Department Website
Program Description
History is the study of human experience of all kinds, considered in relation to particular times and places. It is also a method of thinking characterized by its attention to the contexts in which people have lived and worked. By mastering this method of thinking, students of history gain invaluable skills and knowledge. They learn to analyze and interpret many different kinds of evidence (cultural, social, economic, and political) as well as to organize it into a coherent whole and present it clearly and with style in written or oral form. In doing so, students also learn to justify and question their own and others’ conclusions, for history is always an argument about what actually happened. Indeed, rethinking and revising accepted historical conclusions is one of the most important—and most interesting—tasks of the historian.
Notable among the department’s areas of strength are American urban, social, labor, and ethnic history; medieval, early modern, and modern European history; Latin American history; sub-Saharan African history; early and modern Asian history; and American and European women’s history. The department also pays particular attention to the transnational and global aspects of the discipline.
The University’s Elmer Holmes Bobst Library is rich in works of history, and students also utilize the collections of the New York Public Library, the historical societies and museums in New York City, and neighboring universities.
Minor Declaration
To request declaration of a minor, CAS students should visit the host department. To request declaration of a cross-school minor, CAS students should complete the online Minor Application available in their Albert Student Center. Students may also use the Minor Application in Albert to request cancellation of a CAS or cross-school minor.
Program Requirements
The general (non-specialized) minor in History requires the completion of 16 credits in any combination of 2- and 4-credit courses, with a grade of C or better in each course (courses graded Pass/Fail do not count). Students may also choose one of the specialized subject tracks in the minor (also 16 credits; scroll to the bottom of this tab).
Twelve of the credits must always be taken in the Department of History. No more than 4 credits may be taken in introductory-level courses. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and other advanced standing credit will not count toward the minor. Minors may share (double count) one course with a major or a second minor, with permission from the other department/program.
Course List
Course |
Title |
Credits |
| | 2-4 |
| | 2-4 |
| | 2-4 |
| 1 | 2-4 |
Total Credits | 16 |
- Although it is highly discouraged, students may submit a course petition to the department to count four credits in an introductory-level course toward the 16 credits required for the minor.
- Students that have transferred from LS to CAS may apply one LS course towards their history minor. This course will always be counted as introductory and may NOT count toward the in-residency credit requirements. If you transfer to the history department from LS, your remaining 3 classes must be advanced and taken within the history department (HIST-UA 100+)
- Courses cross-listed with the history department and HIST-UA courses taken during study abroad will count towards the History minor,
- CORE courses (CORE-UA) and Freshman Honors Seminars can only count toward the History minor if they are taught by a Department of History faculty member. These courses can count for introductory credit only.
- Only one course may be double-counted between the History minor and another degree program.
- No internship or independent study will be accepted toward the History minor.
Subject Tracks
The Department of History is launching new regional and topical specialty track options within the History minor. Pursuing the minor in History with all 16 credits tailored to a specialized region or theme allows students to develop and demonstrate their expertise in specific areas and eras, and it also gives graduate schools and future employers evidence of a student's detailed preparation and advanced knowledge in the chosen area. The tracks are:
- Africa and African Diaspora
- Atlantic History
- East Asian History
- Early Modern European History
- Medieval European History
- Modern European History
- Latin American and Caribbean History
- South Asian History
- United States History
- Transregional Histories
- History of Women and Gender
For non-exhaustive lists of courses appropriate for each of these tracks please consult the website of the Department of History. The department will add new courses in the future, and students may petition for other relevant courses to be included. For more information, please email history.undergrad@nyu.edu.
Policies
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
College of Arts and Science Policies
A full list of relevant academic policies can be found on the CAS Academic Policies page.