HISTORY
College of Arts and Letters

BACHELOR OF ARTS
MINOR
SUBJECT MATTER PROGRAM
MASTER OF ARTS
Ph.D. - PUBLIC HISTORY
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
FACULTY
CONTACT
COMPLETE COURSE LISTING

History, in the broad sense, is the study of all human experience. It examines the people, institutions, ideas, and events from the past to the present. The study of history contributes to cultural literacy and develops critical thinking and other useful skills while helping students understand the present and plan for the future. Historical study provides a solid, fundamental preparation for careers in business, industry, government, and education. It also serves as excellent preparation for law school, foreign service, international work, urban affairs, historical consulting, and library science.

History is an academic discipline offering both breadth and focus. At Sacramento State, the History major includes four lower division survey courses and three upper division seminars. In addition, students choose seven upper division electives from a wide variety available. The flexibility of the major allows students to focus on topical areas such as: women's history, the history of particular geographic areas, cultural history, ethnic group history, economic history, military history, and history from the ancient world to that of the U.S. in the 20th Century. Teaching credential candidates should complete the History/Social Science Precredential Program.

The Sacramento State History Department has an extensive master's program, offering degrees through the Standard Program, a History/Humanities Concentration, and the Public History Option. The History Department also offers a joint Ph.D. in Public History in cooperation with the University of California, Santa Barbara. Applications for admission to the joint Ph.D. are available at the UC Santa Barbara Department of History.

• The History Department administers two interdisciplinary minors: Middle East and Islamic Studies Minor and the Hellenic Studies Minor.
• The Capitol Campus History Resources Institute, Hellenic Studies Center, North Central Information Center, and the Center for Science, History, Policy and Ethics are associated with the Department.
• The California State Library, California State Archives, the Sacramento Discovery Museum, and the California State Railroad Museum provide a rich supply of materials for historical research. Sacramento State history students may use materials from these and other off-campus sources in their work.
• Internships are available in a variety of public agencies and in some private enterprises. They are open to majors and other students with some history or related background. In the past, students have interned in a variety of California state agencies and in the Sacramento Discovery Museum. The Department office has a descriptive brochure on internships that students are encouraged to consult.
• The undergraduate major in History at Sacramento State is designed to provide cultural enrichment and a sense of alternatives and perspectives, especially relevant in a society confronted with widespread institutional change. In addition to subject matter, the Department gives particular emphasis to various methodologies and ways of thinking about the past.
• A minor in History can provide valuable support to majors in many other programs, such as Business Administration, Journalism, and Criminal Justice.
• History courses also make excellent electives, contributing interest and variety to an academic program. Neither lower division nor upper division history courses are designed only for history majors or minors. The Department welcomes and encourages all students.
  

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

REQUIREMENTS - BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE

Units required for the Major: 42
Minimum total units required for the BA: 120
A minimum grade of "C-" is required in courses applied to the major.
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

A. Required Lower Division Courses (12 units)
(3)	HIST 17A	United States History, 1607-1877
(3)	HIST 17B	United States History, 1877-Present
(6) Select one of the following sets:
	HIST 4	Survey of Early Western Civilization AND
	HIST 5	Survey of Modern Western Civilization OR
	HIST 50	World Civilizations, Beginnings-1600 AND
	HIST 51	World Civilizations, 1600-Present
B. Required Upper Division Seminars (9 units)
Students should take HIST 100 in the second semester of their sophomore year; transfer students should take it in the first semester of their junior year after completion of at least 6 units of required lower division course work. After completing the majority of their upper division electives and passing the Writing Proficiency Exam, history majors should take one seminar from the Hist 192 series followed by one from the HIST 197 series. Typically, students take the HIST 197 seminar during their senior year.
(3)	HIST 100	Introduction to Historical Skills
(3)	HIST 192A*	Seminar in Recent Interpretations of U.S. History OR
	HIST 192B*	Seminar in Recent Interpretations of European History OR
	HIST 192C*	Seminar in Recent Interpretations of Asian History OR
	HIST 192D*	Seminar in Recent Interpretations of Middle Eastern History OR
	HIST 192E*	Seminar in Recent Interpretations of African History OR
	HIST 192F*	Seminar in Recent Interpretations of Latin American History OR
	HIST 192Z*	Seminar in Recent Interpretations of a Special Topic
(3)	HIST 197A*	Senior Research Seminar: U.S. History OR
	HIST 197B*	Senior Research Seminar: World History OR
	HIST 197C*	Senior Research Seminar: Public History
*Prerequisite: Passing score on the WPE. C. Upper Division Electives (21 units)
(3) One course in U.S. History
(3) One course in European History
(3) One course in the History of Africa, Asia, Latin America, or the Middle East
(12) Four additional upper division history courses selected in consultation with an advisor.

