History, BA
Much more than names and dates, history is the study of the human past, with all its drama, tragedies, and triumphs. By pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in history, you get the chance to explore deep and important questions, traveling through space and time to better understand the present and gain new insights for the future.
Program Overview
The BA in history prepares students to understand the impact of the past and how it influences the present and future of human culture and society. Earning a BA in history is an intellectual adventure, and it is also excellent preparation for a wide range of future careers.
As a history major, you choose from a slate of classes that span thousands of years and cover every corner of the globe. Whether you want to delve deeper into the American Revolution or explore the culture of Ancient China, our award-winning faculty are ready to serve as your guides. In our small, interactive classes, you will also find a welcoming community of peers. Our major attracts curious, independent thinkers who love connecting the dots between the past and the present, and who appreciate the horizons that open up when you look at old questions in new ways.
If you are searching for a major that will give you the broad-based, flexible skills required to succeed in our quickly changing economy, history is a great choice. Historians are experts on change, and once you have honed your analytical skills in our rigorous classes, you have a competitive edge for life. Our track record speaks for itself – history majors go on to successful careers in law, education, business and public service, building on their knowledge of the past to shape the future.
Concentrations
No matter what interests you bring to the table, our concentrations allow you to explore new territory and gain valuable skills. Our science, medicine, and technology concentration is especially well-suited for students with an interest in pre-health or science-related careers.
Our current selection of concentrations include:
- History, BA (general)
- History of Science, Medicine, and Technology concentration
Honors
If you want to pursue original research as an undergraduate, our Honors pathway offers you that chance. All Honors majors complete a research project on a topic of their choosing, supported by faculty mentors and a close-knit community of Honors peers. We also offer generous funding to allow you to travel to archives, libraries and historical sites in your pursuit of new insights. Honors students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.25.
The Honors option is currently only available for students pursuing the general History BA.
Minors
History’s broad approach offers a valuable complement to more narrow or technical fields of study, and our flexible minor allows you to tailor your coursework to your own goals. Whatever your future plans, a history minor will enhance the perspective you bring to your life and to your career.
Our current selection of minors include:
- History minor
- History of Science, Medicine, and Technology minor
Why Study History?
The Bachelor of Arts in History at UT allows student to explore their passions while laying the foundation for a rewarding life after graduation. History majors benefit from strong faculty mentorship, a vibrant community of fellow majors, and meaningful internships that set them up for life-long success.
Mentorship That Matters
The Department of History boasts a 1:7 faculty-to-major ratio and small class sizes. When you choose our department, you are not just embarking on a course of study; you are joining a community of faculty mentors and fellow students committed to your growth.
Learn Outside the Classroom
At UT, you have access to internship opportunities that offer practical, hands-on experience to help you hone your professional skills. With opportunities at institutions like the Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War, Blount Mansion, and the East Tennessee Historical Society, you will graduate ready to tackle whatever real-world challenges you encounter.
More Than Just a History Degree
At UT, you aren’t just earning a history degree; you’re learning how to cut through the noise to gain meaningful insights into the world around you. We are dedicated to ensuring you have the robust, flexible skills you need to succeed in jobs across the economy, from education and business to public policy and law.
What Can You Do with a BA in History After Graduation?
A degree in history from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, opens up avenues for students to have careers in disciplines that interest them, giving them the opportunity to make an impact in the field of their study. Students in this program will gain a deep understanding of the past in order to be builders of a strong future, and the faculty, individualized mentoring, and internships this program offers helps them to do so.
With a history major, many of our alumni go on to work in museums, archives, and cultural institutions, as archivists, curators, or site managers. In similar institutions, many go into information sciences, like acquisition, arrangement, preservation, administration, and exhibition. In local and state government, you could work in regional planning, public policy, community affairs, or social services. You could even work for nonprofits as a program assistant or development director, or with local libraries, as public historian or librarian.
History majors leave college with skills that serve them well in a wide range of careers. Our recent graduates are businesspeople, teachers, ministers, consultants and librarians; they found startups, get PhDs, and continue on to law and medical school.
Featured Courses
HIST 150 History through Video Games
This course explores how American history is represented (and misrepresented) on the digital screen. Games explored and chronological/geographical focus will vary.
HIUS 353 The Civil War and Reconstruction Eras
Examines major political, economic, and social developments in the United States during the Civil War and Reconstruction eras.
HIAS 490 The History and Cultural Legacy of the Samurai
Samurai are one of the most enduring symbols of Japan, but who and what exactly were samurai, and how have ideas regarding samurai changed throughout Japanese history? This course will explore the historical origins and enduring cultural legacy of samurai in Japanese history and popular culture.
HIEU 435 Science, Religion and Magic in Early Modern Europe
This course delves into the strange and vibrant world of European culture between 1500 and 1800, a period in which enthusiasm for alchemy, astrology and magic intermingled with early forms of science, and fears of witchcraft spread alongside new explanations of the natural world.
Complementary Majors, Minors, and Certificates
A history major or minor fits well with almost every other course of study offered at the University of Tennessee. Our double majors pair history with science or pre-health majors to better prepare themselves for careers in medicine and other related fields, or they use history to gain the broader perspective they need as future business or public policy leaders. The possible combinations are endless
- Global Studies Minor
- Africana Studies Minor
Looking For More Options?
The College of Arts and Sciences offers students the broadest range of academic programs and opportunities for research and creative activities at the University of Tennessee, powered by faculty expertise across every discipline.
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