Welcome to the History Department.  My name is Candice Harrison, and I am delighted to know that you have decided to major in the study of History.  My job today is to help you choose the classes you should register for.

Now that youÕve reviewed and become familiar with the general requirements for the university, such as fulfilling the Core Curriculum, service learning, and foreign language requirements, I would like to talk more specifically about what the History Department expects of its students.  In this tutorial I will address the foundational courses in the history major, which we call lower-division courses.  A further discussion of the history major requirements will take place during Orientation.

Ok, letÕs begin.

A student typically registers for 16-18 credits per semester.  Four, 4-credit courses and perhaps 1 or 2 credits of extracurricular activities.

For the history major, all students have to complete four lower-division courses.
We offer lower-division survey courses in the history of six different regions of the world; therefore, your 1st class should be one of the following:
HIST 110: European Civilization
HIST 120: History of the US
HIST 125: African American History
HIST 130: East Asian Civilizations
HIST 135: Indian Civilizations
HIST 140: Latin American Perspectives
HIST 150: Modern African History

As you progress through the history major, you will take a second of these survey classes.  One will be chosen from the first three on this list, the other from the last four, as the history faculty want you to have a broad familiarity with the global dimensions of history.

Your other two foundational, or lower-division, courses will be what we call methodology courses.  These courses are designed to introduce you to the historical method; that is, how history is researched and written.

History 210, Historical Methods, is required of all our history majors.  We recommend that you take that course in your sophomore year, or perhaps the second-semester of your freshman year.

Your second methodology course is one that you chose from a menu of courses that fulfill this requirement.  These courses vary from semester to semester, and you can always find out from us what those offerings will be.  We recommend that you take your second methodology course only after having completed History 210.

Your two methodology courses will provide you with skills that you will be able to use in subsequent classes. I suggest that you select one, perhaps two, foundational classes during your first semester.

For your next course, we recommend that you register for a Composition course. Developing good writing and speaking skills is essential to your success in the classes you will take at USF.  You should know which class to register for. If you do not, please review the tutorial by watching the chapter on Rhetoric and Composition.

Here are some additional options.
You can take a first-year seminar or a student-in-transition transfer seminar.  These seminars serve as a great introduction to the academic environment at USF and will fulfill a Core requirement.

You can begin or continue a foreign language.  As a History major, you are required to take three semesters of a foreign language. I recommend that you enroll in a language course in your area of interest and you start early to complete this requirement.

You can enroll in Public Speaking which is an important course to take early in your college career.  This course fulfills your Core A1 requirement.  

Or, you can choose a course from one of the Core areas such as Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies, Ethics, or Visual and Performing Arts.

There are also many 1 - 2 credit courses offered at USF that will give you some variety in your schedule.
A College success course
A Physical activity course
A Computer Science course
You can get involved in play production
Or you can join a choir or vocal group

Once you have selected your classes, your schedule should resemble something like thisÉ.
First Year students:

1.  HIST 120 History of the U.S.
2.  RHET 110 Written Communication I
3.  SPAN 101 Ist semester Spanish
4.  First Year Seminar

Or for Transfers: 
1.  HIST 210 Historical Methods
2.  RHET 250 Academic Writing at USF
3.  SPAN 102 2nd Semester Spanish
4.  Core course

If you are a transfer student, you may have completed some of these courses. It is important for you to review your degree evaluation to determine which courses you need to complete.  

Spend some time navigating the Schedule of Classes to familiarize yourself with the layout.  Look for courses that you would like to register for, including specific sections. ÊSpend some time doing this to find a schedule that works for you.    You should also keep a back up list in case some are closed.

If you need help, please contact us.
415.422.6784
history@usfca.edu

Once you have completed the Webtrack quiz, you will be eligible to sign-up for classes when registration opens.  After you register we will review the classes youÕve selected.  If necessary, we will recommend course adjustments.

We look forward to meeting you during Orientation.  During Orientation we will review the 
Welcome to USF!