Download PDF

History - Associate in Arts (652)

Associate in Arts (652)

Students wanting to major in history may have a choice of earning a B.A. or a B.S. degree, depending on the school they attend. History majors normally pursue a B.A. degree, but students should consult their Academic Advisor on the differences between degrees. A history major may also pursue a program leading to state certification as high school (6-12) history teachers. To transfer as a junior, students must complete a minimum of 60 semester credits (64 for the Associate degree). Community college students seeking a bachelor's degree in history are strongly encouraged to complete an Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Associate in Science (A.S.) degree before transferring.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:

1.  Students pursuing history as a major are advised to take non-history courses to fulfill the GECC Humanities and the GECC Social and Behavioral Sciences general education requirements. Consult with your advisor frequently as you take courses in General Education. These courses may impact your major/area plan of study (this is especially important when pursuing a major in History Education).

2. Students who have decided upon a minor field are encouraged to complete one or more courses in the minor. Students planning to seek high school (6-12) teacher certification are encouraged to complete one or more professional education courses recommended for the Associate of Arts in Teaching specialty program. Students should select courses in consultation with an advisor.

3.  As disciplines within the History major are writing intensive, students pursuing the major may want to consider taking history courses which have a significant writing requirement (approximately 15 pages in total of writing). This will assist students with requirements as they work towards their bachelor's degrees at universities.

Click here for career information: www.svcc.edu:academics/programs/individual/652

Students who have already chosen the university to which they plan to transfer should consult that institution's catalog or department advisor and an SVCC academic advisor in planning their program. Students planning on careers as high school history or social science teachers need to meet with an academic advisor.

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College
Academic Advising, 815/835-6354
Richard Eichman, Professor of History/English, 815/835-6380

History - IAI Recommended Baccalaureate Curriculum

Follow this link for career information.

Total Hours Required - 65-66 Hours

Suggested Program

First Semester - 17 Hours

• **Foreign Language 4 Semester hour(s)
• Humanities 3 Semester hour(s)
• Math 3 Semester hour(s)

• ENG101 - Composition I ( 3 Semester Hours)

  A basic course in essay writing with emphasis on exposition, ENG 101 stresses knowledge and application of the rhetorical modes. ENG 101 presupposes competence in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Prerequisite: ACT standard score in English of 22 or above; required scores on the current English placement test, or grade of C or higher in ELA 099. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 900 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• FYE101 - First Year Experience ( 1 Semester Hours)

  This course is designed to facilitate the self-development of the student, and introduce students to the expectations of the college community. This course reviews the academic skills that promote success during their college career. Topics will include, but not limited to, identifying campus/community resources, test-taking strategies, career exploration/decision making, problem solving, literacy, and critical thinking. Students will also learn strategies for taking personal responsibility for their academic and career choices. (Students in good standing (GPA of 2.0 or higher), who have accumulated 16 semester hours or more prior to enrolling as a degree seeking student at Sauk are not required to take this class). Semester hour(s): 1 Lecture/Lab Hours: 1 lec/week

• *

  HIS131 - Western Civ to 1648 ( 3 Semester Hours)

  Origins and development of western civilization beginning with the classical civilization of the ancient world and dealing with the contributions of each major historical group until the emergence of modern Europe in the commercial revolution of the 16th century. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S2 902 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Second Semester - 16 Hours

• Foreign Language 4 Semester hour(s)
• Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)

• ENG103 - Composition II ( 3 Semester Hours)

  An advanced course in essay writing with emphasis on formal research, ENG 103 serves to develop a proficiency in the collection and selection of data as applied to the completion of a formal research paper. In addition, students receive instruction in logic and reasoning, including the fundamentals of argumentative and persuasive writing. Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in ENG 101 or its equivalent or consent of instructor. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 901R Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• *

  HIS132 - Western Civ Since 1648 ( 3 Semester Hours)

  A continuation of the subject material offered in HIS 131. The history of the social, economic, political and intellectual life of modern times; the French Revolution; the Napoleonic era, nationalism and imperialism, world wars; the problems of world cooperation; and evaluation of present world problems are studied. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S2 903 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• PSC163 - Am Government & Politics ( 3 Semester Hours)

  Students will examine American constitutional foundations and democratic values, explore the role of public opinion and the character of the political process, and understand the role of the media and interest groups in policy-making. Students will gain an understanding of how the major branches of the federal government work, and improve skills in evaluating and analyzing current public policy issues. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S5 900 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Third Semester - 16-17 Hours

• Foreign Language 4 Semester hour(s)
• Electives 3 Semester hour(s)
• ***Life Science 3-4 Semester hour(s)

• COM131 - Intro to Oral Communication ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. This course: (1) develops awareness of the communication process; (2) provides inventional, organizational, and expressive strategies; (3) promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts; and (4) emphasizes critical skills in listening, reading, thinking, and speaking. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C2 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• HIS221 - American History to 1865 ( 3 Semester Hours)

  Students will examine the first interactions of Native American cultures, European conquerors, and enslaved Africans. They will compare the Spanish, French, and English experiences in North America, and explore the events in the English colonies that led to revolution and independence. They will examine the constitution issues, political clashes, and social changes of the Federalist, Jefferson and Jacksonian periods. Students will explore westward expansion, immigration in the north, and the southern slave economy. They will consider the events of the decade of crisis that led to civil war, and look closely at the war and its major consequences. (Students cannot earn credit for both the HIS 223 and 224 sequence and the HIS 221 and 222 sequence.) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S2 900 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Fourth Semester - 15-17 Hours

• FOREIGN LANGUAGE

  OR

  HUMANITIES/FINE ARTS 3-4 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
   
• **Physical Science 3-4 Semester hour(s)
• Personal Development 3 Semester hour(s)
• Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 Semester hour(s)

• HIS222 - American History Since 1865 ( 3 Semester Hours)

  Students will examine American history from the Reconstruction Era to the present. They will gain an understanding of historical periods and events such as the Industrial Revolution, the Gilded Age, the Great Depression, the two World Wars, the Cold War, The Age of Affluence, and the Struggle for Racial and Gender Equality. (Students cannot earn credit for both the HIS 223 and 224 sequence and the HIS 221 and 222 sequence.) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S2 901 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Footnotes

• *Since schools divide historical periods differently across courses, students should complete course sequences at the same school.
• **B.A. degree may require competency in a single foreign language through the third or fourth college semester. B.S. degree may require more courses in mathematics, statistics and/or computer science. Consult an academic advisor for more information.
• ***One lab science required.