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Department of History

    Undergraduate

    Studying history gives you a window to the world. It makes you a critical thinker, gives you a well-informed lens for current events, and helps you understand other cultures on a deep level. When you study at the University of South Carolina you'll be exposed to amazing faculty, hands-on research, and study abroad options. 

    Courses of Study

    We offer both a B.A. and a minor course of study. You can find our course schedule and program descriptions in the academic bulletin. 

    B.A with Distinction 

    The Bachelor of Arts with Distinction for history majors requires a rigorous course of study above and beyond that required of a traditional history student.  

    • Maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA.
    • Maintain 3.6 major GPA.
    • Complete an additional 9 hours of history courses at the 200-level or higher (maximum of two 200-level courses may count toward the History major).
    • Notify the professor of your senior seminar or senior thesis in writing of your intention to pursue a degree “with distinction” and complete to the professor’s satisfaction the additional research necessary for work “with distinction”.
    • Publicly present your research project at Discovery Day.

     

    1. Print and sign a B.A. with Distinction contract [pdf link]. 
    2. Print and sign a senior seminar thesis contract [pdf link].
    All B.A. with Distinction contracts must be submitted to the History Undergraduate Coordinator in Gambrell Hall Rm# 245 or emailed to mcnamart@mailbox.sc.edu.
     
    The senior seminar or senior thesis B.A. with Distinction contract should be signed by the student and thesis advisor/seminar instructor upon enrollment in Senior Seminar or Senior Thesis, and submitted to the History Undergraduate Coordinator.

     

    Charles W. Coolidge Award 2021-2022 Application

     

    The application for the 2021-2022 Charles W. Coolidge Award is now available! Applicants must submit their completed application and supporting materials via email to mcnamart@email.sc.edu by Monday, February 22nd, 2021 at 4pm. [PDF link]

    Charles W. Coolidge Award Eligibility:

    • Must be a History major

    • Must be a rising Junior or rising Senior (Have earned min. 60 hours after Spring 2021)

    • Must have a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher.

    Given to USC history majors in memory of the late Professor Charles W. Coolidge, who taught at USC from 1957 until his death in 1996 and was widely known to three generations of Carolina students, the awards are offered to juniors and seniors majoring in history and are awarded on a competitive basis.


    Personal Advising 

    We have two dedicated student-services staff members in our department, Tyler Mcnamara and Jay Pou. They're happy to advise you on course and career advising, study abroad, internship opportunities, and anything else you need to make your time in the history department more rewarding. 

    We also work hard to make sure all our students are able to take the classes that are interesting to them. If a class is full, please email mcnamart@mailbox.sc.edu or pouj@sc.edu regarding course override inquiries.

    Undergraduate Bulletin

    Looking for more specific information, like what classes you'll need to take to graduate, learning outcomes, and which classes we offer? The academic bulletin is the university's official document of record concerning undergraduate-level academic programs and regulations. 

     

     

     

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