People have a world of information at their fingertips but have never been more confused, conflicted, and unable to determine what is real or “fake.” Historians are scholars who learn how to do deep, serious research to figure out “what happened.” They are writers of non-fiction, people who demonstrate how we know what we think we know. They are the keepers of the world’s knowledge and traditions.

Whether you are a writer or editor or a teacher or scholar or enter business or the law, everyone today needs to know: Is this true? Can the facts be relied upon? How do we know?

If you choose to study history, you will engage with fascinating topics such as the Cold War, the American Revolution, women in Middle Eastern societies, Nazi Germany, East Asian civilizations, and many more. You will become a proficient researcher and writer and develop your public speaking skills. You will be that rate and valuable person who can sort out fact from fiction and write your own future!

History Course Offerings at Ramapo College:

The History program at Ramapo treats history as a narrative of the past, an exploration of different cultures, an example for the present, and a guidepost for the future. Through coursework, students may explore geographical areas including the United States, Europe, Latin America, East Asia, the Middle East and Islamic world, or Africa. Our courses span historical periods as varied as Ancient Greece, nineteenth century Europe, and the United States since 1945. Students can elect to study the history of specific groups of people—such as Middle Eastern women, Native Americans, or African Americans—or take topics courses on subjects as diverse as Biblical archaeology, Islamic art and architecture, military history, witchcraft, the American West, Jews in twentieth-century Europe, Korean cinema, and gender, race, and American politics.

Hands-On Opportunities When You Study History at Ramapo College:

History majors at Ramapo have several hands-on opportunities to write and present history. Through coursework and independent studies, students are encouraged to research and write about historical topics that interest them. Ramapo’s annual Scholars’ Day provides a forum for students to share their work outside the classroom. The Ramapo Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honor Society, also provides several opportunities every year for students to present at regional and national conferences.  .

Majors can gain additional perspective from study abroad and a variety of opportunities related to the discipline of history. We are particularly excited that the Jane Addams Papers Project is housed at Ramapo College. This initiative provides students with paid opportunities on campus to digitize and sort the collection of this leading social reformer and peace activist from the early twentieth century. Digital history is the future of the field, and work on the Jane Addams Papers Project as well as other exciting and important digital humanities projects being conducted by various faculty and students in the School of Humanities & Global Studies, positions our graduates

Goal 1: Write clearly and properly attribute your sources in accordance with the conventions of the historical discipline.

Outcome 1: Produce an organized, researched written work with a well-developed historical argument.

Outcome 2: Consistent and proper use of the University of Chicago/Turabian documentation style adopted by historians.

Goal 2: Locate and analyze primary sources and scholarly historical secondary sources, including relevant historiography.

Outcome 3: Locate, contextualize, and critically analyze required historical sources in a written work.

Outcome 4: Demonstrate an awareness of historiography relevant to course content.

1. Students are required to take 12 courses (48 credits) to complete this major, up to four of which can be waived with credit from AP examinations. We also welcome transfer courses from other colleges and universities.
2. Transfer students who have 48 or more credits accepted at the time of transfer are waived from the courses marked with a (W) below.  Waivers do not apply to Major Requirements.
3. Double counting between General Education, School Core, and Major may be possible.  Check with your advisor to see if any apply.
4. Writing Intensive Requirement (five courses):  two writing intensive courses in the general education curriculum are required: Critical Reading and Writing II and Studies in the Arts and Humanities.  Within the major, the three courses will be Historiography, History Seminar, and any 300-level Writing Intensive HIST course selected in consultation with an advisor.
5. Not all courses are offered each semester.  Please check the current Schedule of Classes for semester course offerings.
6. The Career Pathways Program requirements must be completed prior to graduation. Visit the Cahill Career Center.

HISTORY MAJOR

Note: A 2.0 GPA in the major is required for graduation.

1. Students are required to take 5 courses (20 credits) to complete this minor.
2. At least half of the courses fulfilling a minor must be distinct from the student’s major. That is, three of the five courses required for a minor cannot be used towards fulfillment of major requirements. A School Core does not need to be completed for a minor. Minors are open to students regardless of school affiliation.

If you wish to have a non-(HIST) course that covers significant historical content be considered
to count toward the History Minor, please contact the Convener of the History Program.

HISTORY MINOR

For the Social Studies teacher certification, a candidate needs 30 credits (i.e.,12 at the 300 or 400 level) in one of the social studies disciplines. All candidates must successfully complete the following courses:

• HIST 101 - EARLY AMERICA TO 1865
• HIST 102 - MODERN AMERICA SINCE 1865
• HIST 105 - WESTERN STUDIES I OR
• HIST 109 - EARLY WORLD CIVILIZATIONS
• HIST 106 - WESTERN STUDIES II OR
• HIST 110 - MODERN WORLD CIVILIZATIONS

Two courses that deliver content/topics outside of Europe or the U.S. (Note: these courses do not need to be HIST courses. They may include any courses that cover content/topics within the Social Studies disciplines.) also
One Economics (ECON) course; One Geography (GEOG) course; One Political Science (POLI) course; One Sociology (SOCI)course.

Candidates must also complete all courses required to teach at the secondary education level. Please see the Teacher Education program website or consult with the Assistant Dean of Teacher Education for more information.

General Education Requirements
Four Year Plan
Graduation Requirements
Digital Humanities
History Convening Group Website (see disclaimer below)
School of Humanities and Global Studies Website
Faculty Profiles