History, BA

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.

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.

Advanced Placement Credit

Beginning with the Fall 2018 semester, the Department of History will grant credit for one 3-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-hour HSTY 100, and has successfully completed that course. That 3-hour elective cannot be applied to the GER Breadth Requirement or to the major or minor in history.

Teacher Licensure

Case Western Reserve University offers licensure programs in music education and art education as degree programs in each of those departments.  Additionally, CWRU’s Teacher Education Program offers a licensure track for students who wish to pursue a teaching career in their content area in grades 7-12 Adolescent to Young Adult.  Licensure areas are: English Language Arts (English major), Integrated Social Studies (history major), Integrated Mathematics (math major), Life Science (biology major), Physical Science (chemistry major), or Physical Science (physics major).  A Multi-Age license in grades PreK-12 is available in French, Spanish or Latin. Students must fulfill the degree requirements for their primary major and declare Teacher Education as a second major. The Teacher Education major consists of 36 hours in education, including a student teaching semester.  The program places students in mentored teaching situations at every stage of their training, capitalizing on the relationships the university has built with area schools.

For the subject area requirements for teacher licensure, please visit the program page for Teacher Education, BA.

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.