Undergraduate Program | Department of History

Brett Whalen
Director of Undergraduate Studies

With over 700 majors and minors, the undergraduate program in History forms the heart and soul of our department. Our faculty consistently win some of the university’s top teaching awards for their creativity in the classroom, ranging from large lectures to small intensive seminars. A cornerstone of the liberal arts education, the study of History explores the diversity of human experiences in the past. By doing so, it promotes an understanding of the historical circumstances that shape the opportunities and challenges of the present. Students in History develop invaluable skills: how to analyze different kinds of evidence, evaluate conflicting arguments, and communicate what they have learned to their peers and the wider public. Last but not least, studying History prepares students for diverse careers after graduation and a life of informed citizenship, locally and globally.

What do I need for a major/minor?

Among other requirements, majors must take ten classes (30 credits) in History classes. Between 4-6 of those classes must be taken in the student’s chosen area of concentration:

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

For more information you can go to the Major & Minor page

What sort of research do History students do?

Undergraduate students in History do not just learn about the past from our faculty: they carry out their own research, producing original historical knowledge. Every major writes a 398 seminar essay, a substantial piece of historical scholarship. For students who want to pursue further research, there are plenty of exciting opportunities in History, including the Senior Honors Thesis program.

For more information you can go to the Undergraduate Research page

Need some advising about the major, study abroad, transfer credits or internships?

Have a question about the requirements for the major or minor? About transferring credits from another institution? About independent studies or internships? Or something else related to your academic life or plans after graduation? Our Undergraduate Adviser Dr. Matthew Andrews has you covered.

For more information, email andrewsm@email.unc.edu or you can go to the advising page.

Interested in History Department events, clubs, and other activites?

The History department isn’t just a place to study the past: it’s a community in the present, formed by our undergraduate and graduate students, the faculty, and the staff. In addition to taking classes and carrying out research, students have other chances to get involved with departmental life.

For more information you can go to the Undergraduate Life in History.

What are UNC History majors doing?

Our majors and prize-winning students do not just learn about the past: they produce and publish historical knowledge of their own, based on their research in our 398 seminars, Senior Honors Thesis program, and other classes. After graduation, their knowledge and skills can open doors to many different career paths.

Publishing their Research

Winning Fellowships, Grants, and Prizes

Studying Abroad

Doing Internships

Beginning Careers after Carolina

Curious about the History Honors Thesis Program?

Each year, a select group of undergraduate students enrolls in the History Senior Honors Thesis program that culminates in the writing of a substantial, original, and polished piece of historical research. If you plan to go to graduate school in history, to attend law school, to work in public history or if you simply cannot get enough of historical research and writing, this might be the program for you.

For more information you can go to the Senior Honors Thesis Program page

Undergraduate Program News

Former UNC History Major Wins the NC State Alixa Naff Prize (2020) for Best Article

Congratulations to Sam Dolbee, who wrote his undergraduate thesis with Professor Sarah Sheilds in 2008. Dolbee completed his PhD in 2017 at New York University’s joint program in History and Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies. He just won the best … Continued
Dr. Tsin to Lead UNC Phillips Summer in Shanghai

The Phillips Ambassadors Program has teamed with Study Abroad and History to create a hybrid faculty-led study abroad program: UNC Phillips Summer in Shanghai. Participants will take “China in the World” (counts as HIST 282 or ASIA 282) from UNC’s … Continued
Max Conley Awarded Frank Ryan Chancellor’s Prize

Max Conley, Class of 2019 History major, was recently awarded the Frank Ryan Chancellor’s Prize in History for best Senior Honors Thesis. Read more about the Frank Ryan Prize here. Congratulations, Max!

Click here to visit the Undergraduate News archive.