History

The History Associate in Arts Degree is designed to prepare students to acquire basic historical knowledge and academic skills, both to transfer to a four-year institution, and to understand historical causes of current events. History is the study of change over time. Historians analyze cause and effect, construct narratives from primary and secondary sources, and try to explain the actions of people in the past. Students in history courses learn more than dates, names, and events. They also learn how to interpret, debate, and draw conclusions. History majors develop a broad perspective on the human experience, and appreciate how the past shaped the present. A History degree is an excellent general preparation for careers in education, law, historical research, historical preservation, government, journalism, media, and communication. This degree requires 18 units in the major, in addition to other graduation requirements.