Major

Refer to the Class of 2024 and Beyond History Major Worksheet for the successful completion of at least ten history courses meeting the requirements.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

For the purposes of the major requirements applicable to the class of 2024 and later, most courses fall into one of six areas: (1) Africa (AFR), (2) Asia, (3) Europe (EUR), (4) Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), (5) Middle East (ME), (6) United States (US). Your ten history courses must include one course from at least four of these six areas.

CHRONOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION

Your ten history courses must include, at a minimum, two premodern courses and two modern courses.

SEMINARS

All majors in the department must complete two courses involving advanced historical practice, one of which will represent the culminating experience. Most students meet this requirement by enrolling in two 96s, which are small courses (normally capped at 12) that allow students to work closely with a faculty member and to produce a final project that represents either original research in primary sources or a historiographical contribution to the existing scholarly literature. Those who complete the London FSP or the Honors Seminar need to complete only one 96 on campus. For FSP students, their on campus 96 will be the culminating experience. For students in the Honors Program, the honors thesis will be the culminating experience. Careful advanced planning regarding enrollment in 96s is necessary for two reasons. First, the capped enrollment means that several 96s will have more students wishing to take the course than available space. In these cases, the department and the instructor will prioritize enrollment. Second, work at the advanced level is most rewarding when it builds upon previous exposure to a field. Students should work with their advisors to select a number of classes related to a geographic, chronological, or thematic area that will prepare them for their advanced coursework. Students should then consider which seminars can best build on this previous coursework.

LIMITS AND EXCLUSIONS

1. At least five history courses must be taken in residence at Dartmouth College, one of them being HIST 96.
2. HIST 7 (First-Year Seminar) and History 99 (Honors Thesis) may not be counted toward the Standard Major.
3. Students may not use more than two independent study courses (HIST 97) in satisfying the requirements of the Standard Major.
4. Only those major courses passed with a letter grade may be counted in satisfaction of the major. Courses taken under the Non-Recording Option (NRO) may not be used toward completion of the major.
5. Major GPA is figured on all history courses taken.
6. The Department will consider approving transfer credits for history majors and non-majors only for history courses taken at institutions with which Dartmouth College has institutional exchange programs.
7. Only transfer students may receive credit for courses taken at other colleges or universities prior to matriculation at Dartmouth.

Refer to the Class of 2023 and Before History Major Worksheet for the successful completion of at least ten history courses meeting the requirements.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

Your ten history courses must include, at a minimum:

1. One course from the United States (such courses are designated Major Dist: US);
2. One course from the history of Europe (designated Major Dist: EUR);
3. Two courses from the histories of Africa, Asia, Latin America and Caribbean (designated Major Dist: AALAC);
4. One Interregional or Comparative history course (designated Major Dist: INTER).

CHRONOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION

Your ten history courses must contain, at a minimum, two pre-1700 or three pre-1800 courses.

SEMINARS

All majors in the department must complete two courses involving advanced historical practice, one of which will represent the culminating experience. Most students meet this requirement by enrolling in two 96s, which are small courses (normally capped at 12) that allow students to work closely with a faculty member and to produce a final project that represents either original research in primary sources or (with colloquia) a historiographical contribution to the existing scholarly literature. Those who complete the London FSP or the Honors Seminar need to complete only one 96, which represents the culminating experience for the major.

Careful advanced planning regarding enrollment in 96s is necessary for two reasons. First, the capped enrollment means that several 96s will have more students who wish to take the course than there are available spots. In these cases, the department and the instructor will prioritize enrollment. Second, work at the advanced level is most rewarding when it builds upon previous exposure to a field. You should work with your advisor to consider which seminars can best represent this sequencing model that follows exposure to a topic in introductory and upper-level classes.

LIMITS AND EXCLUSIONS

1. At least five history courses must be taken in residence at Dartmouth College, one of them being HIST 96.
2. HIST 7 (First-Year Seminar) and History 99 (Honors Thesis) may not be counted toward the Standard Major.
3. Students may not include more than two of the following courses: HIST 1, 2 or 3.
4. Students may not use more than two independent study courses (HIST 97) in satisfying the requirements of the Standard Major.
5. Only those major courses passed with a letter grade may be counted in satisfaction of the major. Courses taken under the Non-Recording Option (NRO) may not be used toward completion of the major.
6. Major GPA is figured on all history courses taken.
7. The Department will consider approving transfer credits for History majors and non-majors only for history courses taken at institutions with which Dartmouth College has institutional exchange programs.