International
In History courses, students explore the past in the present, find the present in the past, and savor the uniqueness of historical times and places. From the battlefields of Alexander to the family lives of slaves in the American south, from the beliefs of medieval Crusaders to the dismantling of apartheid in contemporary South Africa, history at UNC serves as a site for continuing reflection on the meaning and variety of the human experience—a site always bristling with activity and inviting new exploration.
History courses offer majors the opportunity both to explore a wide range of historical fields and to develop expertise in a particular area of study. Courses are generally divided into three categories:
- broad surveys,
- specialized lecture courses, and
- seminars.
Writing is emphasized in virtually all history courses, even at the survey level, and research is integrated into many of them. Because writing, analysis, oral presentation, argumentation, and critical thinking form the essence of historical study and debate, the history major prepares students for careers in a variety of fields: law, journalism, teaching, business, public service, library sciences, international work, historical research, and many more.
Students can major or minor in History. Majors can chose from the following major concentrations:
- Ancient/Medieval History
- African, Asian, and Middle Eastern History
- Gender and Women’s History
- Global History
- Latin American History
- Modern European History
- Russian, Eurasian, and East European History
- United States History
Academic Advising for History
Dr. Matthew Andrews (andrewsm@email.unc.edu) is the History Department’s current full-time undergraduate adviser and transfer credit officer. While students are encouraged to seek advice from individual history professors, Dr. Andrews serves as a general advising resource for all history majors and minors as well as first- and second-year students who are considering a degree in history. For more information, see the Academic Advising page.
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Students may also consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Brett Whalen (bwhalen@email.unc.edu).The DUS oversees the undergraduate program and rules on all matters related to the History Department’s undergraduate policies.
Undergraduate Coordinator
The Undergraduate Coordinator, Jeanette Jennings (jenningj@email.unc.edu), can help students with questions about course registration, scheduling, and enrolling in History 398 seminars. Her office is located in the main History Department office on the fifth floor of Hamilton Hall.
