Take on the challenge of mastering information about our human past.
Why do people enjoy studying history? There are many reasons: for the shock of finding familiar behavior across wide reaches of time and culture, for the puzzle of trying to understand practices alien to their own, for the challenge of mastering information about human life in the past, or for the insight to handle contemporary social concerns.
BS History and Social Studies Education majors take a shared core of four History classes to build broad historical content knowledge and the key historical skills of research, analysis, and communication.听
Students in the BS History Option take five full History courses beyond the core, distributed across United States, European, and world history. Advanced historical study examines multiple dimensions of human society, both in the past and as they shape our world today. History Option students hone their abilities in intricate analysis, in-depth research, clear persuasive and narrative writing, speaking and discussion, and collaboration. Students activate these high-level skills in two Professional Applications courses, chosen from a range of disciplines, that count toward the major. Depending on requirements, up to half of a non-History minor or certificate may be completed within the major. The option鈥檚 career development sequence concludes with a 2-credit class that helps students synthesize and describe their college growth while sharpening career readiness tools.
Students who wish to pursue a teaching license choose the听BS Social Studies Education (5-12) Option. Social studies courses听prepare young learners for college, career, and civic life. Future social studies educators must be prepared to think deeply, critically, and adaptively about historic and current events to support their students鈥 understanding of a complex and ever-changing world. This option can be broken down into three themes: history, social sciences, and pedagogy.听Students take the core history courses in the major and at least one other upper-level history course.听Students take lower and upper-level courses in Political Science, Economics, Geography, and the behavioral sciences such as Psychology, Anthropology, or Sociology.听Woven through each year in the program, students take courses in teaching methods, child development, special education, and the professionalism expected of teachers. Students work directly in schools every year and, during their last semester, they participate in a full-time teaching internship. For more information about accreditation, interstate reciprocity, and licensure requirements, see the听听section of this catalog or consult the program coordinator.
Curriculum & Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| 贬滨听1005 | Introduction to History and Social Studies Education | 1 |
| 贬滨听2011 | Modern World History, 1500 to Present (GACO) | 4 |
| 贬滨听2223 | Methods, Theories, and Careers in History (QRCO,WRCO) | 4 |
| 贬滨听3571 | Interrogating US History (DICO,TECO) | 4 |
| Complete ONE course from the following: | 4 | |
贬滨听2006 | Ancient and Medieval Civilizations (GACO) | |
贬滨听2016 | History of Modern Europe, 1300-2000 | |
| General Education | ||
| 贰狈听1400 | Composition | 4 |
| 滨厂听1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| MA | Mathematics Foundations | 3-4 |
| CTDI | Creative Thought Direction | 3-4 |
| SIDI | Scientific Inquiry Direction | 3-4 |
| SSDI | Self and Society Direction | 3-4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, SIDI, SSDI) 1 | 4-8 | |
| 滨厂听4220 | Signature Project (INCO,INCP) | 4 |
| Required Options in this Major | 76-78 | |
History | ||
Social Studies Education (5-12) | ||
| Total Credits | 121-131 | |
- 1