Notes: 

• Students should consult with a faculty advisor in their first semester at Sacramento State.
• Study of a foreign language is recommended.
• For substitutions in requirements, students should consult with a faculty advisor early in their program. Substitutions require the approval of the Department Chair.

REQUIREMENTS – SUBJECT MATTER PROGRAM – HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCE (PRE-CREDENTIAL PREPARATION)

Students seeking to major in history and to acheive subject matter competency for a secondary teaching credential should complete the following History/Social Science Pre-Credential Program. Students should seek advising with a History advisor at the earliest opportunity.

A. Required History Courses (39 units) Note: These courses should be listed on the student's graduation petition.
Lower Division Courses (12 units)
(3)	HIST 17A	United States History, 1607-1877
(3)	HIST 17B	United States History, 1877-Present
(3)	HIST 50	World Civilizations, Beginnings-1600
(3)	HIST 51	World Civilizations, 1600-Present
Upper Division Seminar (3 units)
(3)	HIST 100	Introduction to Historical Skills (This course should be taken the first semester of junior year.)
Upper Division Courses (6 units)
(3)	HIST 133	20th Century World History
(3)	HIST 183B	California History, 1860-1970
U.S. History (3 units)
(3)	Select one of the following:
	HIST 154, HIST 155, HIST 156, HIST 159, HIST 160, HIST 161, HIST 162, HIST 163, HIST 164, HIST 165, HIST 166, HIST 168, HIST 169, HIST 170, HIST 179, HIST 180, HIST 182, HIST 188
Pre-20th Century U.S. History (3 units)
(3)	Select one of the following:
	HIST 150, HIST 151, HIST 152, HIST 153, HIST 181, or HIST 183A
World (Non-U.S.) History (3 units)
(3)	Select one of the following:
	HIST 101, HIST 103, HIST 105, HIST 109, HIST 119, HIST 121, HIST 123, HIST 125, HIST 128A, HIST 128B, HIST 129A, HIST 129B, HIST 130, HIST 131, HIST 135A, HIST 135B, HIST 138A, HIST 138B, HIST 141, HIST 143A, HIST 143B, HIST 146A, HIST 146B, HIST 148A, HIST 148B, HIST 149 or HIST 157
Women/Ethnic History (3 units)
(3)	Select one of the following:
	HIST 122A, HIST 122B, HIST 142, HIST 167, HIST 171, HIST 172, HIST 173, HIST 177, HIST 178, HIST 185 or HIST 186
Required Seminar (3 units)
(3)	HIST 191	Seminar in Historical Interpretation and Analysis (HIST 100 and passing score on the WPE)
Interdisciplinary Seminar Course (3 units)
(3)	HIST 198	Summative Assessment for Teachers (Corequisite: HIST 100)
B. Additional Requirements Outside History (33 units) Note: These courses are part of the History/Social Science Subject Matter Program. Many may be double counted for General Education credit. They are not normally listed on the student's graduation petition.
Early Field Experience (3 units)
(3)	EDBM 170	Bilingual Education: Introduction to Educating English Learners
Economics (9 units)
(3)	ECON 1A	Introduction to Macroeconomic Analysis
(3)	ECON 1B	Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis
(3)	ECON 113	Economic History of the United States (ECON 1A or ECON 104)
Ethical Perspective (3 units)
(3)	Select one of the following:
	HRS 140, PHIL 2, PHIL 100, PHIL 101
Geography (6 units)
(3)	GEOG 100	Themes of World Geography
(3)	GEOG 121	U.S. and Canada
Government (9 units)
(3)	GOVT 1	Essentials of Government OR
	GOVT 150	American Governments
(3)	GOVT 35	World Politics
(3)	GOVT 180	California State and Local Government
Pluralism in American Society (3 units)
(3)	Select one of the following:
	ANTH 101, ETHN 100, GOVT 165, PSYC 135, or SOC 120

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The Master of Arts program in History introduces students to the use of the historical method, the critical investigation of problems in historical study, and the analysis and interpretation of primary source material. These skills are valuable in many professions, especially to students interested in pursuing graduate study culminating in the doctorate in History, experienced teachers of history in public schools, students who wish to teach in California Community Colleges, and to students seeking employment in archival management, oral history, consulting, and public sector historical research.

California State University, Sacramento is well situated to offer rich historical resources in several fields of study. The California State Archives, the California State Library and the Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center offer unique opportunities for the study of Western and California History. The presence of many state and community agencies dealing with historic preservation offers possibilities for stimulating internships, and the history graduate program is also able to draw upon rich materials in a number of areas of United States, European, and world history located in the Sacramento State Library.

