Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History

Virginia Commonwealth University

The Bachelor of Arts in History requires a minimum of 120 credits, with at least 36 of those credits in history. Students must complete HIST 300 with a minimum grade of C prior to enrolling in more than six credits of 300- or 400-level history courses. Students in the program can take advantage of a wide range of courses with thematic, topical, national or chronological emphases to fulfill requirements and electives. Students should consult with their advisers each semester to design a program that meets these requirements and suits their interests and career objectives. The history curriculum exposes students to a multidimensional analysis of the human past. Faculty members seek to impart to students an awareness of the forces of change and continuity good judgment as to the appropriateness (or inappropriateness) of analogies between one set of historical circumstances and another an appreciation of the need for skepticism and informed judgment in historical studies and an understanding of the role of biases and frames of reference in historical research. As such, the study of history not only has the intrinsic appeal of any disciplined intellectual inquiry, but also leads to personal and social awareness within the rich tradition of the liberal arts. The B.A. in History provides students an ideal preparation for a wide range of careers and further professional study, and it constitutes an indispensable basis for active citizenship.

College of Humanities and Sciences