Directions should total a minimum of 16 credits because PPDI is waived for BS History and Social Studies Education.听
History Option
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| History Option | ||
| 贬滨听4200 | Career Launch: Tell Your Story | 2 |
| United States History Elective (Choose one) | 4 | |
贬滨听3117 | Revolutionary America, 1763-1815 | |
贬滨听3145 | Antebellum America, 1815-1860 (DICO,INCO) | |
贬滨听3155 | American Civil War and Reconstruction | |
贬滨听3342 | New Hampshire and New England History | |
贬滨听3351 | Women, Gender, and Sexuality in American History (DICO) | |
贬滨听3355 | Health and Illness in American History (WECO) | |
贬滨听3357 | American Ideas (INCO) | |
贬滨听3359 | Law and Society in US History (DICO) | |
贬滨听3526 | The Great Depression in Film, Print, and On Stage: An Interdisciplinary History (DICO,INCO) | |
贬滨听3535 | Home Front, USA: The WWII Era in the United States (DICO) | |
贬滨听3815 | Topics in United States History | |
| European History Elective (Choose one) | 4 | |
贬滨听3230 | Topics in European History (GACO) | |
贬滨听3405 | Love, Sex, and Family in Medieval Europe | |
贬滨听3485 | The French Revolution and Napoleonic Era, 1789-1815 (GACO) | |
贬滨听3590 | Religious Conflict in Early Modern Europe (GACO) | |
| World History Elective (Choose one) | 4 | |
贬滨听3210 | History of China (GACO) | |
贬滨听3220 | Sex, Slavery, and Empire in Global History (GACO) | |
贬滨听3465 | The British Empire in World History (GACO) | |
贬滨听3775 | Islamic Empires (GACO) | |
贬滨听3825 | Topics in World History (GACO) | |
| Additional History Electives | ||
| 3000/4000 level History course | 4 | |
| Any HI course (not HIDI) | 4 | |
| WECO (may be HI) | 0-4 | |
| Professional Applications (Choose 6 to 8 credits; minimum 3 credits upper-level) | 6-8 | |
叠鲍厂听1100 | Introduction to Marketing and Sales | |
叠鲍厂听1200 | Business Law and Ethics (DICO) | |
叠鲍厂听2300 | Business Writing and Presenting (WRCO) | |
罢惭笔听2010 | Introduction to Travel and Tourism (GACO) | |
叠鲍厂听1200 | Business Law and Ethics (DICO) | |
厂础尝听3280 | Professional Selling Skills I | |
厂础尝听3290 | Professional Selling Skills II | |
惭碍罢听3210 | Event Planning and Marketing | |
惭骋惭听3450 | Organizational Behavior & Team Development (DICO) | |
惭碍罢听3130 | Digital Marketing | |
惭碍罢听3230 | Public Relations | |
叠鲍听4040 | Business Law II | |
颁惭听2405 | Public Speaking | |
颁惭听2775 | Media and Cultural Studies (TECO) | |
颁惭听2995 | Professional Social Media | |
颁惭听3400 | Interactive Web Communication | |
颁惭听3675 | Journalism in the Digital Age (TECO,WRCO) | |
贰狈听3040 | Practicum in Production | |
贰狈听3125 | Advanced Composition | |
贰狈听3135 | Non-Fiction Workshop | |
贰笔尝听3100 | Environmental Planning | |
贰笔尝听3150 | Introduction to Permaculture | |
Any French course for which the student is qualified | ||
骋贰听2050 | GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO) | |
骋贰听3050 | GIS II: Advanced Geographic Information Systems | |
骋贰听4010 | Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing | |
贬滨听4001 | History Internship | |
贬滨听4455 | History Capstone Seminar (TECO) | |
笔翱听3125 | Political Parties, Elections, and Interest Groups (TECO) | |
笔翱听3255 | Model United Nations (GACO,INCO) | |
Any Spanish course for which the student is qualified | ||
厂厂贰听1550 | Adolescent Development and Teaching Humanities (WECO) | |
厂厂贰听2550 | Facilitating Social Studies Lessons and Discussions | |
厂厂贰听3550 | Lesson and Inquiry Planning in the Social Studies | |
厂厂贰听4550 | Unit Planning and Assessment in the Humanities | |
| Electives | 45-54 | |
| Total Credits | 73-88 | |
Social Studies Education (5-12) Option
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Social Studies Education (5-12) Option | ||
| Group A (Pedagogy) | ||
| 厂厂贰听1550 | Adolescent Development and Teaching Humanities (WECO) | 3 |
| 厂厂贰听2550 | Facilitating Social Studies Lessons and Discussions | 3 |
