Overview of the Curriculum

Curriculum and Course Sequence

Within the History Department's curriculum, one can study the history of a wide range of peoples, cultures, and institutions. Department members offer courses in the history of the United States, Europe, Russia, South and East Asia, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. History classes examine these areas from a variety of broad historical perspectives, including political, social, cultural, intellectual, and economic. We also encourage students to explore history through a number of distinctive specializations such as women's history, labor history, environmental history, and the history of various groups including Jewish, Latino/Latina, and Asian American communities, among others.

The most common entry into the history curriculum is through 100-level courses, either surveys, which cover a broad time span and geographical range, or first-year seminars or colloquia for first- and second-year students, which explore particular historical problems or approaches in a small-class setting. In all fields, 200-level courses are largely topical, dealing with a more limited geography (one region or nation), time period, or historical problem. At the 300- and 400-levels, students can pursue advanced topics in small class settings, either colloquia or research seminars which provide focused training in historical research and writing. Many students arrange private readings with faculty members on topics of mutual interest. Some majors complete their work in the Department in the year-long honors (500-level) program.

Advanced Placement

Students with a grade of 4 or 5 on the U.S. History AP examination will be awarded four hours of credit. Students with a grade of 4 or 5 on the European AP history examination will be awarded three hours of credit, and students with a grade of 4 or 5 on the World History AP examination will be awarded three hours of credit. Students who have received AP credits are still encouraged to begin their history courses with the appropriate introductory level (100) courses as these are valuable gateways to subject matter and historical methodologies and approaches not often covered in high school courses. Students wishing to transfer IB or other credits originating from high school courses should consult the Chair of the Department. AP credit is granted only during the first year that a student enrolls at Oberlin College.

Major Work

The requirements of the History major are as follows:
a) a minimum of thirty hours in History courses.
b) at least one course from each of the following three regions: 1) North America 2) Europe, Russia 3) Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean. Transfer credits from Oberlin courses and college-level courses apply to this distribution requirement; credits earned at the secondary level, such as AP and IB, do not fulfill this requirement.
c) at least one 300-level or above course taught by faculty in the Oberlin History Department.
d) at least eighteen hours of course work taught by members of the Oberlin History Department. Twelve hours may be applied to the major through any combination of AP credit, credit from approved study-away programs, and credit from selected courses based on historical methodologies taught in African American Studies (African, African American, and Caribbean history), East Asian Studies (Korean History), Gender and Women’s Studies (Living with the Bomb), and Classics (Greek and Roman History).
e) First Year Seminars taught by members of the Oberlin History Department will count toward the major.
f) Grades below “C-“ will not count toward the major.

Concentrations in the Major

In consultation with their departmental advisor, majors are expected to develop a balanced program of historical study culminating in a concentration (at least four courses drawn from geographic, chronological, or thematic groupings). Your choice of field of concentration will depend on a number of factors including plans after graduation, particular interests, linguistic competencies, and staffing strengths in the Department. Should you have an “independent concentration” or a combination of concentrations in mind, please discuss this with your advisor. A fuller description of “Concentrations in the History Major” is available from History Department advisors, the History Department office, and this web site.

Minor Work

The minor in history consists of not fewer than fifteen hours of credit in history courses. These must include one 300-level or 400-level course. Minors must take at least ten hours of history from members of the Oberlin History Department.

Honors Program

The honors program in history offers the opportunity for recognition of distinguished achievement in historical research and writing. Qualified students are invited to enter the program in their seventh semester. Students wishing to be considered for honors should indicate that interest to the Chair of the department in their sixth semester. Further information is available from members of the department. See also the general statement on Honors.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of twelve hours can be transferred towards the major.

Winter Term

Most members of the Department will be participating in Winter Term and will be available to sponsor projects. Please check with individual instructors to determine availability and possible projects.