The Bachelor of Arts in History looks at the range of human experience: how people have lived in the past, how they live and coexist in the present, and the links between the two. Students learn to interpret the past by examining a variety of original sources: newspapers, letters and diaries, literature, government records, images, films, oral interviews, and more. Majors hone their skills in collecting, interpreting, and communicating information. Majors move on to careers in government, law, and management, as well as teaching and graduate study.
Policies
Students pursuing this degree must complete 36 credits within the major with at least 18 credits at the 300 and 400 levels. Additional credits of history in excess of 36 may be presented as elective credits to be counted toward graduation. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.00 in courses applied to the major.
HIST 300 Introduction to Historical Method (Mason Core) and HIST 499 RS: Senior Seminar in History (Mason Core) may not be used to satisfy the geographic distribution requirements in U.S. history, European history, and global, Latin American, African, Asian, or Middle Eastern history. No more than 3 credits of ARTH coursework may apply to the History BA. For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: minimum 120
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Before registering, students should see an advisor to help plan their history program to meet Mason Core and college-level requirements. The advisor also can help students choose electives or a minor.
Major without Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 300 | Introduction to Historical Method (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 499 | RS: Senior Seminar in History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
U.S. History
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Formation of the American Republic (Mason Core) | ||
| Development of Modern America (Mason Core) | ||
| The African American Experience in the United States: African Background to 1885 | ||
| American Scriptures (Mason Core) | ||
| The African American Experience in the United States: Reconstruction to the Present | ||
| History of Baseball | ||
| Basketball and the American Experience | ||
| History of Sport in the United States | ||
| History of the Olympics and the United States | ||
| Women during the Enslavement Era | ||
| Black Social Movements | ||
| Women's Activism: From Jim Crow to Black Power | ||
| U.S. Women's History | ||
| History of the Old South | ||
| The South since 1865 | ||
| War and American Society | ||
| The Civil War and Reconstruction | ||
| The Vietnam War (Mason Core) | ||
| History of Aviation | ||
| Uncovering the U.S. Past Through Film | ||
| Topics in U.S. History | ||
| History of Virginia to 1800 | ||
| Colonial America | ||
| Revolutionary Era in American History, 1763-1812 | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
European History
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| History of Western Civilization (Mason Core) 1 | ||
| Foundations of Western Civilization | ||
| Development of Western Civilization | ||
| Classical Greece | ||
| Classical Rome | ||
| Western Europe in the Middle Ages | ||
| The Renaissance | ||
| The Reformation | ||
| Old Regime and Revolutionary Europe | ||
| Nineteenth-Century Europe (Mason Core) | ||
| Europe in Crisis: 1914-1948 | ||
| Nationalism in Eastern Europe | ||
| History of Germany (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern France | ||
| Modern Britain | ||
| Stalinism | ||
| The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II | ||
| Rise of Russia (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in European History | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
- 1
Used to fulfill the Mason Core requirement in Western civilization may also fulfill 3 credits of this requirement
Global, Latin American, African, Asian, or Middle Eastern History
Approved courses in history used to fulfill the Mason Core requirement in global understanding and the college-level requirement in non-Western culture may be used to fulfill this requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Global History (Mason Core) | ||
| Freshman/Sophomore Seminar in Global History | ||
| Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of African History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of African History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | ||
| History of Traditional China | ||
| Modern China (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Postwar Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Post-1949 China (Mason Core) | ||
| History of South Africa (Mason Core) | ||
| Revolution in Latin America (Mason Core) | ||
| Conquest and Colonization in Latin America (Mason Core) | ||
| Comparative Slavery | ||
| Global History of Christianity (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Global History (Mason Core) | ||
| Globalization and History (Mason Core) | ||
| Arab-Israeli Conflict | ||
| Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core) | ||
| The Middle East in the 20th Century | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Electives in the Major
Students may also meet the elective requirement by completing an optional concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four electives in history 1 | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
Students should choose courses in history at the 300 or 400 levels to meet this requirement if they need credits to complete the 18-credit, upper-level history requirement. In addition to HIST courses, history majors may use one 300-level ARTH course and HNRS 240 Reading the Past (Topic Varies) to fulfill this requirement.
Major with Concentration
Available Concentrations
- Concentration in Digital History (HISD)
- Concentration in Public History (HISP)
- Concentration in Global History (HISG)
- Concentration in U.S. History (HISU)
- Individualized Concentration (IND)
Concentration in Digital History (HISD)
In this concentration, students explore and develop skills in using digital methods for the research, analysis, and presentation of history. Students interested in graduate education or careers in the digital humanities and new media or in working with digital methods in museums, archives, and other public history institutions should consider this concentration.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 300 | Introduction to Historical Method (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 499 | RS: Senior Seminar in History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 390 | The Digital Past (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Select three electives from the following (must include at least 6 credits in HIST): | 9 | |
| Topics in Digital History (can be repeated for credit when topic is different) | ||
| Web Authoring and Design | ||
| Rhetoric and New Media | ||
other coursework, including internships, approved by the program director | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
U.S. History
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Formation of the American Republic (Mason Core) | ||
| Development of Modern America (Mason Core) | ||
| American Scriptures (Mason Core) | ||
| The African American Experience in the United States: African Background to 1885 | ||
| The African American Experience in the United States: Reconstruction to the Present | ||
| History of Baseball | ||
| Basketball and the American Experience | ||
| History of Sport in the United States | ||
| History of the Olympics and the United States | ||
| Women during the Enslavement Era | ||
| Black Social Movements | ||
| Women's Activism: From Jim Crow to Black Power | ||
| U.S. Women's History | ||
| History of the Old South | ||
| The South since 1865 | ||
| War and American Society | ||
| The Civil War and Reconstruction | ||
| The Vietnam War (Mason Core) | ||
| History of Aviation | ||
| Uncovering the U.S. Past Through Film | ||
| Topics in U.S. History | ||
| History of Virginia to 1800 | ||
| Colonial America | ||
| Revolutionary Era in American History, 1763-1812 | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
European History
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| History of Western Civilization (Mason Core) 1 | ||
| Foundations of Western Civilization | ||
| Development of Western Civilization | ||
| Classical Greece | ||
| Classical Rome | ||
| Western Europe in the Middle Ages | ||
| The Renaissance | ||
| The Reformation | ||
| Old Regime and Revolutionary Europe | ||
| Nineteenth-Century Europe (Mason Core) | ||
| Europe in Crisis: 1914-1948 | ||
| Nationalism in Eastern Europe | ||
| History of Germany (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern France | ||
| Modern Britain | ||
| Stalinism | ||
| The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II | ||
| Rise of Russia (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in European History | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
- 1
Used to fulfill the Mason Core requirement in Western civilization may also fulfill 3 credits of this requirement
Global, Latin American, African, Asian, or Middle Eastern History
Approved courses in history used to fulfill the Mason Core requirement in global understanding and the college-level requirement in non-Western culture may be used to fulfill this requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Global History (Mason Core) | ||
| Freshman/Sophomore Seminar in Global History | ||
| Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of African History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of African History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | ||
| History of Traditional China | ||
| Modern China (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Postwar Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Post-1949 China (Mason Core) | ||
| History of South Africa (Mason Core) | ||
| Revolution in Latin America (Mason Core) | ||
| Conquest and Colonization in Latin America (Mason Core) | ||
| Comparative Slavery | ||
| Global History of Christianity (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Global History (Mason Core) | ||
| Globalization and History (Mason Core) | ||
| Arab-Israeli Conflict | ||
| Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core) | ||
| The Middle East in the 20th Century | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Concentration in Public History (HISP)
In this concentration, students explore a variety of issues related to preserving historical materials and presenting historical information to a broader public. Students interested in graduate education in public history or in working in public history institutions such as museums, libraries, archives, and historic sites should consider this concentration.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 300 | Introduction to Historical Method (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 499 | RS: Senior Seminar in History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 396 | Introduction to Public History | 3 |
| HIST 390 | The Digital Past (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 399 | Internship 1 | 3 |
| Select one elective from the following: | 3 | |
| Topics in Public History | ||
| Uncovering the U.S. Past Through Film | ||
| The Museum (Mason Core) | ||
| Documentary and Non-Fiction Film/Media (Mason Core) | ||
other coursework, not including internships, approved by the program director | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
- 1
Students work individually with the department's internship coordinator to find appropriate internships. HIST 399 may be repeated up to a maximum of 9 credits, and students in the public history concentration are encouraged to take more than 3 credits of internships, with additional credits beyond the first 3 counting as general electives.
U.S. History
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Formation of the American Republic (Mason Core) | ||
| Development of Modern America (Mason Core) | ||
| American Scriptures (Mason Core) | ||
| The African American Experience in the United States: African Background to 1885 | ||
| The African American Experience in the United States: Reconstruction to the Present | ||
| History of Baseball | ||
| Basketball and the American Experience | ||
| History of Sport in the United States | ||
| History of the Olympics and the United States | ||
| Women during the Enslavement Era | ||
| Black Social Movements | ||
| Women's Activism: From Jim Crow to Black Power | ||
| U.S. Women's History | ||
| History of the Old South | ||
| The South since 1865 | ||
| War and American Society | ||
| The Civil War and Reconstruction | ||
| The Vietnam War (Mason Core) | ||
| History of Aviation | ||
| Uncovering the U.S. Past Through Film | ||
| Topics in U.S. History | ||
| History of Virginia to 1800 | ||
| Colonial America | ||
| Revolutionary Era in American History, 1763-1812 | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
European History
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| History of Western Civilization (Mason Core) 1 | ||
| Foundations of Western Civilization | ||
| Development of Western Civilization | ||
| Classical Greece | ||
| Classical Rome | ||
| Western Europe in the Middle Ages | ||
| The Renaissance | ||
| The Reformation | ||
| Old Regime and Revolutionary Europe | ||
| Nineteenth-Century Europe (Mason Core) | ||
| Europe in Crisis: 1914-1948 | ||
| Nationalism in Eastern Europe | ||
| History of Germany (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern France | ||
| Modern Britain | ||
| Stalinism | ||
| The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II | ||
| Rise of Russia (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in European History | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
- 1
Used to fulfill the Mason Core requirement in Western civilization may also fulfill 3 credits of this requirement
Global, Latin American, African, Asian, or Middle Eastern History
Approved courses in history used to fulfill the Mason Core requirement in global understanding and the college-level requirement in non-Western culture may be used to fulfill this requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Global History (Mason Core) | ||
| Freshman/Sophomore Seminar in Global History | ||
| Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of African History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of African History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | ||
| History of Traditional China | ||
| Modern China (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Postwar Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Post-1949 China (Mason Core) | ||
| History of South Africa (Mason Core) | ||
| Revolution in Latin America (Mason Core) | ||
| Conquest and Colonization in Latin America (Mason Core) | ||
| Comparative Slavery | ||
| Global History of Christianity (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Global History (Mason Core) | ||
| Globalization and History (Mason Core) | ||
| Arab-Israeli Conflict | ||
| Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core) | ||
| The Middle East in the 20th Century | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Concentration in Global History (HISG)
In this concentration, students explore the interconnected histories of major world regions beyond the United States and Europe. Students interested in graduate education in global history or careers in government or business or with non-governmental organizations or other employers operating in the international arena should consider this concentration. Students in the global history concentration are especially encouraged to study abroad as part of their undergraduate program.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 300 | Introduction to Historical Method (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 499 | RS: Senior Seminar in History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 394 | Globalization and History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Select five courses chosen from the following lists. Three of the five courses must be chosen from one of the following areas: Asian, African, Latin American, Middle Eastern and North African, or Russian and Central Asian history. No more than 3 credits of ARTH coursework may apply to the History BA. | 15 | |
| Asian History | ||
| Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | ||
| History of Traditional China | ||
| Modern China (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Postwar Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Post-1949 China (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Global History (Mason Core) 1 | ||
Other HIST coursework approved by the program director | ||
| Survey of Asian Art (Mason Core) | ||
| Arts of India (Mason Core) | ||
| Arts of Southeast Asia (Mason Core) | ||
| Arts of China (Mason Core) | ||
| Arts of Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| African History | ||
| Survey of African History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of African History (Mason Core) | ||
| History of South Africa (Mason Core) | ||
| Comparative Slavery | ||
| Topics in Global History (Mason Core) 1 | ||
Other HIST coursework approved by the program director | ||
| Survey of African Art (Mason Core) | ||
| Latin American History | ||
| Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | ||
| Revolution in Latin America (Mason Core) | ||
| Conquest and Colonization in Latin America (Mason Core) | ||
| Comparative Slavery | ||
| Topics in Global History (Mason Core) 1 | ||
Other HIST coursework approved by the program director | ||
| Survey of Latin American Art (Mason Core) | ||
| Middle Eastern & North African History | ||
| Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | ||
| Arab-Israeli Conflict | ||
| Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core) | ||
| The Middle East in the 20th Century | ||
| Topics in Global History (Mason Core) 1 | ||
Other HIST coursework approved by the program director | ||
| Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt | ||
| Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (Mason Core) | ||
| Art of the Islamic World (Mason Core) | ||
| Russian & Central Asian History | ||
| Stalinism | ||
| The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II | ||
| Rise of Russia (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Global History (Mason Core) 1 | ||
Other HIST coursework approved by the program director | ||
| World History | ||
| Introduction to Global History (Mason Core) | ||
| Global History of Christianity (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Global History (Mason Core) 1 | ||
Other HIST coursework approved by the program director | ||
| Optional foreign language skills development course in history 2 | 1 | |
| Topics in History | ||
| Select four electives in history 3 | 11-12 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 1
Depending on topic.
- 2
Working individually with their instructor for an upper-level HIST course, students may pursue historical reading or other work to develop skills in an appropriate foreign language in which they have already met the CHSS requirement for intermediate-level proficiency.
- 3
Students should choose courses in history at the 300- or 400-levels to meet this requirement if they need to complete the 18-credit, upper-level history requirement. In addition to HIST courses, students may apply HNRS 240 Reading the Past (Topic Varies) and/or one 300-level ARTH course not counted above toward this requirement. In total, no more than 3 credits of ARTH may be applied to the history BA.
Concentration in U.S. History (HISU)
In this concentration, students focus in-depth on the history of the United States while developing research and writing skills and completing at least one course in applied history. Students interested in law, government, and other career paths or in graduate education in U.S. history should consider this concentration.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 300 | Introduction to Historical Method (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 499 | RS: Senior Seminar in History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Select one applied history elective from the following: | 3 | |
| The Digital Past (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Digital History | ||
| Introduction to Public History | ||
| Topics in Public History | ||
| Internship | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
U.S. History
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select five U.S. history courses from the following, with at least two from each list. | 15 | |
Origins to 1877 | ||
| Formation of the American Republic (Mason Core) | ||
| The African American Experience in the United States: African Background to 1885 | ||
| U.S. Women's History | ||
| History of the Old South | ||
| War and American Society | ||
| The Civil War and Reconstruction | ||
| History of Virginia to 1800 | ||
| Colonial America | ||
| Revolutionary Era in American History, 1763-1812 | ||
| Topics in U.S. History 1 | ||
1877 - Present | ||
| Development of Modern America (Mason Core) | ||
| American Scriptures (Mason Core) | ||
| The African American Experience in the United States: Reconstruction to the Present | ||
| History of Baseball | ||
| Basketball and the American Experience | ||
| History of Sport in the United States | ||
| History of the Olympics and the United States | ||
| Women during the Enslavement Era | ||
| Black Social Movements | ||
| Women's Activism: From Jim Crow to Black Power | ||
| U.S. Women's History | ||
| The South since 1865 | ||
| War and American Society | ||
| The Vietnam War (Mason Core) | ||
| History of Aviation | ||
| Uncovering the U.S. Past Through Film | ||
| Topics in U.S. History 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
When topic applies and with department approval.
European History
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| History of Western Civilization (Mason Core) 1 | ||
| Foundations of Western Civilization | ||
| Development of Western Civilization | ||
| Classical Greece | ||
| Classical Rome | ||
| Western Europe in the Middle Ages | ||
| The Renaissance | ||
| The Reformation | ||
| Old Regime and Revolutionary Europe | ||
| Nineteenth-Century Europe (Mason Core) | ||
| Europe in Crisis: 1914-1948 | ||
| Nationalism in Eastern Europe | ||
| History of Germany (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern France | ||
| Modern Britain | ||
| Stalinism | ||
| The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II | ||
| Rise of Russia (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in European History | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
- 1
Used to fulfill the Mason Core requirement in Western civilization may also fulfill 3 credits of this requirement
Global, Latin American, African, Asian, or Middle Eastern History
Students in the concentration in U.S. History are encouraged to take at least one course with a broadly global perspective such as HIST 394 Globalization and History (Mason Core). Approved courses in history used to fulfill the Mason Core requirement in global understanding and the college-level requirement in non-Western culture may be used to fulfill this requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Global History (Mason Core) | ||
| Freshman/Sophomore Seminar in Global History | ||
| Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of African History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of African History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | ||
| History of Traditional China | ||
| Modern China (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Postwar Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Post-1949 China (Mason Core) | ||
| History of South Africa (Mason Core) | ||
| Revolution in Latin America (Mason Core) | ||
| Conquest and Colonization in Latin America (Mason Core) | ||
| Comparative Slavery | ||
| Global History of Christianity (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Global History (Mason Core) | ||
| Globalization and History (Mason Core) | ||
| Arab-Israeli Conflict | ||
| Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core) | ||
| The Middle East in the 20th Century | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Individualized Concentration (IND)
Students who wish to design their own concentration must submit a one-page proposal and create a curriculum plan to be approved by the program director. This option may be particularly appropriate for students who want to focus on U.S. history or European history without emphasis on digital or public history methods.
All students in the individualized concentration will be required to complete HIST 300 Introduction to Historical Method (Mason Core), HIST 499 RS: Senior Seminar in History (Mason Core), and 15-18 credits of breadth requirements modeled on the geographic distribution coursework in the history BA without concentration. For their remaining 12-15 credits in history, students will work with the program director to plan coursework that explores their chosen concentration across time periods and geographical lines as appropriate.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated as "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in history may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 300 | Introduction to Historical Method (Mason Core) | 3 |
| or HIST 499 | RS: Senior Seminar in History (Mason Core) | |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Upper Level Requirement
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.
Additional Electives
Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.
College Level Requirements for the BA Degree
In addition to the Mason Core program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the coursework below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (Mason Core requirements or requirements for the major).
Philosophy or Religious Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
PHIL 1 | ||
- 1
Note that the following courses may not be used to fulfill this requirement:
- PHIL 323 Classical Western Political Theory
- PHIL 324 Modern Western Political Theory
- PHIL 327 Contemporary Western Political Theory
- PHIL 393 Humanities College to Career
- PHIL 460 Senior Seminar in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
Additionally, PHIL 253, RELI 235, RELI 333, and RELI 339 cannot be used to fulfill both the philosophy/religious studies requirement and the Mason Core literature requirement.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits of social and behavioral sciences from the following (additional to the Mason Core social and behavioral sciences requirement) 1 | 3 | |
| ANTH | ||
| CRIM | ||
| ECON | ||
| GOVT | ||
| HIST 2 | ||
| LING | ||
| PSYC | ||
| SOCI | ||
| Or choose from the following GGS courses: | ||
| Major World Regions (Mason Core) | ||
| Human Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Geoinformation Technologies | ||
| Political Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Geography of Resource Conservation (Mason Core) | ||
| Population Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Economic Geography | ||
| Urban Geography | ||
| Geography of the United States | ||
| Geography of Latin America | ||
| Geography of Europe | ||
| Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | ||
| Geography of Eastern Europe and Russia | ||
| Urban Planning | ||
| Geography of Virginia | ||
- 1
The two courses used to fulfill the combined college and Mason Core requirements must be from different disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences.
- 2
HIST 100 and HIST 125 may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
Foreign Language
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language, fulfilled by: 1 | ||
Or achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test | ||
Or completing the following ASL three course sequence: | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) I | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) II | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) III | ||
- 1
Students who are already proficient in a second language may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement. Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Non-Western Culture
Select 3 credits of an approved course in the study of a non-Western culture (additional to the Mason Core requirement in global understanding)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits (additional to Mason Core Global Understanding requirement) 1 | ||
| ANTH 114 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 300 | Civilizations | 3 |
| ANTH 302 | Peoples and Cultures of Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 307 | Ancient Mesoamerica (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 308 | Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 309 | Peoples and Cultures of India (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 313 | Myth, Magic, and Mind (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 314 | Zombies | 3 |
| ANTH 317 | East Asian Cultures | 3 |
| ANTH 330 | Peoples and Cultures of Selected Regions: Non-Western | 3 |
| ANTH 332 | Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Globalization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 381 | Medical Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 396 | Issues in Anthropology: Social Sciences (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARAB 360 | Topics in Arabic Cultural Production | 3 |
| ARAB 365 | Black and Minority Cultures in Arabic Literature (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARAB 420 | Survey of Arabic Literature | 3 |
| ARAB 440 | Topics in Arabic Religious Thought and Texts (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 203 | Survey of Asian Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 204 | Survey of Latin American Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 206 | Survey of African Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 317 | The Black Pharaohs: Art and Archaeology of Ancient Nubia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 318 | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt | 3 |
| ARTH 319 | Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 320 | Art of the Islamic World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 382 | Arts of India (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 383 | Arts of Southeast Asia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 384 | Arts of China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 385 | Arts of Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 482 | RS: Advanced Studies in Asian Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CHIN 318 | Introduction to Classical Chinese (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CHIN 320 | Contemporary Chinese Film | 3 |
| CHIN 325 | Major Chinese Writers (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CHIN 470 | Special Topics in Chinese Studies | 3 |
| DANC 118 | Global Dance Perspectives I (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 361 | Economic Development of Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 362 | African Economic Development (Mason Core) | 3 |
| FREN 454 | Topics in Caribbean Francophone Literature and Culture | 3 |
| GGS 101 | Major World Regions (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GGS 316 | Geography of Latin America | 3 |
| GGS 317 | Geography of China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GGS 325 | Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | 3 |
| GGS 399 | Select Topics in GGS | 3 |
| GOVT 332 | Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | 3 |
| GOVT 333 | Politics of East Asia | 3 |
| GOVT 338 | Politics of Eurasia | 3 |
| GOVT 340 | Central Asian Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 341 | Chinese Foreign Policy | 3 |
| GOVT 345 | Islam and Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 433 | Political Economy of East Asia | 3 |
| HIST 251 | Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 252 | Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 261 | Survey of African History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 262 | Survey of African History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 271 | Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 272 | Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 281 | Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 282 | Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 326 | Stalinism | 3 |
