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Global History (BA)

The Global History major is derived from the discipline of global history, which emphasizes interactions and collisions between and among cultures. The major offers undergraduates the chance to become specialists in their chosen period of the history of the world, either prehistory-500 CE, 500-1650, or 1650-the present. After completing the required three-part survey in global history, students choose the period that most interests them and pursue electives and research topics from it. Electives cover a wide range of topics, but all of them embrace the principles of global history rather than producing students with a narrow and specialized geographic focus. The required skills courses introduce students to the major schools of historical thought, varied techniques and approaches to doing historical research, and provide them with the opportunity to do original research in their capstone seminars. Honors students will have the opportunity to produce a senior thesis over the course of their final year of study under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

Credits required. 36

Advisor: Professor Allison Kavey, Department of History, (212.237.8819, akavey@jjay.cuny.edu)

PART ONE. Introductory Subtotal: 9 credits

History 203 Global History: Prehistory to 500 CE
History 204 Global History: 500-1650
History 205 Global History: 1650-present


PART TWO. Research and Methodology Subtotal: 6 credits

History 240 Historiography
History 300 Research Methods in History


PART THREE. Chronological Tracks Subtotal: 15-18 credits

Students will choose one of three chronological tracks: Prehistory to 500 CE; 500-1650; or 1650 to the Present. Students will complete six elective courses (18 credits). History majors who are in the Honors track will complete five elective courses (15 credits). Two of the elective courses for all students must be at the 300 level or above.


Category A. Prehistory to 500 CE

Art 222. Body Politics: Depictions of the Human Body from the Ancient World to the Present
History 2XX. History of Ancient Greece and Rome
History 361. Ancient Egypt
History 362. History of Science and Medicine: Prehistory to 1650
History 3XX. History of Lynching and Collective Violence: From the Ancient World to the Present
History 3XX. History of Science and Medicine: 1650 - Present
History 3XX. Traditional China to 1600
History 3XX. Warfare in the Ancient Near East and Egypt
History 3XX. Religions of the Ancient World
History 3XX. Law and Society in Ancient Greece and Rome
History 364/Gender Studies 364. History of Gender and Sexuality: Prehistory to 1650
History/Gender Studies 3XX. History of Gender and Sexuality: 1650 - Present


Category B. 500-1650

Art 222. Body Politics: Depictions of the Human Body from the Ancient World to the Present
History 2XX. The History of Muslim Societies and Communities
History 2XX. History of the Caribbean
History 362. History of Science and Medicine: Prehistory to 1650
History 381. The Social History of Catholicism: 1500 to the Present
History 3XX. Genocide: 500 to the Present
History 3XX. The History of Terrorism
History 3XX. Sex, Gender, and Culture in Muslim Societies
History 3XX. African Diaspora History I: To 1808
History 3XX. History of Lynching and Collective Violence: From the Ancient World to the Present
History 3XX. History of Science and Medicine: 1650 - Present
History 3XX. Traditional China to 1600
History 364/Gender Studies 364. History of Gender and Sexuality: Prehistory to 1650
History/Gender Studies 3XX. History of Gender and Sexuality: 1650 - Present
History 265/Latin American Studies 265. Class, Race, and Family in Latin American History
Music 310. Comparative History of African American Musics


Category C. 1650 to the Present

Art 222. Body Politics: Depictions of the Human Body from the Ancient World to the Present
History 217. Three Hundred Years of New York City: A History of the Big Apple
History 225. American Problems of Peace, War, and Imperialism, 1840 to the Present
History 2XX. The History of Muslim Societies and Communities
History 2XX. History of the Caribbean
History 320. The History of Crime and Punishment in the United States
History 381. The Social History of Catholicism: 1500 to the Present
History 3XX. Genocide: 500 to the Present
History 3XX. The History of Terrorism
History 3XX. Sex, Gender, and Culture in Muslim Societies
History 3XX. African Diaspora History I: To 1808
History 3XX. African Diaspora History II: Since 1808
History 3XX. History of Lynching and Collective Violence: From the Ancient World to the Present
History 3XX. History of World Cinema
History 260/Latin American Studies 260. History of Contemporary Cuba
History 265/Latin American Studies 265. Class, Race, and Family in Latin American History
History/Music 2XX. Orchestral Music and the World Wars
Music 310. Comparative History of African American Musics


PART FOUR. CAPSTONE SEMINAR   Subtotal: 3

HIS 4XX. Senior Seminar in History

All global history majors will complete a capstone seminar in their fourth year which unites students from all three chronological tracks in the study of a particular theme. Majors will participate in a seminar devoted to the study of that theme and complete a research parr on a related topic of their choice. They will also present their work at a departmental colloquium.

Total: 36 credits