In addition to its standard MA program, the History Department offers an Option in Public History, a Concentration in Humanities, and a Ph.D. in Public History.

Admission as a classified graduate student in the Standard and the Public History programs requires:

• a baccalaureate degree;
• an undergraduate major in History, OR a minimum of 27 semester units in History, or a closely related field, approved by the Graduate Coordinator. Fifteen of the units must be upper division and include one seminar from the HIST 192 series (or equivalent) and one seminar from HIST 197 series (or equivalent); and
• a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units attempted and a minimum 3.25 GPA in History courses.

Students who have deficiencies in admission requirements that can be removed by specified additional preparation may be admitted to the degree program with conditionally classified graduate status. Any deficiencies will be noted on a written response to the admission application. The department Graduate Coordinator will specify courses to be taken by students with fewer than 27 units of history and/or without the required seminars. Work taken to remove such deficiencies may not be counted toward the master's degree.

Applicants should file two applications: one to the Sacramento State Office of Graduate Studies for admission to the University, and the other to the Department of History for classified status in the History master's program. The History Department's application deadline is normally mid-March for the following fall and mid-September for the following spring (check with the Department office for the official deadline).

All applicants, including Sacramento State graduates, must file the following with the Office of Graduate Studies, River Front Center 206, (916) 278-6470:

• an online application for admission; and
• two sets of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State.

Applicants must also file the following with the Sacramento State History Department:

• a Department Application for Admission (available through the History Department office or website);
• a statement of purpose of at least 250 words. This statement should include reasons for applying to the master's program, career objectives and an explanation of how the program will help achieve them, relevant professional training, experience, internships, or volunteer activities, and any non-academic skills, interests, or notable accomplishments that may be pertinent to the application;
• two letters of recommendation. Letters should ideally come from university instructors, but if these are not available, any other credible source who can address qualifications will be acceptable (i.e., work supervisor, clergy, or community leader);
• a set of transcripts from all colleges attended, including Sacramento State (unofficial transcripts will suffice);
• academic writing sample (optional but highly encouraged).

Applicants will be informed of the Admission Committee's decision within six weeks of the Department's application deadline.

Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy, indicating a proposed program of graduate study. This procedure should begin as soon as the classified graduate student has:

• removed any deficiencies in admission requirements;
• completed at least 12 units in the graduate program with a minimum 3.0 GPA, including at least one 200-level course;
• determined with the History Graduate Coordinator whether to attempt the thesis or examination as the Culminating Requirement;
• determined which department faculty member will supervise the student's work and act as his/her History advisor; and
• filed and received departmental approval of a Petition for Approval of Thesis/Examination/Project (only in the Public History Option); and
• passed the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) or secured approval for a WPE waiver.

Students must file their Advancement to Candidacy in the semester prior to enrolling in History 500, Culminating Experience.

Advancement to Candidacy forms are available in the Office of Graduate Studies and the History Office. The student fills out the form after planning a degree program in consultation with his/her History advisor. The completed form is then returned to the Graduate Coordinator and the Office of Graduate Studies for approval.

REQUIREMENTS - MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE - STANDARD PROGRAM - COMPREHENSIVE OPTION

*Prerequisite: Classified status in History or instructor permisison.

Note: Students may not enroll in HIST 500 until all "Incomplete" grades received up to that point are completed. Students who receive "Incomplete" grades in course work after enrolling in HIST 500 will not receive final approval on thesis or examination until a passing grade has been assigned to incomplete course work.

Note: A foreign language is not a degree requirement. However, students who plan further graduate study in History are encouraged to study French, German, or another foreign language since proficiency in two foreign languages is usually required in doctoral programs.

REQUIREMENTS - MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE - STANDARD PROGRAM - SPECIALIZED OPTION

*Prerequisite: Classified status in History or instructor permission.

Note: Students may not enroll in HIST 500 until all "Incomplete" grades received up to that point are completed. Students who receive "Incomplete" grades in course work after enrolling in HIST 500 will not receive final approval on thesis or examination until a passing grade has been assigned to incomplete course work.

Note: A foreign language is not a degree requirement. However, students who plan further graduate study in History are encouraged to study French, German, or another foreign language since proficiency in two foreign languages is usually required in doctoral programs.

Units required for the Major: 30
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

Admission Requirements

The Humanities concentration allows students to blend Humanities and History courses focusing on areas such as cultural history, the history of ideas, and religious studies. Admission requirements for the Humanities concentration differ from those for the Standard and Public History programs.