| 贰顿听2800 | Inclusive Education and Technology (TECO) | 4 |
| 厂厂贰听3550 | Lesson and Inquiry Planning in the Social Studies | 4 |
| Complete ONE course from the following: | 4 | |
贰狈听4560 | Teaching Digital Literacy, Grades 5鈥12 | |
贰狈听4318 | Teaching Writing: Grades 5鈥12 | |
| 厂厂贰听4550 | Unit Planning and Assessment in the Humanities | 4 |
| Group B (Social Studies Content) | ||
| HISSE core Major Requirements (贬滨听1005, 贬滨听2011, 贬滨听2006 or 贬滨听2016, 贬滨听2223, and 贬滨听3571) | ||
| 笔翱听1025 | American Government | 4 |
| Complete ONE course from the following: | 3-4 | |
笔翱听1035 | World Politics (GACO) | |
骋贰听2200 | Human Geography | |
| 厂翱听3130 | Economic Diversity and Inequality | 4 |
| 贰颁听3400 | Economics for Educators | 3 |
| Upper-Level Elective Social Studies Content | ||
| Complete a minimum of 4 credits in HI: | 4 | |
| HI | History (not HIDI) | |
| Complete a minimum of 8 credits in the following disciplines: | 8 | |
AN | Anthropology (not ANDI) | |
EC | Economics (not ECDI) | |
GE | Geography (not GEDI) | |
HI | History (not HIDI) | |
PO | Political Science (not PODI) | |
PS | Psychology (not PSDI) | |
SO | Sociology (not SODI) | |
| Electives | 10 | |
| Group C (Student Teaching) | ||
| 厂厂贰听4630 | Social Studies Seminar | 1 |
| 厂厂贰听4640 | Internship in Secondary Social Studies | 12 |
| Total Credits | 71-72 | |
- 1
Groups A, B, and C courses require a minimum grade of C in the SSE Option.听HI Major Requirements are considered part of Group B.
- 2
SSE courses in Group A should be taken in sequence.听
- 3
A听minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA, C minimum in Groups A/B courses, and passed Praxis Core are requisite to entry into SSE 3550 and 4550.
- 4
A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, C minimum in Groups A/B courses, and passed Praxis II are requisite to entry in SSE 4630 and SSE 4640.
Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.
To complete the bachelor鈥檚 degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years.听 For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester.听 Credits completed must count听toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).
History Option
| Year One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| 贰狈听1400 | Composition | 4 |
| 滨厂听1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| MA | Mathematics Foundations | 3-4 |
| 贬滨听2011 | Modern World History, 1500 to Present (GACO) | 4 |
| 贬滨听2016 or 贬滨听2006 |
History of Modern Europe, 1300-2000 or Ancient and Medieval Civilizations (GACO) |
4 |
| CTDI | Creative Thought Direction | 3-4 |
| SSDI | Self and Society Direction | 3-4 |
| Electives | 5 | |
| 听 | Credits | 30-33 |
| Year Two | ||
| 贬滨听2223 | Methods, Theories, and Careers in History (QRCO,WRCO) | 4 |
| 贬滨听3571 | Interrogating US History (DICO,TECO) | 4 |
| SIDI | Scientific Inquiry Direction | 3-4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, SIDI, SSDI) | 4-8 | |
| Professional Applications | 3-4 | |
| Electives | 10 | |
| 听 | Credits | 28-34 |
| Years Three and Four | ||
| European 3000/4000 Level History course | 4 | |
| United States 3000/4000 level course | 4 | |
| World 3000/4000 level History course | 4 | |
| 3000/4000 level History course (not HIDI) | 4 | |
| Any level History course (not HIDI) | 4 | |
| 贬滨听4200 | Career Launch: Tell Your Story | 2 |
| Professional Applications | 3-4 | |
| 滨厂听4220 | Signature Project (INCO,INCP) | 4 |
| WECO | Wellness Connection | 0-4 |
| Electives | 31 | |
| 听 | Credits | 60-65 |
| 听 | Total Credits | 120 |
Social Studies Education (5-12)
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| 贰狈听1400 | Composition | 4 |
| MA | Mathematics Foundations | 3 |
| 滨厂听1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| SIDI | Scientific Inquiry Direction | 4 |
