Director of Undergraduate Studies:
Prof. Susan Pedersen, 515 Fayerweather; 854-2414; sp2216@columbia.edu

Undergraduate Education Committee:
Janaki Bakhle, 602 Fayerweather; 854-2149; jb588@columbia.edu
Richard Billows, 322M Fayerweather; 854-4486; rab4@columbia.edu
Evan Haefeli, 323 Fayerweather; 854-2434; eh2204@columbia.edu
Kenneth Jackson, 603 Fayerweather; 854-2555; ktj1@columbia.edu
Marco Maiuro, 502 Fayerweather; mm3397@columbia.edu
Samuel Moyn (spring), 616 Fayerweather; 854-3009; sam2008@columbia.edu
Christine Philliou, 610 Fayerweather; cmp9@columbia.edu
Pablo Piccato, 321 Fayerweather; 854-8709; pp143@columbia.edu

Undergraduate Administrator: Eleanor Kaye, 854-2573; emk2114@columbia.edu

Departmental Office: 611 Fayerweather; (212) 854-4646

• http://www.columbia.edu/cu/history/

The history curriculum covers most areas of the world and most periods of written history. It encourages students to develop historical understanding in the widest sense of the word: a thorough empirical grasp along with the kind of analytical skills that come with a genuinely historical sensibility. This is done through two types of courses: lectures and seminars. Lectures range from broad surveys of the history of a place or period to more thematically oriented courses. Seminars offer students the opportunity to work more closely with historical sources in smaller groups and to do more sophisticated written work. Because history courses usually have no prerequisites, there are no preordained sequences to follow. It is advisable, however, to take a relevant lecture course as preparation before taking a seminar. Majors wishing to follow a more intensive program are advised to enroll in the various courses in historiography and to undertake a senior thesis project. Historically, majors have gone on to careers in a very wide range of areas including medicine, law, mass media, Wall Street, and academia.

Advanced Placement

The department grants 3 credits for a score of 5 on the AP European History exam but the student is not entitled to any exemptions. The department grants 3 credits for a score of 5 on the AP United States History exam but the student is not entitled to any exemptions.

Advising

During their junior and senior years, majors and concentrators are advised by the faculty members of the Undergraduate Education Committee (UNDED). UNDED advisers also review and sign Plan of Study (POS) forms for majors/concentrators at least once per year. POS forms track students’ progress toward completing all major/concentrator requirements. New history majors/concentrators may see any member of UNDED that they wish. Switching UNDED advisers is permissible. For the most up-to-date information on UNDED members, please see the undergraduate advising page of the department Web site at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/history.

Majors and concentrators can also receive pure academic interest advising (non-requirement advising) from any faculty member and affiliated faculty member of the department.

First-years and sophomores considering a history major or concentration can seek advising from UNDED or any other faculty member.

For questions about requirements, courses, or the general program, majors and concentrators can also contact the undergraduate administrator.

Departmental Honors

To be eligible, the student must have a grade point average of at least 3.6 in courses for the major, an ambitious curriculum, and an outstanding senior thesis. Honors will be awarded on the basis of a truly outstanding senior thesis. Normally no more than 10 percent of the graduating majors in the department each year will receive departmental honors.

Course Numbering

Courses are numbered by type and field:

1000 level: Introductory survey lecture
3000 level: Lecture
4000 level: Undergraduate seminar

x000-x059: Ancient
x060-x099: Medieval
x100-x199: Early modern Europe
x200-x299: East Central Europe
x300-x399: Modern Western Europe
x400-x599: United States
x600-x659: Jewish
x660-x699: Latin America
x700-x759: Middle East
x760-x799: Africa
x800-x859: South Asia
x860-x899: East Asia
x900-x999: Research, historiography, and trans-national