Program Description

The History department offers courses that explore political, economic, social, and cultural themes of the past with a strong emphasis on global understanding and multicultural contributions. Courses cover the geographical globe from Eastern/Western Europe to Asia and the Americas.

Learn more about the program on the History website.

Associate Degree for Transfer

This program also offers an Associate Degree for Transfer. Learn more and review the degree requirements on the History AA-T listing.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to identify connections between specific people, groups, events, and ideas, and larger historical themes, developments, and topics.
• Students will be able to critically analyze a variety of primary and secondary sources and draw valid historical interpretations from them.

Career Opportunities

A major in history is an excellent preparation for students who wish to enter the legal profession, politics, government service, sociology, travel careers, international trade, library science, and elementary and secondary teaching. Today's students require a global comprehension for their careers and professions, as well as a fundamental understanding and appreciation of the multicultural aspects of the modern world that was shaped by the past. Enhancement with anthropology, geography, ethnic studies, and political science is strongly urged.

Award Type(s)

• AA = Associate in Arts Degree

Units Required

• Major: 36

Additional Information

Note: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

Associate Degree Requirements

A minimum of 90 units is required¹ to complete the associate degree, including:

• Core and support courses for the major (36 units total)
• Completion of one of the following general education patterns:
  • Foothill College General Education
  • Summer Session 2025 only–CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth)²
  • Summer Session 2025 only–Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)²
  • Beginning Fall Quarter 2025–California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)³

¹

Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.

²

Summer Session 2025 is the final term during which CSU GE Breadth and IGETC may be used. Please see a counselor for more information.

³

Cal-GETC begins in Fall Quarter 2025. Please see a counselor for more information.

Note: A grade of "C" (or "P") or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Refer to the Associate in Arts & Associate in Science Degree Requirements page for complete information about graduation requirements and catalog rights.

Core and Support Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Core Courses
HIST 17A	HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1815	4
HIST 17B	HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1812 TO 1914	4
HIST 17C	HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1914 TO THE PRESENT	4
And select 12 units from the following:		12
HIST 3A	WORLD HISTORY FROM PREHISTORY TO 750 CE
HIST 3B	WORLD HISTORY FROM 750 CE TO 1750 CE
HIST 3C	WORLD HISTORY FROM 1750 CE TO THE PRESENT
HIST 4A	HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION TO 800 CE
HIST 4B	HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION: 700-1800
HIST 4C	HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION 1789-PRESENT
Support Courses
Select 12 units from the following, including at least eight units from HIST courses:		12
ETHN 1	INTRODUCTION TO ETHNIC STUDIES
ETHN 2	INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES
ETHN 3	INTRODUCTION TO LATINX STUDIES
ETHN 4	INTRODUCTION TO NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES
ETHN 5	INTRODUCTION TO ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES
HIST 8	HISTORY OF LATIN AMERICA
HIST 10	HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA: THE MULTICULTURAL STATE
HIST 18	INTRODUCTION TO MIDDLE EASTERN CIVILIZATION
HIST 20	HISTORY OF RUSSIA & THE SOVIET UNION
HIST 70R	INDEPENDENT STUDY IN HISTORY
HIST 71R	INDEPENDENT STUDY IN HISTORY
HIST 72R	INDEPENDENT STUDY IN HISTORY
HIST 73R	INDEPENDENT STUDY IN HISTORY
Total Units		36