History

The Department of History offers a program of instruction ranging widely over the historical record of human experience. The chronological, geographical, and topical range affords great flexibility to students working toward degrees in history and to those who wish to give a historical dimension to their studies in other disciplines. History at Berkeley is a highly flexible major that allows students to follow their interests. It is also a major that places strong value on original student research, with all students completing capstone projects on topics they choose in consultation with members of the faculty.

Declaring the Major

Students may declare the major after completing three letter-graded courses in the Department of History with a 2.0 grade-point average (GPA) or better.

Honors Program

To graduate with honors in History, a major must achieve a general GPA of 3.5, a departmental GPA of 3.7, and a minimum grade of "A-" in HISTORY 102 or HISTORY 101A/HISTORY 101B.  All students will be eligible to be nominated for high or highest honors in History regardless of whether they complete the semester-long (HISTORY 102) or yearlong (HISTORY 101A/HISTORY 101B) thesis. The students must receive a nomination for high or highest honors from their thesis instructor. The decision to award high or highest honors rests with the Honors Committee.

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