The History Major and Minor
In addition to the History Major we also offer the History and Social Science Education Major, which is designed for students interested in secondary school teaching.
Read up on our offerings:
The History Major
The History Minor
Student Advising
Honors Program
Past Honors Theses
Student NewsHistory Courses
Fall 2013 Department Course Descriptions
Department Courses in the USC Schedule of Classes
Department Courses in USC Course CatalogueHistory Organizations
Join Clio and Phi Alpha Theta
Clio, USC's undergraduate history organization, is open to students of all majors and disciplines. It is an event-oriented club dedicated to stimulating, sustaining, and promoting interest in history through participation in campus programs and excursions around Los Angeles that highlight members' diverse areas of interest. Previous events have included movie screenings, a 500 Days of Summer walking tour around downtown LA, and a behind-the-scenes look at the Getty Museum. Such programs have aspired to enrich the undergraduate experience through activities that not only enhance enthusiasm for history but also foster a closer connection between the faculty and student body. Meetings are bimonthly on Tuesdays at 6:00 PM in RTCC 320B. E-mail cliousc@gmail.com if you have any questions; we'd love to see you at our next event!
Phi Alpha Theta is a national honors society with a local chapter at USC.
For information, contact Prof. Brett Sheehan
"Celebrating History," 2011
Read the inspiring comments by Alex Hofmann, Clio and Phi Alpha Theta Co-President, at the annual "Celebrating History" gathering on September 20, 2011.
Why Choose History?
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Because history teaches you to appreciate and evaluate the world beyond your own lived experience.
The study of History can take you to cultures, places, and events beyond the here-and-now. You can study politics, armies, social groups, the ties between the sexes, big ideas, art, or the making of great literature.
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Because the study of history can train you to write, think, and argue critically.
Historians are analysts of complex data, exotic documents, mysterious images and writers of persuasive prose. Some History majors go on to graduate studies and careers in schools, universities, and archives. Others find that they are highly prepared for law school, journalism, politics, social services, or any number of other jobs that require analytical skills.
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Because our History Department faculty are nationally and internationally known experts in their fields.
They combine top-rate research in their specialities with a dedication to teaching. Classes are usually small so that students can work personally with professors.
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Because USC and the Los Angeles area provide some of the best resources for historical study in the country.
The History Department hosts its own web-based archival and image databases. Nearby are the world-famous Huntington Library, the Getty Museum and Library, and all the other museums and archives of the LA region.
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Learning Outcomes
History majors will demonstrate:
1. Skill in evaluating individuals, societies, organizations, cultures, and cultural expressions on their own terms across time and space.
2. Skill in reading texts, images, and artifacts.
3. Ability to research and to evaluate evidence in historical context.
4. Skill in critical thinking and expository writing based on logic and evidence.
5. An understanding of how the knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired from historical studies make it possible to negotiate the contemporary world.
6. Preparation for a wide variety of professions and post-graduate programs and professional schools.