History (B.A., B.S.)

Departmental Requirements (15 hours)

• HIST 151 - United States History I (C) [SGR #3, HSDC]
• HIST 152 - United States History II (C) [SGR #3, HSDC]
• HIST 480 - Historical Methods and Historiography (C)

•  

• HIST 111 - World Civilizations I (C) [SGR #4, HSDC]
• HIST 112 - World Civilizations II (C) [SGR #4, HSDC]

• Or

• HIST 121 - Western Civilization I (C) [SGR #4, HSDC]
• HIST 122 - Western Civilization II (C) [SGR #4, HSDC]

Departmental Electives (15-21 hours)

A minimum of 6 hours of American history and a minimum of 6 hours of non-American history must be included.

Diversity Requirement (0-6 credit hours)

Courses can also satisfy the American/non-American requirement.

• Choose from the following courses:

• HIST 343 - Race, Imperialism, and Empire
• HIST 349 - Women in American History (C)
• HIST 351 - Indigenous Women
• HIST 424 - Early Church (C)
• HIST 454 - Race and Slavery in America
• HIST 458 - America: 60s & 70s
• HIST 461 - Sex & Equality: Modern U.S. Women’s Movements
• HIST 478 - Native American History to 1890
• HIST 479 - Native American History from 1890
• HIST 492 - Topics (C)

History B.A. or B.S. with Secondary School Certification

A secondary school teaching degree may be acquired through the Department of History (B.A. or B.S.) or through the School of Education (B.S. Ed.).  Students who wish to obtain certification to teach secondary school must also complete coursework and testing in the School of Education. Please contact the History Department or the School of Education for further information.

History Double Major (30 Hours)

See History Double Major  for program requirements.

Secondary Education-History Education specialization (B.S.Ed.)

See Secondary Education-History Education specialization (B.S.Ed.)  for requirements.

Four-Year Program Guides and Costs

USD encourages students to take 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan.

• History, B.A. 4-year plan guide  
• History, B.S. 4-year plan guide  

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate that they can formulate a research question or thesis statement in writing a research paper. AHATP 18.
2. Students will demonstrate that they can conduct a bibliographic search for their research paper using library resources and online databases. AHATP 11, 14
3. Students will demonstrate a critical approach to reading, interpreting and using primary sources in writing research papers. AHATP 17, 18
4. Students will demonstrate historical objectivity and an awareness of context In writing a research paper. AHATP 6, 7, 9
5. Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.
6. Students will be able to systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgements, and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
7. Students will engage in purposeful, ongoing learning activities that improve their knowledge, skills and competence in their personal and professional lives.
8. Students will recognize when there is a need for information and identify, locate, evaluate and effectively and responsibly use and convey that information to address the need or problem at hand.
9. Students will intentionally engage with diversity in ways that increase awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication, and empathic understanding of the complex ways individuals interact within systems and institutions leading to opportunities for equal access to participation in educational and community programs for all members of society.

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference the State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization