History Program Requirements for 2023-2024

B.A. in History

A cumulative grade point average of 2.00 is required for all history (HIST) courses taken in residence that may be applied to the major. At least 17 of the required 33 HIST credits must be taken at St. John Fisher University.

Note:  There are additional specific requirements for history majors who are also majoring in inclusive adolescence education. Please refer to these specific course requirements below.

Requirements

Required History Courses – 15 credits

  • HIST 101D – P3 Europe and the World, 1500–1815 (3)
  • HIST 102D – P3 Europe and the World Since 1815 (3)
  • HIST 103D – P3 The United States to 1865 (3)
  • HIST 104D – P3 The United States Since 1865 (3)
  • Choose ONE Non-Western course:
    • HIST 106D –  Asian Civilization Since 1800 (3)
    • HIST 131C –  Ancient Warfare (3)
    • HIST 180P –  The Vietnam Conflicts (3)
    • HIST 219 – Modern Middle East (3)
    • HIST 291D – P3 Japan Since 1800 (3)
    • HIST 292D – P3 China Since 1800 (3)

Electives – 18 credits

See the general major and departmental concentrations below. Major elective courses must be chosen from the departmental concentrations and at least two of the six elective courses must be at or above the 300 level or above.

Total: 33 credits

Major and Concentration Options

The General Major

Students must complete a minimum of 18 credits beyond the required 15 credits. The courses are selected from the four departmental concentrations, with at least one course from each of the following concentrations: social/cultural studies; political/economic studies; strategic/military/diplomatic studies; and leadership/applied history studies. At least two of the six elective courses must be at or above the 300 level.

Departmental Concentrations

Students may elect a departmental concentration in social/cultural studies; political/economic studies; strategic/military/diplomatic studies; and leadership/applied history studies. A student must complete at least three courses within the chosen concentration and at least one course in each of the other three concentrations.

Social/Cultural Studies

Dr. Lawrence Fouraker, Director
Dr. Carolyn Vacca, Interim Director

Offering basic, thematic, and topical courses, social/cultural studies invites students to develop their analytical skills. Guiding its participants through the development, evolution, and interaction of culture and societal norms across the globe, this program examines the significance of societies' successes and failures in both domestic and foreign policies. Consequently, it provides a solid foundation for graduate study or a career in education.

Social/Cultural Studies Course Offerings:

  • HIST 106D – Asian Civilization Since 1800 (3)
  • HIST 111 – Panics and Pandemics (3)
  • HIST 116D – P2 Asian Religions (3)
  • HIST 161 – Hitler and Hollywood (3)
  • HIST 202 – P1 Women and Gender in the 19th Century (3)
  • HIST 203 – History of Sport (3)
  • HIST 205D – CC United States Social History: The Family (3)
  • HIST 208 – Ancient and Medieval Europe (3)
  • HIST 218 – P5 Iran: Past and Present (3)
  • HIST 219 – Modern Middle East (3)
  • HIST 2200 – Ascertaining the Truth (3)
  • HIST 221 – P1 Women and the Arts (3)
  • HIST 223 – P5 Culture and Cuisine (3)
  • HIST 226 – P5 Contemporary Italy (3)
  • HIST 2308 – History of Hunting (3)
  • HIST 237D – P1 The Female Body: A Problem to Grow into (3)
  • HIST 250C – P2 The History of the Papacy (3)
  • HIST 255 – CC Early Britain (3)
  • HIST 256 – CC Britain Since 1688 (3)
  • HIST 257 – P5 History of Ireland (3)
  • HIST 258 – History of Canada (3)
  • HIST 273 – Crime and Punishment: History (3)
  • HIST 281D – Native American and United States Relations (3)
  • HIST 294 – The Irish in New York (3)
  • HIST 301 – P1 Japanese History through Film (3)
  • HIST 302 – P1 Chinese History through Film (3)
  • HIST 303 – P1 Indian History through Film (3)
  • HIST 320 – The Crisis of the Union, 1829-1877 (3)
  • HIST 330C – Populist and Progressive Era, 1877-1918 (3)
  • HIST 375 – The Italian Renaissance (3)
  • HIST 401 – Topics in Social/Cultural History (3)
Political/Economic Studies

Dr. Stephen Valone, Director

A political/economic studies concentration emphasizes the interaction of political and economic systems across the globe and their significance for the modern world. The concentration offers basic and topical courses to advance the understanding of policy and governance. This concentration is a good basis for graduate studies or legal education.

Political/Economic Studies Course Offerings:

  • HIST 105D – Worlds in Collision (3)
  • HIST 2210 – Contemporary Issues (3)
  • HIST 234 – China and New Global Economy (3)
  • HIST 238 – History of Leadership (3)
  • HIST 246C – CC Modern Russia (3)
  • HIST 252D – British Empire, 1550-1950 (3)
  • HIST 275D – Nazi Germany (3)
  • HIST 291D – P3 Japan Since 1800 (3)
  • HIST 292D – P3 China Since 1800 (3)
  • HIST 298D – New York State History (3)
  • HIST 300 – The Modern World: Geography and Politics (3)
  • HIST 340D – America Between the Wars, 1918-1941 (3)
  • HIST 351P – The United States Since 1945 (3)
  • HIST 402 – Selected Topics in Political/Economic Studies (3)
  • HIST 430 – American Economic History (3)
  • HIST 441 – American Colonial History (3)
Strategic/Military/Diplomatic Studies

Dr. Oliver Griffin, Director

Modern states have sought to protect their interests and project their policies through the instruments of foreign relations. Following the Napoleonic Wars, the basic conduct of international affairs became increasingly complex and centered rapidly around the essential security issues of survival and defense. The publication of Clausewitz's  Vom Kriege (On War) shortly thereafter was both evidence and stimulus to the militarization of greater Europe. The Franco-Prussian War of 1871 accelerated, and World War I firmly established, the tenets of strategic doctrine as the basis of foreign relations throughout the Western world, including the United States. The most significant debates of 20th-century history, therefore, may be found in the alternating use of military or diplomatic means to achieve national strategic goals.

This concentration seeks to introduce students to the principal issues that have shaped the history of foreign relations and global affairs. It offers participants the opportunity to study the policies, strategies, wars, and ideologies that have produced the most profound conflict and compromise in human history. Designed for the general history major, it is especially useful for students interested in pursuing graduate or legal studies or careers in government, defense, or foreign service occupations.

Strategic/Military/Diplomatic Studies Course Offerings:

  • HIST 110C – P3 The American Revolution, 1763-1783 (3)
  • HIST 120 – The Civil War (3)
  • HIST 130D – P3 United States Military History (3)
  • HIST 131C – P3 Ancient Warfare (3)
  • HIST 140C – War and American Society (3)
  • HIST 150 – World War I (3)
  • HIST 160C – World War II in Europe (3)
  • HIST 170D – World War II in the Pacific (3)
  • HIST 177D – Asian Military History (3)
  • HIST 180P – P3 The Vietnam Conflicts (3)
  • HIST 2101 – Perspectives on War (3)
  • HIST 244 – Women and War (3)
  • HIST 260D – American Diplomatic History (3)
  • HIST 287 – Cold War Asia (3)
  • HIST 385D – War and State (3)
  • HIST 403 – Topics in Military and Diplomatic Studies (3)
  • HIST 445 – Diplomatic History of Modern Europe (3)
Leadership/Applied History Studies

Dr. Frederick H. Dotolo III, Director

The leadership/applied history studies concentration provides students the opportunity to learn about innovative approaches to the study of history and community applications of history. Courses connect the academic and public discourse, provide experiential learning, and promote civic engagement.

Leadership/Applied Studies Course Offerings:

  • HIST 228 – Gaming European History (3)
  • HIST 229 – Caliphs, Khans, and Communists (3)
  • HIST 272P – CC Martin and Malcolm (3)
  • HIST 296D – The History of Rochester (3)
  • HIST 310D – The New Republic 1783-1829 (3)
  • HIST 315 – Napoleon's Europe, 1789-1815 (3)
  • HIST 390 – Public History: Historians and the Community (3)
  • HIST 395 – The Usable Past (3)
  • HIST 404 – Topics in Leadership/Applied History (3)
  • HIST 498H – Honors in History (3)

B.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education/History Dual Major

Students pursuing teaching certification in inclusive adolescence education (social studies) may dual major in inclusive adolescence education and history and earn a Bachelor of Science degree. In addition to meeting all of the inclusive adolescence education requirements (40–43 credits: see Inclusive Adolescence Education for details) the History Department in conjunction with the Education Department has outlined the following history major requirements for certification in social studies. Students must earn grades of “C” or above in all courses in the content area.

  • HIST 101D – P3 Europe and the World, 1500-1815 (3)
  • HIST 102D – P3 Europe and the World Since 1815 (3)
  • HIST 103D – P3 The United States to 1865 (3)
  • HIST 104D – P3 The United States Since 1865 (3)
  • Choose ONE non-western course (3):
    • HIST 106D – Asian Civilization Since 1800
    • HIST 219 – Modern Middle East
    • HIST 291D – P3 Japan Since 1800
    • HIST 292D – P3 China Since 1800
  • TWO electives from Political/Economic Studies (6)
    • HIST 300 – The Modern World: Geography and Politics (required)
    • HIST 298D – New York State History (strongly recommended)
  • TWO electives from Social/Cultural Studies (6)
    • HIST 208 – Ancient and Medieval Europe (strongly recommended)
  • ONE elective from Strategic/Military/Diplomatic Studies (3)
  • ONE elective from Leadership/Applied History Studies (3)
    • A HIST course in Global History to 1500 is strongly recommended
  • ONE economics course (3) chosen from:
    • ECON 105C – P3 Principles of Microeconomics
    • ECON 106C – P3 Principles of Macroeconomics
  • POSC 111C – P3 Introduction to American Government (3)

Total: 39 credits

Note:  These requirements add six additional credits to the content area of the history major. As early as possible, students should consult with an education advisor to set up a program leading to certification. 

B.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education Major with a Social Studies Concentration (HIST)

Students pursuing teaching certification in inclusive adolescence education (social studies) may choose to complete a concentration in history instead of a major and earn a Bachelor of Science degree. In addition to meeting all of the inclusive adolescence education requirements (40–43 credits: see Inclusive Adolescence Education for details), the History Department in conjunction with the Education Department, has outlined the following courses that meet the New York state requirement for social studies certification. Students must earn grades of “C” or above in all courses in the content area.

  • HIST 101D – P3 Europe and the World 1500-1815 (3)
  • HIST 102D – P3 Europe and the World Since 1815 (3)
  • HIST 103D – P3 The United States to 1865 (3)
  • HIST 104D – P3 The United States Since 1865 (3)
  • ONE of the following non-western courses (3):
    • HIST 106D – Asian Civilization Since 1800
    • HIST 219 – Modern Middle East
    • HIST 291D – P3 Japan Since 1800
    • HIST 292D – P3 China Since 1800
  • TWO electives from Political/Economic Studies (6)
    • HIST 300 – The Modern World: Geography and Politics (required)
    • HIST 298D – New York State History (strongly recommended)
  • ONE elective from Social/Cultural Studies (3)
    • HIST 208 – Ancient and Medieval Europe (strongly recommended)
  • ONE elective from Strategic/Military/Diplomatic Studies (3)
  • ONE elective from Leadership/Applied History Studies (3)
  • ONE of the following economics courses (3):
    • ECON 105C – P3 Principles of Microeconomics
    • ECON 106C – P3 Principles of Macroeconomics
  • POSC 111C – P3 Introduction to American Government (3)

Total: 36 credits

Note: It is highly recommended that students interested in teaching social studies take HIST 208 – Ancient and Medieval Europe. 

B.S. Inclusive Childhood Education Major with a Liberal Arts Major/Concentration in History

Students pursuing teaching certification in inclusive childhood education must declare a second major or a concentration in a liberal arts field. Either choice results in a Bachelor of Science degree. Inclusive childhood education majors who wish to pursue a dual major with history take all of the major requirements listed above in addition to meeting all of the inclusive childhood education requirements (49-55 credits: see Inclusive Childhood Education for details). If an inclusive childhood education major wishes to complete a concentration in history, the History Department in conjunction with the Education Department has outlined the following courses that meet the New York state requirement for a liberal arts concentration in this field. Students must earn grades of “C” or higher in all courses in the content area.

  • HIST 101D – P3 Europe and the World, 1500-1815 (3)
  • HIST 102D – P3 Europe and the World Since 1815 (3)
  • HIST 103D – P3 The United States to 1865 (3)
  • HIST 104D – P3 The United States Since 1865 (3)
  • ONE of the following non-western courses (3):
    • HIST 106D – Asian Civilization Since 1800
    • HIST 219 – Modern Middle East
    • HIST 291D – P3 Japan Since 1800
    • HIST 292D – P3 China Since 1800
  • ONE course from Political/Economics Studies (3)
  • ONE course from Social/Cultural Studies (3)
  • ONE course from Leadership/Applied History Studies (3)
  • ONE course from Strategic/Military/Diplomatic Studies (3)
  • ONE history elective from any concentration area (3)

Total: 30 credits

Minor in History

A grade point average of 2.00 is required for all courses taken in residence that may be applied to the minor.

Requirements

  • A minor in history consists of 18 credits of history courses, with at least one of the classes at or above the 300 level.

Total: 18 credits

The minor in history may be completed online.

Note: Only one course already used to satisfy a major requirement may also be applied to the history minor. Electives may be chosen from any level, excluding any foundational core courses (Learning Community, Research-Based Writing, Data Analytics). HIST 3990 may be used as a minor elective.

Note: The program requirements listed are for the current academic year. Past and future program requirements may differ.