| 贬滨听1005 | Introduction to History and Social Studies Education | 1 |
| 听 | Credits | 16 |
| Spring | ||
| CTDI | Creative Thought Direction | 4 |
| 厂厂贰听1550 | Adolescent Development and Teaching Humanities (WECO) | 3 |
| 贰顿听2800 | Inclusive Education and Technology (TECO) | 4 |
| 贬滨听2011 | Modern World History, 1500 to Present (GACO) | 4 |
| 听 | Credits | 15 |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| SSDI | Self and Society Direction | 4 |
| 笔翱听1025 | American Government | 4 |
| 贬滨听2223 | Methods, Theories, and Careers in History (QRCO,WRCO) | 4 |
| 厂厂贰听2550 | Facilitating Social Studies Lessons and Discussions | 3 |
| 听 | Credits | 15 |
| Spring | ||
| Directions (choose from CTDI, SIDI, SSDI) | 4 | |
| 笔翱听1035 or 骋贰听2200 |
World Politics (GACO) or Human Geography |
4 |
| 贬滨听3571 | Interrogating US History (DICO,TECO) | 4 |
| Upper HI | 4 | |
| 听 | Credits | 16 |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Elective | 4 | |
| INCP | Integrated Capstone | 4 |
| 厂厂贰听3550 | Lesson and Inquiry Planning in the Social Studies | 4 |
| 贬滨听2006 or 贬滨听2016 |
Ancient and Medieval Civilizations (GACO) or History of Modern Europe, 1300-2000 |
4 |
| 听 | Credits | 16 |
| Spring | ||
| Elective | 4 | |
| 厂翱听3130 | Economic Diversity and Inequality | 4 |
| 贰颁听3400 | Economics for Educators | 3 |
| 贰狈听4560 | Teaching Digital Literacy, Grades 5鈥12 | 4 |
| 听 | Credits | 15 |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Elective | 2 | |
| Upper SS | 4 | |
| Upper SS | 4 | |
| 厂厂贰听4550 | Unit Planning and Assessment in the Humanities | 4 |
| 听 | Credits | 14 |
| Spring | ||
| 厂厂贰听4630 | Social Studies Seminar | 1 |
| 厂厂贰听4640 | Internship in Secondary Social Studies | 12 |
| 听 | Credits | 13 |
| 听 | Total Credits | 120 |
Students will be able to:
- locate historical and scholarly sources using electronic and print media;
- analyze and evaluate primary and secondary sources;
- communicate effectively through polished narrative, persuasive, and analytical writing and presentations;
- identify the significance of key ideas and issues, periods and people, events and movements in world history;
- identify the significance of key ideas and issues, periods and people, events and movements in European history;
- identify the significance of key ideas and issues, periods and people, events and movements in United States history;
- demonstrate an understanding of the range of careers and contributions beyond the classroom that draw on the skills and knowledge developed through historical study.
Explore Program Details
National History Day New Hampshire
National History Day (NHD) is an educational program which encourages middle and high school students to celebrate their skills as historians and exposes them to the processes, sources, and complexities of historical research. Nearly one million students participate nationwide. For information on the national program, visit the . New Hampshire鈥檚 program has been hosted by PSU since 2003.
Co-curricular or extra-curricular, NHD succeeds in proving true the axiom: learning by doing. Working as individuals or in groups, students (grades 6-8 and 9-12) choose a topic relating to a nationally established annual theme. Students investigate their topic, develop a thesis, and interpret primary and secondary sources to apply it to the national theme. These students then bring history to life in meaningful ways by presenting their project in one of the four formats. For more specific information, visit the .
鈥淚鈥檝e made great friends with colleagues from different schools; I鈥檝e developed strong, lasting, positive relationships with students who compete. Many former participants still stay in touch with me.鈥
鈥 A New Hampshire teacher
Explore Today.
Realize Tomorrow.