| HIST 327 | The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II | 3 |
| HIST 328 | Rise of Russia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 329 | Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 353 | History of Traditional China | 3 |
| HIST 354 | Modern China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 356 | Modern Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 357 | Postwar Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 358 | Post-1949 China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 360 | History of South Africa (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 364 | Revolution in Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 365 | Conquest and Colonization in Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 366 | Comparative Slavery | 3 |
| HIST 377 | The Vietnam War (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 384 | Global History of Christianity (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 387 | Topics in Global History (Mason Core) | 3-6 |
| HIST 461 | Arab-Israeli Conflict | 3 |
| HIST 462 | Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 465 | The Middle East in the 20th Century | 3 |
| JAPA 310 | Japanese Culture in a Global World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| JAPA 340 | Topics in Japanese Literature (Mason Core) | 3 |
| JAPA 380 | Japan in Motion | 3 |
| KORE 300 | Korean Culture and Society | 3 |
| KORE 320 | Korean Popular Culture in a Global World | 3 |
| KORE 385 | Introduction to Korean Linguistics | 3 |
| MUSI 103 | Musics of the World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 211 | Introduction to Religions of the "West" (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 212 | Introduction to Religions of Asia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 312 | Islam (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 313 | Hinduism (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 314 | Chinese Philosophies and Religious Traditions | 3 |
| RELI 315 | Buddhism (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 317 | Daoism | 3 |
| RELI 318 | Korean Philosophy and Religions | 3 |
| RELI 338 | Qur'an and Hadith | 3 |
| RELI 342 | Comparative Study of Mysticism | 3 |
| RELI 344 | Muhammad: Life and Legacy | 3 |
| RELI 358 | Islamic Thought (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 367 | Islamic Law, Society, and Ethics | 3 |
| RELI 368 | Islam, Democracy, and Human Rights (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 384 | Global History of Christianity (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 490 | Comparative Study of Religions (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RUSS 353 | Russian Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RUSS 354 | Contemporary Post-Soviet Life (Mason Core) | 3 |
| WMST 407 | Transnational Sexualities | 3 |
- 1
A course used to fulfill the Mason Core global understanding requirement may not be simultaneously used to satisfy this college-level requirement. A course used to fulfill this requirement may be used simultaneously to fulfill any other requirements (Mason Core requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major). Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Mason Core
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
Students who have completed the following credentials are eligible for a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower level) requirement categories. The Integration category (upper level) is not waived under this policy. See Admissions for more information.
- VCCS Uniform Certificate of General Studies
- VCCS or Richard Bland Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.&S.), or Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (lower-level) | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Information Technology and Computing | 3 | |
| Exploration Requirements | ||
| Arts | 3 | |
| Global Contexts | 3 | |
| Global History | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 7 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Just Societies (optional) 1 | ||
| Integration Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (upper-level) | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Mason Apex 3 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
In addition to covering content related to the designated category, Exploration level courses marked with a Just Societies "flag" are specifically designed to help students learn how to interact effectively with others from all walks of life, including those with backgrounds and beliefs that differ from their own. Courses marked with the Just Societies flag are available for students starting in Fall 2024. Students admitted prior to the Fall of 2025 are not required to take courses with a Just Societies flag but may wish to do so to increase their knowledge and skills in this important area. Students interested in this approach to completing their Mason Core Exploration Requirements should work closely wiht their advisor to identify the appropriate Just Societies-flagged courses.
- 2
Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core.
- 3
Minimum 3 credits required.
Bachelor of Arts in History Sample Plan of Study
A sample four year graduation plan and degree planning worksheet can be found at https://academicaffairs.chss.gmu.edu/undergraduate-students/advising/advising-sheets. The plan is a recommended sequencing of courses based on prerequisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor each semester and with their PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.
Program Outcomes
- Research. History majors will demonstrate historical thinking skills, including the ability to find appropriate historical evidence, evaluate evidence, synthesize evidence, and critically read and evaluate both primary and secondary sources.
- Written communication. History majors majors will develop the skills necessary to communicate the findings of their research. Through a curriculum that emphasizes progressively longer and more sophisticated writing projects, History majors will become proficient at effective written communication in general as well as in the specific disciplinary requirements of History.
