the study of "pre-modern" history:
HST-101, 102, 103, 141, 155, 161, 165, 201, 203, 206, 207, 208, 260, and
sometimes HST-356 and 359, depending on their specific focus.
- a senior seminar: HST-475.
- at least two other elective history courses of any kind.
Note that:
- courses that meet the "pre-modern" requirement may also satisfy foundation, advanced, or elective course requirements.
- one First Year Seminar taught by a member of the History Department may
contribute towards the major, and will be considered as one of the
two elective courses.
- students scoring a 4 or 5 in AP US, European, or World history may count up to two such courses towards the major.
- all exceptions to major requirements must be approved by the department chair.
If you have questions about becoming a history major,
please contact our department chair for more information.