Historical Studies, BA
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Program Description
Introduction
The Historical Studies curriculum offers courses that acquaint students with the various methods of historical study, provide them with a broad understanding of the major themes of human history, and give them the opportunity to propose and implement their own research projects. Designed to help students develop careful, thoughtful self-expression, particularly in written form, the curriculum is composed of courses of increasing difficulty, progressing from introductory and intermediate courses in content areas, to upper-level seminars and finally to the senior capstone courses, Historical Methods and Thesis Seminar. The capstone seminars provide opportunities for students to explore their individual research interests and share their experiences with faculty and their peers. Students also achieve competence in a second language, which they may use in study tours and semester or summer study abroad.
Students interested in pairing a degree in History with teaching certification for K-12 are encouraged to explore the K-12 History Certification Concentration. Core history course requirements remain the same, while cognates and At-Some-Distance courses are tailored to facilitate students’ progress through the courses required for New Jersey Teachers Certification.
Admission to the Program
Students are encouraged to declare the Historical Studies major by the end of their freshman year and to meet with a preceptor from the Historical Studies faculty every semester. Transfer students should declare their major as part of the application process. Failure to do so may make it difficult for students to complete the major within the standard 128-credit graduation requirement.
Graduation Requirements for Historical Studies B.A.
In addition to the University’s 64-credit General Studies requirement, students must satisfactorily complete 64 credits in program and cognate courses to qualify for the B.A. degree in Historical Studies:
I. Program Courses – A Minimum of 40 Credits
10 four credit courses in History (HIST) with a grade of C or better as follows.
A. Introductory Course
Students must complete one of the following courses:
HIST 1101 Introduction to the Study of History
HIST 1335 Introduction to Public History
These are gateway classes designed for Historical Studies majors who are freshman and transfer students in their first year of the program. It is also open to non-majors who are interested in learning about the practice of history. HIST 1101 or HIST 1335 is a prerequisite for enrollment in HIST 4690 Capstone I: Design. This requirement cannot be satisfied by transfer credits or classes.
B. 1000-3000 Level HIST Requirement:
Students must complete 20 credits of HIST courses at the 1000-3000 level with
Minimum 4 credits in a pre-modern class
Minimum 8 credits in a non-US and Non-European class; only 4 credits may be satisfied by transfer.
May be satisfied by a maximum of 12 transfer credits.
C. Upper-level HIST Requirements
These classes are designed for Historical Studies majors who are juniors and transfer students. They are also open to non-majors who are interested in learning about the practice of history. Students must complete a minimum of 8 credits in
3650 Debates in History
3660 History Lab or an approved Internship
HIST 3xxx Debates or HIST 3xxx History Lab is a prerequisite for enrollment in Capstone I: Design, HIST 4690. This requirement cannot be satisfied by transfer credits/classes.
D. The following two-course capstone sequence culminating in the Senior History Project.
· HIST 4690 Capstone I: Design, prerequisite HIST 1101 and HIST 3650 Debates or HIST 3360 History Lab
· HIST 4691 Capstone II: Project, prerequisite HIST 4690
E. History Electives:
Additional HIST courses chosen for student interest or to meet the minimum total number of required credits (40).
II. Cognate Courses
A minimum of 24 credits as cognate courses taken in disciplines related to Historical Studies, such as literature, philosophy, religion, art history, communications, politics, or the visual and performing arts. Specific Education courses (EDUC 4640 Methods of Teaching Secondary/K12, EDUC 4990 Full-Time Final Clinical Practice in Education, EDUC 4120, Reading in Content Area) can also count as cognates.
III. Historical Studies Languages and Culture Studies Requirement
Proficiency in a second language through the Intermediate II level is required.
· Option 1: The student completes the study of a language, other than English, through the Intermediate II level with a grade of C or better. This usually requires 16 credits in Language and Culture Studies (two Beginning LANG courses and two Intermediate LANG courses). Students who enter the program with a strong background in a foreign language may be able to place out of one or both of the Beginning classes.
· Option 2: The student participates in an approved study abroad program in a non-English speaking country. Programs may be for one semester (fall or spring) or at least six weeks during the summer. Study abroad programs may be used to fulfil part or all of the language requirement. Transfer credit varies.
· Option 3: The student completes a 3000 or 4000 level LANG course with a grade of C or better. Contact the Language Program Chair to ask about admission to the course.
· Option 4: The student tests out of the History Language requirement by achieving a score of “Intermediate Mid” on the ACTFL Reading Proficiency exam. For information on testing, consult https://www.languagetesting.com. Students who choose this option may be required to take additional cognate courses to meet Stockton's credit requirement for graduation.
