Department Overview
The History and Art History Department at Adrian College gives students tools not only for analyzing the past, but also for understanding the developments and challenges of the present and future.
By exploring diverse regions of the world, developing their abilities to think critically, and challenging themselves to develop logical arguments supported by material evidence, students gain an understanding of world history that prepares them for post graduate education and gives them the research and critical thinking skills for work in any field.
The History and Art History curriculum supports all of the ribbons of excellence in a variety of ways. It most comprehensively fosters critical thinking, but it also routinely crosses boundaries and disciplines by making connections between historical events and arts and culture, for example. Various courses emphasize the development of creativity, particularly the capstone course, which requires students to develop their own original research question and think creatively about finding the necessary sources. The History and Art History curriculum also emphasizes caring for humanity and the world in its focus on diverse cultures and peoples, fostering an appreciation of – and hopefully care for – the larger world. Finally, the History and Art History faculty exemplifies the learning throughout a lifetime ribbon for their students through their own continued pursuit of scholarship and inquiry.
History and Art History classes are interactive, through frequent discussions, and employ group projects, various media, and field trips. In addition, the History and Art History professors at Adrian College help students become better communicators by teaching students how to write and speak more effectively. The faculty prepares students for diverse careers requiring skills in research, communication and analysis in professional fields such as teaching, law, business, journalism, museum studies and information management.
Major Program Requirements
Experiential Course
All students majoring in History must complete a department approved experiential component. This is fulfilled through either an internship, external academic experience or through a College-approved Study Abroad experience.
Bachelor of Arts in History
(35-36 hours of History and 4 hours of Art History cognates)
History Core (8 hours)
| HIST 295 | Historical Theories &s; Methods (4) |
| HIST 407 | Seminar (4) |
History Electives (27-28 hours)
8 hours from Non-Western:
| HIST 101 | East Asian Civilization I—China (4) |
| HIST 102 | East Asian Civilization II—Japan (4) |
| HIST 111 | Islamic Civilization (4) |
| HIST 221 | History of Women in East Asia (4) |
| HIST 239 | Cultural History of Japan (4) |
| HIST 302 | Studies in Eastern Religion (3) |
| HIST 314 | History of the Modern Middle East (4) |
| HIST 332 | World Civilization in Comparison (4) |
| HIST 350 | History of Chinese Philosophy (4) |
| HIST 355 | History &s; Memory of Hiroshima (4) |
8 hours from European:
| HIST 103 | Western Civilization I (4) |
| HIST 104 | Western Civilization II (4) |
| HIST 213 | Topics in Modern European Women’s History (4) |
| HIST 215 | Medieval Europe (4) |
| HIST 277 | Imperial Russia (4) |
| HIST 305 | History of the Soviet Union (4) |
| HIST 320 | Germany in the Twentieth Century (4) |
8 hours from American:
| HIST 105 | U.S. History to 1876 (4) |
| HIST 106 | U.S. History since 1865 (4) |
| HIST 231 | Survey of Native American History (4) |
| HIST 260 | Survey of African American History (4) |
| HIST 265 | U.S. Women’s History (4) |
| HIST 371 | U.S. Popular Culture (4) |
| HIST 373 | U.S. History since 1945 (4) |
| HIST 376 | U.S. Social History of the 1920s and ‘30s (4) |
4 additional hours at the 300- or 400-level.
Art History Cognate (4 hours)
Any course in Art History (4)
| AHIS |
Majors and minors are encouraged to take additional courses in the arts and humanities, the natural sciences and mathematics, and the behavioral and social sciences that complement and enrich their educational and career goals. The departmental faculty members will assist students in choosing such courses through academic advising.
Bachelor of Arts with Teacher Certification in History
See the Teacher Education section of the catalog.
Minor and Associate Program Requirements
The Associate of Arts degree and the minor in History each require HIST 295 and 8 hours each of electives in American, Non-Western and European History.
Majors and minors are encouraged to take additional courses in the arts and humanities, the natural sciences and mathematics, and the behavioral and social sciences that complement and enrich their educational and career goals. The departmental faculty members will assist students in choosing such courses through academic advising.
Students planning graduate work in history should acquire a reading knowledge of one or more foreign languages and/or a basic knowledge of statistics relevant to their specific program of study.
Any student can minor in Art History. An Art History minor can be particularly useful when combined with majors in International Business, Modern Languages and Cultures, English, Interior Design, International Studies, Studio Art, Art Education, Art Therapy, Theatre, Music and Arts Management.
Requirements for the Art History Minor
27 hours, which must include 20 hours from AHIS, including AHIS 209/210, 232, 270, 271, 301, 336, 337 or 338. At least 8 of the 27 hours must be at a 300-level or above. Also required are HIST 295 and 3 hours from ART 100, 101, 103, 106, 208, 209, 210, 215 or 218.