More than one hundred courses in the Department of History are available to Vanderbilt undergraduates. Some focus on a particular historical period, others on a particular region of the world, and still others on topics that may cross traditional chronological and geographical boundaries. The department is committed to the principle that in a changing world, the way we learn about the past must also change. It will continue to develop new courses for the twenty-first century, with an emphasis on those that recognize the interconnections among the various civilizations and regions of the globe.
Unless indicated otherwise in the course description, history courses have no prerequisite. Except for History 3980, 4960, 4980–4981, and 4999, courses numbered below 5000 are open to all majors and nonmajors. History 4960 is limited to seniors and juniors who have previously taken History 3000W. History 3980, 4980–4981, and 4999 are limited to students who have been admitted to the History Honors Program.
Students will find that the study of history offers not only a strong foundation for a liberal education but also a means of understanding the contemporary world. The skills developed in gathering, assessing, and synthesizing information have wide application in many careers, including business and the professions.
The Department of History offers a major and minor in history; a major in law, history, and society; and, in cooperation with the Department of Economics, a joint major in economics and history, which is described in this catalog under Economics and History.