· Option 5: Complete an interdisciplinary culture studies minor: Africana Studies, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Disability Studies, Global Studies, Jewish Studies, Latin and Caribbean Studies, or Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. HIST courses used to satisfy the minor may not be used for the major except as electives/cognates.
IV. Grade Requirement
A minimum grade of C is required in all courses counted toward the 64 program and cognate credits required for graduation.
Graduation Requirements for the K-12 or Secondary Education History Certification Concentration
This concentration is for students seeking a Historical Studies degree with K-12 or Secondary education certification. Degree completion requires a minimum of 128 credit hours. Students in this concentration must satisfy all Historical Studies program requirements in addition to NJ state Teacher Education requirements. Additional requirements to enter and exit the certification concentration include the basic skills test (Praxis Core, SAT, or ACT) and Praxis II. (See section on Teacher Education for complete requirements for teaching licensure.) All students interested in this concentration should consult a Historical Studies preceptor, the Teacher Education website (www.stockton.edu/educ), and a Teacher Education adviser.
In addition to the Historical Studies and second language courses for the Historical Studies B.A. outlined above, students in the Education concentration must complete the following:
Required EDUC Cognates (42-50 credits)
EDUC 4640 Methods of Teaching Secondary/K12 (4 credits)
EDUC 4990 Full-Time Final Clinical Practice in Education (12 credits)
EDUC 4120 Reading in Content Area (2 credits)
Required EDUC At-Some-Distance (ASD) courses* (31 credits)
EDUC 2231 Development of the Learner** (4 credits)
INTC 2610 Instructional Technology for K-12 Teachers** (4 credits)
GSS 3360 Schools of the Future*** (4 credits)
EDUC 2000 Gateway to NJ Teaching Profession (1 credit)
EDUC 2241 Inclusive Learning in Education (4 credits)
EDUC 3100 Part-Time Clinical Practice I in Education (2 credits)
+50 hours in urban school setting.
EDUC 3101 Part-Time Clinical Practice I in Education (2 credits)
+80 hours in 6-12 school setting.
EDUC 3200 Practices and Techniques of Teaching (4 credits)
EDUC 4600 Part-Time Clinical Practice II in Education (2 credits)
+100 hours in a 6-12 school setting
EDUC 4991 Final Clinical Practice Seminar (2 credits)
EDUC 4992 EdTPA Capstone (2 credits)
*Students in this concentration must complete the same W, Q, and H, I, V, A requirements demanded of all undergraduates at Stockton. Students must earn a grade of C or better in professional requirement courses and a grade of B- or better in professional education courses. Consult with the EDUC program for complete application and licensure requirements.
**Or equivalent GENS course.
*** Consult with an EDUC adviser about equivalent courses.
B.A./M.A. and B.A./MAT Degree
Qualified Historical Studies majors are eligible for admission into the M.A. or Certificate in American Studies at Stockton, the M.A. and MAT degree programs in the Federated History Department of Rutgers, Newark/NJIT, and the M.A. degree program in History at Rutgers, Camden. Qualified majors may also earn graduate credits while completing their undergraduate B.A. in Historical Studies. Students may contact the Program Chair for more information.
Graduation with Distinction
A Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction in Historical Studies may be awarded to the student who earns at least a 3.80 GPA in HIST program courses taken at Stockton, an overall GPA of at least 3.00, and a grade of A for the Senior Thesis.
Special Opportunities
Historical Studies students have ample opportunities to explore their own interests through individual or group study and research in a wide range of fields from local and American history to ancient Greek and Near Eastern civilizations. The accessibility of digital collections, Interlibrary loans, the close proximity of the Philadelphia libraries, and the open facilities at Rutgers University widely expand the research opportunities available to Stockton students. Internships with historical societies, libraries and art museums are also available.
Students interested in leadership opportunities are encouraged to join the History Club. Students who meet academic requirements may become members of the Stockton chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honor Society. Students who wish to be certified to teach K-12 social studies may do so by satisfying the requirements for a degree in Historical Studies and the additional requirements necessary for teacher certification. Qualified, advanced undergraduates may take courses in Stockton's graduate programs in American Studies and in Holocaust and Genocide Studies.
Career Opportunities
Students pursuing degrees in Historical Studies may prepare themselves for careers in teaching, law, journalism, library science, computers, government, civil service, administration, and the ministry. A history degree can also lead to opportunities in art institutes, galleries, museums, local and state historical associations, and to archival work with libraries, private organizations, and government agencies. More information on careers for Historical Studies majors and minors is available at the American Historical Association's website.
The Historical Studies curriculum worksheet is on the next page. Full details about the curriculum are accessible on the Historical Studies website.
