Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Major: History

Program Overview

The CWRU history curriculum allows students to explore the human past, and its influence on the present, offering courses that cover nearly every era and region of the world. The department's course offerings also have a broad topical range—a partial list includes the history of science, technology, and medicine; the exploration of gender, race, and class; international relations, diplomacy, and military history; imperialism and colonization; the history of law and crime; the history of cities; religion; immigration; revolutions; and the history of ideas. 

Every course offered by the department will also hone student skills in the critical examination of evidence, the crafting of persuasive arguments, and oral and written communication.

The capstone course ensures that every history major will have an opportunity to do original research.

Advanced Placement Credit

Beginning with the Fall 2018 semester, the Department of History will grant credit for one 3 credit hour elective to any student who has scored a 5 on any of the AP History tests, has been invited to participate in the 1 credit hour HSTY 100, and has successfully completed that course. That 3 credit hour elective cannot be applied to the UGER Breadth Requirement or to the major or minor in history.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to demonstrate basic historical literacy, or knowledge of fundamental processes and events.
• Students will be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of different historical methods and approaches to the study of history.
• Students will be able to demonstrate critical reading skills.
• Students will be able to make clear written arguments backed by historical evidence.
• Students will be able to conduct original historical research.

Teacher Licensure

Students admitted to Case Western Reserve University prior to Fall 2024 can declare a second major in Teacher Education and prepare for licensure in Adolescent to Young Adult (grades 7-12) in any one of the following areas: Integrated Language Arts (English major), Integrated Social Studies (history major), Integrated Mathematics (mathematics major), Life Science (biology major), or Physical Science (chemistry or physics major); or 2) Multi-Age (grades preK–12) in French, Spanish, or Latin. Eligible students interested in the teacher education program should refer to the General Bulletin for the year they entered Case Western Reserve University for the specific program requirements. 

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Accelerated Master's Programs

Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.

Major Requirements

The major requires a minimum of 30 credit hours in history courses, including:

a

The remaining seven electives must include one course in U.S. history, one course in pre-modern history, and one course each in at least two other, different geographical areas. Each course can only fulfill one requirement.