- Oral communication. In almost all cases, students in History classes are called on to defend historical conclusions aloud. History majors will learn to give organized, clear presentations in which they both offer complicated historical analysis aloud and defend their conclusions in front of an audience.
- Digital literacy. History majors will learn to apply the tools and methods of the digital humanities for historical research and for the communication of the fruits of historical research.
- Synthesis. History majors are taught how best to combine the different elements of the skillset they have built up in the program. Students in the program pull together a variety of sources, analyze and weigh evidence to make an argument, situate that argument within the relevant scholarly literature, connect it to important social concerns, and then communicate all this clearly and effectively both in person and in print.
Honors in the Major
History majors who have completed 75 credits (a minimum of 15 in history, 6 of which must have been taken at Mason) with an overall GPA of 3.50 and a GPA of 3.50 in history courses are eligible to apply to graduate with honors in history. Applicants must have completed or be enrolled in HIST 300 Introduction to Historical Method (Mason Core). The statement of application should include references from at least one Mason history faculty member. If a major part of the student’s work includes transfer credit, transcripts may be required. Not all applicants who meet the minimum requirements are guaranteed acceptance into honors in the major.
Students pursuing honors in the major will take a two-semester course sequence: HIST 490 Honors Directed Readings and HIST 491 Honors Directed Research. HIST 490 Honors Directed Readings will focus on the design of a major research project and HIST 491 Honors Directed Research will focus on completing that project. To graduate with honors in the major, students must earn a minimum GPA of 3.50 in the honors courses and a minimum GPA of 3.50 in history courses applied to the degree. A grade of B or higher in HIST 490 Honors Directed Readings is required to proceed to HIST 491 Honors Directed Research. The two honors courses (6 credits) may be applied to the requirement of 36 credits in history and successful completion of HIST 491 Honors Directed Research satisfies the seminar course requirement in place of HIST 499 RS: Senior Seminar in History (Mason Core).
The accelerated master's programs listed below specify the BA in history as a feeder degree for their programs. Many other accelerated master's programs are also available for any bachelor's degree at Mason. See the full list of degrees with accelerated programs at George Mason.
History, BA/History, Accelerated MA
Overview
Highly-qualified Mason undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA in History and an MA in History in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.
See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies. For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.
Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits, including HIST 300 Introduction to Historical Method (Mason Core) with a minimum grade of B+.
Students who are accepted in the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits.
Accelerated Master's Admissions Requirements
Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MA program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form:
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.25
- Completion of a HIST 499 RS: Senior Seminar in History (Mason Core) or HIST 491 Honors Directed Research
- Successfully meeting Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:
Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits)
500- or 600-level HIST courses
HIST 610 The Study and Writing of History is preferred, but not required
Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program
500- or 600-level HIST courses
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements see AP.6.7 Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies.
History, BA/Curriculum and Instruction, Accelerated MEd (Secondary Education History and Social Science Concentration)
Overview
Highly-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's option and obtain a BA in History and an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction (Secondary Education History and Social Science concentration) in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 143 credits.
See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree for policies related to this program.
This accelerated option is offered jointly by the Department of History and Art History and the School of Education.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies. For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits, and additional unit-specific criteria.
Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits and course-specific pre-requisites.
Accelerated Master’s Admission Requirements
Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MEd program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form:
- 3.0 overall GPA
- Completion of specific undergraduate coursework
- Successfully meeting Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following which can be taken as Advanced Standing or Reserve Graduate credit (to be determined by the student and their advisor):
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDRD 619 | Disciplinary Literacy | 3 |
| SEED 522 | Foundations of Secondary Education | 3 |
| SEED 540 | Human Development and Learning: Secondary Education | 3 |
| SEED 567 | Teaching Social Studies in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 667 | Advanced Methods of Teaching Social Sciences in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED approved elective | ||
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies.