How to Declare a Major or Minor in History

Steps to take

STEP 1 – Choose and contact a faculty advisor

The first step to majoring or minoring in history is to meet with a faculty member who will serve as your advisor. The history department does not assign advisors to students. Instead, prospective majors and minors should contact and set up a meeting with a faculty member whose research and teaching fields aligns with their interests. If you are unsure who to choose as an advisor, contact History Vice Chair Leslie Butler for assistance identifying potential major advisors.

STEP 2 – Think about courses

In order to plan your major or minor, you should consult the list of planned history course offerings over the next two years. Prior to meeting with your faculty advisor, think about courses that appeal to you, fit your D Plan, and/or fulfill the major, modified major, or minor requirements. Use our course schedule table to search for history courses by term and major requirement.

In particular, you should think about the upper level seminars (HIST 96) that you would like to take as part of your major or minor, starting as early as sophomore summer. In these small classes, limited to 12 students, students engage in high-level historical discussion and produce a significant piece of original research and writing. Look for seminars that have a connection to other course work that you have done in the history department and can serve as the culminating experience of your historical study.

STEP 3 – Meet with your faculty advisor and fill out the major/minor worksheet

When you meet with your faculty advisor, bring your ideas about courses and seminars, along with a copy of a history major or minor worksheet.

The major worksheet can be found here:

Class of 2024 and Beyond History Major Worksheet
Class of 2023 and Before History Major Worksheet

The modified major worksheet can be found here:

Class of 2024 and Beyond History Modified Major Worksheet
Class of 2023 and Before History Modified Major Worksheet

The minor worksheet can be found here:

Class of 2024 and Beyond History Minor Worksheet
Class of 2023 and Before History Minor Worksheet

Your faculty advisor will help you develop a plan of courses that fits your interest and fulfills the major or minor requirements. After you fill out your major worksheet, have your faculty advisor approve it by signature or via email.

When you fill out the worksheet, you should email the professors who are teaching the seminars (HIST 96) that you hope to take in order to inquire about any enrollment requirements and/or to be placed on their enrollment list. Enrollment in seminars is by instructor permission only. Some seminars are in high demand and the enrollment list fills more than a year in advance; the earlier you declare your major or minor, the better the chances of getting the seminars that you want.

STEP 4 – Turn in your major or minor worksheet and enter your plan into DartWorks

Turn in your signed worksheet to Department Administrator Bruch Lehmann in Carson 311 or via email to bruch.lehmann@dartmouth.edu. After you have completed your worksheet, go to DartWorks to select your courses and complete the online major or minor declaration process. Please note: Your major or minor plan in DartWorks will not be approved until you have turned in your advisor-approved major or minor worksheet to Department Administrator Bruch Lehmann.