Students electing the Humanities concentration must meet the following requirements:

• a baccalaureate degree;
• an undergraduate major in Humanities or a Humanities related degree subject to approval by the Department of Humanities and Religious Studies;
• a minimum of 21 units in History courses; 15 of the units must be in upper division courses and include one HIST 192 series seminar and one HIST 197 series seminar; may include a maximum of six units from a closely related field with the approval of the History Graduate Coordinator; and
• a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units attempted and a minimum 3.25 GPA in Humanities and Religious Studies and History courses.

Notes:

• Students may not enroll in HIST 500 or HRS 500 until all "Incomplete" grades received up to that point are completed. Students who receive "Incomplete" grades in course work after enrolling in these courses will not receive final approval on thesis or examination until a passing grade has been assigned to incomplete course work.
• A foreign language is not a degree requirement. However, students who plan further graduate study in History are encouraged to study French, German, or another foreign language since proficiency in two foreign languages is usually required in doctoral programs.

REQUIREMENTS - MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE - PUBLIC HISTORY

Units required: 36 including 9 units of supervised professional internship
Minimum required GPA: 3.0
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

The Public History Program offers a two-year course of study leading to the Master of Arts as a degree option within the History Department. The program provides an integrated professional curriculum that includes specialized project and internship experience in several concentrations including: archives and manuscripts, business history, oral history, public history research and analysis, and historic preservation. All students pursue a common course of study, gain professional experience through a series of internships, and complete a master's project or thesis within their area of program specialization.

Program requirements meet the educational guidelines of the Society of American Archivists, the Oral History Association, and the National Council on Public History. Graduates are qualified for listing on the Professional Register of Public Historians maintained by the California Committee for the Promotion of History.

All applicants must meet the requirements for admission as a classified graduate student in History. Applicants are also encouraged (but not required) to submit both verbal and quantitative scores from the aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination with their admission application.

Applications are available from the History Department Office. Students who are not enrolled in the program may take public history courses on a space available basis, with instructor permission.

DOCTORAL PROGRAM - Ph.D. - PUBLIC HISTORY

The joint doctoral program in Public History offered in cooperation with UC Santa Barbara provides training in public history, particularly in the following professional fields: history of public policy; cultural resource management; business and institutional history; and community and local history. Supporting courses are offered in oral history; archives and records administration; museum management; historic preservation; historical editing; and policy and litigation support.

Prospective applicants for the joint Ph.D. program should have completed a Master's degree in history, public history, or a related field (in unusual circumstances, highly qualified candidates can be admitted without the MA).

Applicants should provide the following information to the Graduate Program in Public History at UCSB: the appropriate application forms; transcripts of completed academic work; GRE scores; three letters of recommendation; and an essay explaining the applicant's reasons for seeking a Ph.D.

The Joint Public History Committee will review applications for admission and select the individuals to be admitted to the joint doctoral program.

Students admitted to the program must spend at least one academic year in residence on each of the two campuses.

In addition to the required research seminars and professional course work, students will complete an internship assignment and report.

To complete the doctoral program, students must pass a combination of written and oral examinations in four fields. These fields are typically: a general field (usually U.S. History); a specialized field within the general field; a third field encompassing the dissertation topic; a cognate field outside the department (e.g., art history, anthropology, political science).

In addition, each student will: pass one foreign language examination; complete a dissertation; and serve as a research or teaching assistant.

Questions about the program should be directed to Sacramento State Professors Christopher J. Castaneda (916) 278-6400 or Lee M. A. Simpson (916) 278-6628 and UCSB Professor Randy Bergstrom (805) 893-2644.

Pre-Law/Lawyer · Journalist · Pre-Theology/Clergy · Foreign Service · Teacher · Archivist · Researcher/Research Analyst · Museum Curator · State Park Historian · Librarian · Business-Person · Writer · Consultant · Historian · Banking · Market Research · Travel · Historical Societies

FACULTY Chloe Burke, Christopher Castaneda, Aaron Cohen, George Craft, Jeffrey Dym, Patrick Ettinger, Erika Gasser, Jessie Gaston, Candace Gregory, Rebecca Kluchin, Katerina Lagos, Afshin Marashi, Shirley Moore, Joseph Palermo, Joseph Pitti, Charles Postel, Charles Roberts, Mona Siegel, Lee M. A. Simpson, Michael Vann, Arthur Williamson CONTACT INFORMATION Christopher Castaneda, Department Chair Julie Cahill, Administrative Support Coordinator Tahoe Hall 3080 (916) 278-6206 www.csus.edu/hist

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