The University of Toledo

“The Persistence of Memory” (1931)
Salvador Dali

History reveals changes and continuity in the human condition across space and time.

 Advisor for Undergraduate History Majors and Minors 

          Dr. Roberto Padilla
          Office:  Tucker Hall 1115
          Phone:  419-530-4538
          Email:  roberto.padillaii@gmail.com

 Requirements for the Undergraduate Major in History

     The major of 33 hours in history must be distributed as follows:

A. HIST 2000 (4 hours)

B. Of the remaining 29 hours, 12 to 16 hours (four courses) must be at the 4000 level. At least nine to 12 of these 29 hours (three courses) shall be in fields of United States history,  and at least nine to 12 hours (three courses) shall be in fields of non-United States history.

The requirement of 18 hours in related courses is to be met with courses chosen from at least three of the following areas:  economics, political science, English and American literature, foreign language, geography, philosophy, sociology, psychology, art history, music history or theatre history.  At least 12 of the hours in related courses must be in courses at the 3000 and 4000 levels.

The related courses requirement may be met with completion of a minor in another discipline or a second major.

Students may not take P/NC for the minimum requirements for the major, but may opt for P/NC in all related courses.

 Requirements for the Undergraduate Minor in History

     The minor of 21 hours in history must be distributed as follows:

A. HIST 2000 (4 hours)

B. Of the remaining 17 hours, nine hours must be at the 4000 level.

Requirements for Departmental Honors in History

     Qualified students are invited to work for the degree citation “honors in history.”

A. Admission: History majors who demonstrate unusual promise in the study of history are invited by the department to enroll in the Honors Program. Departmental honors may be taken concurrently with college honors. Admission to departmental honors is based on the following:

1. Sophomore standing

2. Overall minimum GPA of 3.0

3. A minimum GPA of 3.3 in all history courses (minimum of 10 hours)

4. Recommendations from two professors

5. An interview with the adviser

B. Requirements:  To gain departmental honors in history, each student will satisfactorily complete the following:

1. Honors recognition in two history courses. Honors recognition courses are regularly scheduled 3000 to 4000 level courses in which special recognition is achieved by reading and research in addition to the normal requirements of the course.

2. Three hours of independent research under Junior Honors Research (HIST 3870).

3. Six hours of thesis under Senior Honors Research (HIST 4870, 4880) leading to the completion of a senior thesis.

4. Oral examination covering the area of the senior thesis.

 Why study history?

History looks at the variety of human experiences among groups and individuals in diverse cultures, geographies, and throughout time.  Historians frame questions, seek out evidence, evaluate conflicting accounts, synthesize large amounts of information, and provide explanations for what happened in the past.  History increases our understanding of the present and provides a guide for the future.

UTstudents have access to a variety of resources to help them investigate the past including the Carlson Library, Canaday Center Archives, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library and area historical organizations.  Tucker Hall, home of the history department, is one of the oldest buildings on the Bancroft campus.

Students develop skills including research, writing, analytical and critical thinking, relational and interpretive abilities, that are useful in all professional fields. 

 What to expect when you graduate

History graduates work as teachers, analysts, information specialists, in public service, libraries, museums, government agencies and private business.