Requirements for a Minor in History
1. Three specific courses, namely, HST 201, 202, 203.
2. An upper-level course in US history, chosen from the following: HST 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 325, 326, 327, 378, 379, 391.
3. Two courses in world history, chosen from the following: HST 150, 336, 337, 338, 342, 344, 352, 361, 368, 370, 373, 390, 393, 410, 412, 413.
4. One seminar course, chosen from the following: HST 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 492H.
5. At least one of the selective courses must focus on an area of the world other than the United States or Western Europe. Courses that fulfill this requirement are HST 150, 342, 344, 361, 368, 370, 381, 390, 393, 484, 485, 486. HST 487 may fulfill the requirement, depending upon its subject.
6. The student's choice of selective courses in categories 2, 3 and 4 above should be approved in advance by the Undergraduate Adviser in History, Professor Emily Tabuteau.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does my AP history affect my minor?
3. What courses will be offered in the summer?
4. Do I have to take two years of a language?
5. Is there an association of undergraduates that I can join?
6. Is there an honor society in history?
1. How does my AP history affect my minor?
If you took the AP exam in American history and got a grade of 3, 4 or 5, you received 8 credits for HST 202 and HST 203. These courses count towards the credits you need to complete your minor in History. If you took the AP exam in American History and got a grade of 2, you received a waiver, which means that your record will show that you have taken HST 202 and 203. You did not, however, get credit for these courses, so you will have to complete the full 20-credit minimum which the State requires for a minor. Whether you received credit or a waiver for HST 202 and 203, you will not be able to repeat these courses at MSU because your record will show that you have already taken them. AP credit in European History is not relevant to the minor.
If any of your AP credits in American history were used to fulfill your University requirement for courses in Integrative Studies in Arts and Humanities (IAH), you cannot also use those credits towards your history minor. You will need to substitute enough other credits in History to complete the full 20-credit minimum which the State requires for a minor.
Once you are admitted to the College of Education, you will need to declare your minor to them. You do not formally declare your minor to the History Department, but you are required to consult the History adviser (Professor Tabuteau) before choosing your courses from the menus for upper-level United States history, world history and the senior seminar.
3. What courses will be offered in the summer?
The courses offered in summer school vary from year to year. It is therefore unwise to count on the availability of any particular course in the summer. You should plan your program so that your ability to graduate does not depend on the existence of a particular course in the summer. It is almost certain that no course in African, Asian or Latin American history will be offered in the summer, nor can you be certain that HST 201 or any senior seminar will be offered then.
4. Do I have to take two years of a language?
No. This is a requirement for the History major but not for the History minor.
5. Is there an association of undergraduates that I can join?
The History Association of Michigan State is made up of all students interested in history who care to attend its meetings. You do not have to be a History major, and there is no membership fee.
6. Is there an honor society in history?The History honor society in Phi Alpha Theta. There is a chapter in this department. You do not need to be a History major to be a member of Phi Alpha Theta, but you must have a certain number of credits in History at Michigan State and you must have a certain GPA in those courses. For further information, consult the Phi Alpha Theta faculty adviser, Prof. Jane Vieth.