History, B.A., Pre-Law Specialization

Department Contact:

Dr. Denise Holladay Damico

Program Description:

Studying History encourages “respect for the uniqueness of the individual person,” drawing upon  the understanding that History is “people making choices and those choices making a difference.” If knowledge is power, studying the past cultivates “a humble and generous attitude toward learning.” At Saint Francis University, our History curriculum encourages “Solidarity and Reconciliation” through careful study of the categories of race, class, gender, and place, in the U.S., Europe, and throughout the world, emphasizing the ways in which we form “a Community that transcends particular nations and cultures.” History students learn to reason critically and analytically, to synthesize large bodies of information, and to write clearly and effectively - skills that are applicable to any job setting.

Students take courses in U.S. Constitutional Law, civil liberties and civil rights, and business law. Students study case law, logic, writing, and public speaking, while developing and refining their communications skills and critical reasoning abilities. Students will also learn how to do political and policy research. The specialization provides a unique preparation for law school as students will receive professional advising from a Pre-Law adviser. Saint Francis University offers two highly competitive early admission programs for pre-law students, in collaboration with Duquesne University School of Law and Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law. These partnerships provide special academic opportunities for qualified students to earn both an undergraduate degree and a law degree in just six years rather than seven. Either program can easily be completed with the History major.

Paralegal courses can be taken as pre-law electives. This makes it very feasible for interested students to complete the pre-law specialization and the paralegal minor simultaneously.

Student Learning Outcomes:

History majors will:

• Understand major developments in History.
  • Identify key events, movements, and figures in the history of the U.S., and understand these events, movements, and figures in transnational history.
  • Identify key events, movements, and figures in the history of Europe, and understand these events, movements, and figures in transnational context.
  • Identify key events, movements, and figures in world history and understand these events, movements, and figures in transnational context.
  • Develop a chronological and synthetic paradigm of the past.
• Develop critical thinking skills within the context of the discipline of History.
  • Find and analyze primary source documents.
  • Find and interpret secondary sources.
  • Generate evidence-based original analysis.
• Develop effective writing skills.
  • Utilize methods appropriate to the discipline of History.
  • Implement citation styles consistent with the professional standards of History.

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically four years of full-time study

Capstone Requirement:

Students are required to complete a capstone project as part of the required course HIST 499  History Capstone.

Total Credits Required:

128 credits minimum