History, B.A.
The history major is intensive and engaging, combining breadth of knowledge with rigorous critical analysis of the diverse cultural, social and economic dimensions of past experience.
The major is regional, national and global in coverage, including courses in North Carolina and United States histories as well as Asian, African, Latin American, European and world histories.
With a focus on the philosophy and practice of history, the program is designed around small classes, thorough research, and open discussions—with particular attention given to historical writing and narrative.
Request Information
Take the next step toward completing your Bachelor of Arts in History degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
Get StartedTake the next step toward completing your Bachelor of Arts in History degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
As a history major, you are trained to use the cognitive and professional tools of the discipline that inform historical thinking, intellectual engagement in scholarly debates within the discipline and use of primary source materials in the construction of multiple narratives.
In short, knowledge of the political, social, economic, and cultural events of the past equips you with analytical, critical and innovative skills to address a variety of issues pertaining to the past as well as the present.
The small class sizes of the history program encourage interdisciplinary exploration and a rich learning community between faculty and students. Because of the size of the major’s curriculum, you also have the opportunity to choose a second major, and you are encouraged to consider options such as English, philosophy, political science, and/or religion, especially if you are considering graduate studies.
Learning Outside the Classroom
In the history major, much of the skills and content developed in the classroom environment is also applied in the real world through experiential learning and co-curricular activities.
-
Internships
Ongoing partnerships with local institutions such as the Hickory Landmarks Society and the Catawba County Historical Museum yield a number of student internships and archival research opportunities as well as field trips to historical sites throughout North Carolina and beyond.
-
Student Activities & Organizations
History faculty advise and support the LR History Club, a student organization founded in 2014 which works to promote community appreciation of and participation in local history activities.
We are committed to exposing students to the professional side of a historian’s education. As such, the program regularly sponsors trips to the annual meetings of American Historical Association and the Organization of American Historians in order to give you the opportunity to witness some of the highest levels of scholarship in the history discipline, network with faculty from potential graduate programs and experience the local history of other locations throughout the country via programs sponsored by the professional organization.
View Student Activities & Organizations
Careers & Graduate School
A major in history prepares you for a competitive workplace and/or advanced graduate studies.
The analytical and critical thinking skills that a history education imparts to students are the keys to success. There are very few fields and professions that do not benefit from historical knowledge. As a result, training within the major provides students with philosophical knowledge and analytical abilities that may be used in a variety of professions, including, but not limited to, education/teaching, museum and archival work, writing and publishing, public history and preservation, journalism, media consulting, government and tourism.
Because of the nature of the major, history is also among the most popular and the best preparations for legal careers.
Major Requirements
The history program seeks to provide a well-balanced and intellectually challenging major, flexible enough to meet the needs of students seeking a broad liberal arts background, a teaching career, admission to graduate or professional school or work in the areas of applied or public history. With its focus on critical thinking and communication skills, history contributes to the liberal arts curriculum and intellectual engagement by appropriate participation in the general education and serves those students taking history courses as electives, as a minor area or in conjunction with other majors. The history major earns a B.A. degree.
In addition, history in conjunction with other academic programs, supports majors in American studies and politics and international relations.
Honors
Students may be invited by the full-time history faculty to undertake a senior honors thesis. Upon successful completion of the thesis, along with HIS 498 and HIS 499, a student will graduate "with honors in history." Normally in order to be considered, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above and a minimum major GPA of 3.5 or above. The faculty may invite a student to undertake honors who has not met the GPA requirement, and likewise may not invite every student who has done so. HIS 498 may count as a history elective and HIS 499 counts as three credits beyond the major requirements.
-
General Education Requirements (37 hours)
Graduation Requirements (4 hours)
General Education Requirements
- Technical Requirements (3 Hours)
-
Major Requirements (37-39 Hours)
- HIS 201 - The American Experiment
- HIS 205G - Introduction to East Asian History
- HIS 206G - Introduction to Western European History
- HIS 208G - The Modern Developing World
- HIS 230G - The Long 20th Century
- HIS 225 - The Historian's Craft
- HIS 325 - Modes of Narrative
- HIS 400 - Senior Seminar
Choose Six Credits from the Following ListChoose One of the Following -
Major Electives - Choose Six Credits from the Following List
- HIS 248 - North Carolina
- HIS 266 - Public History
- HIS 381 - Special Topics
- HIS 382 - Special Topics
- HIS 383 - Special Topics
- HIS 425 - Philosophy of History
- ART 341 - History of Art I
- ART 342 - History of Art II
- ART 441 - ART NOW
- ENG 373 - Early American Literature
- FRE 331 - Culture and Civilization the Past
- FRE 332 - Culture and Civilization the Present
- PHI 320 - African-American Philosophy
-
General Elective Credits
General Electives (37-39 hours) as needed to reach 120 hours overall.
-
Total Credit Hours - Minimum 120 hours
On occasion, technical and/or program requirements may also meet specific General Education requirements. Please confer with your program advisor to determine which courses, if any, may be counted accordingly.
All bachelor's degree programs at Lenoir-Rhyne require at least 120 credit hours. If, in combination, General Education, technical, and program requirements do not generate at least 120 hours, additional credits must be completed to achieve 120 hours. These classes may be general electives, or a student may complete a minor or additional major.
Admission & Financial Aid
-
Undergraduate AdmissionOur admission team is here to assist you in making the college search process as easy as possible. Our counselors are happy to provide the information and guidance you need to submit your application, apply for financial aid and scholarships, visit and tour our campus.
-
Financial AidWe recognize that paying for college is a top concern for students and their families. Our financial aid staff is here to provide you with financial aid options and assistance to help you achieve your educational goals.
News & Events
Lenoir-Rhyne celebrates the success of Giving Tuesday, an annual global giving movement for the causes and organizations we care most about.
View More
Public health major Jocelyn Florez '25 shares her passion for evaluation, prevention and protection as she does her part to build healthier communities.
View More