Study Away for History Majors
Study away, both internationally and domestically, can be a transformative experience. History majors who have pursued study away frequently comment that the past truly “came alive” for them when they had the chance to visit historic sites and walk in the footsteps of the people whose lives they were studying. Furthermore, studying in a different intellectual environment, alongside students who have distinct backgrounds and experiences, helps to underscore that there is no one “right” way to learn about the past.
The history department encourages study away by allowing students to petition for major credit for up to 3 courses taken elsewhere. Before studying away, students should discuss the specific courses they would like to take with their advisor and to consider how these courses may count toward the major. Please note: advisors cannot guarantee that a course will receive major credit in advance. While studying away, the student should retain a copy of all course syllabi, papers, and exams, preferably in PDF format if possible. When they return from studying away, they should complete the online petition for course major credit, where they will upload these materials for consideration by the department. While there is no fixed deadline for submitting course petitions, we recommend that students complete the process as soon as possible after returning from studying away, as it can take several weeks for the department to process and approve petitions.