Print this page.About the Program
The Department of History offers a challenging undergraduate program with extensive course offerings and faculty members who are recognized as authorities in historical scholarship. More than 50 courses in ancient and modern European history and 40 courses in American history are included in the curriculum. Courses are also available in African, East Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American history, as well as courses on religion, science, sport, warfare, crime, and business history. Through in-depth analysis of the evolution of social, economic, cultural-intellectual, and political patterns and events, you’ll develop an understanding of and appreciation for the life and development of various cultures, institutions, and civilizations.
Career Opportunities
An undergraduate degree in history provides an excellent foundation for a variety of careers. Many positions require some graduate study. Here are a few of the possibilities:
• teaching and research
• museums, historical associations, and historical societies
• genealogy, historical preservation/restoration
• law and business
• state, federal, local, and private industries and agencies at all levels
The University Career Center is available to assist you in choosing a career direction and in increasing your marketability upon graduation. For additional information, call the center at 803-777-7280.
Admission/Progression Requirements
To be admitted into the College of Arts and Sciences, you must meet all University admissions requirements, including (for freshmen) a completed application, non-refundable application fee, high-school record complete up to the time of application (including record of at least 20 academic units of study earned as required by the University), and entrance examination scores (either SAT or ACT). Details for all applicant categories can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin. To remain in your degree program, you must make satisfactory academic progress toward your degree. In order to be eligible for graduation, you must meet all course requirements for your degree program, be in good standing, meet any departmental or program requirements, and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00.
Program of Study (120 hours)
The Department of History’s interdisciplinary curriculum leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. Fifty-three to 62 hours of your degree requirements will consist of general education requirements, which are designed to provide you with a broad experience in the liberal arts and sciences and opportunities to develop intellectual skills in analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, as well as competence in written and oral communication. Twenty-seven hours of your course work will include courses that comprise your departmental major, all of which must be at the 300 level or higher. This will include courses such as The Historian’s Craft, U.S. History, European History, African, Middle Eastern, Asian, or Latin American history, and the Senior Seminar or Thesis and 12 additional hours of history at the 300 level or above. Your studies will be rounded out by an arts and sciences cognate and electives.
Of Special Interest
The University’s South Caroliniana Library houses a celebrated Southern archive and is the largest single repository of resource materials for S.C. history. We offer an exceptional student exchange program in cooperation with Warwick University, Covington, England. Our Public History Program, offered in cooperation with Kiplin Hall, North Yorkshire, England, is one of the oldest and largest graduate academic training programs in the United States, and our doctoral program has been cited in a national study of graduate program quality in the United States (Conference Board of Associated Research Councils). Our faculty members are considered leading authorities in Southern, American, and modern European history. Their research is supported by a number of national agencies, including the American Philosophical Society, the American Council of Learned Societies, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. They will advise you on an appropriate program of study, relevant extracurricular activities, and career planning.