History Major

History Major

History

Major

History majors explore the past to be better prepared as leaders in the future. They learn about how historical events and decisions have shaped societies - and how they still influence today's military, politics, and global relationships. 

Offered by the Department of History & War Studies.

Broad historical knowledge is central to developing informed citizens and soldiers.It helps cadets place their service as future Army officers in the context of U.S., Western, and world history. Additionally, it provides the cultural and historical literacy necessary for officers to serve effectively wherever in the world they may find themselves.This is particularly true in the case of counterinsurgency warfare, where victory depends on achieving legitimacy in the eyes of the indigenous population. 
 
Officers with an appreciation of history recognize that every situation is historically unique.They understand that history is of value not in divining answers about the future but in asking the right questions.History is the means of putting human activities and ideas in context, avoiding false analogies, lending a sense of scope and scale, assessing moral implications, anticipating unintended consequences, and judging the feasibility and suitability of possible courses of action. Consulting history on these issues helps officers arrive at thoughtful, appropriate, and humane solutions to the problems they will face in their careers.  

All cadets interested in a history major will choose to complete the degree without a thesis, with a thesis, or complete an honors degree with a thesis.

To learn more about this study area, visit the Department of History and War Studies.

This major has three tracks - Military, International, and United States. Each includes 13 required courses and also offers an honor track. 

Curriculum Requirements

  • HI301 - HIST OF MILITARY ART TO 1900
  • HI498 - COLLOQUIUM IN HISTORY

IT/CYBER Requirement

Cadets satisfy the IT/CYBER requirement by successfully completing the IT/CYBER content in the core curriculum and CY305/355. It also satisfies the STEM Depth requirement.

  • CY305 - CYBER FOUNDATIONS
  • CY355 - CYBER FOUNDATIONS - COMPUTING

Core Engineering Sequence

Cadets can choose any approved three-course Core Engineering Sequence.

Writing in the Major

Cadets satisfy the West Point Writing Program requirement by successfully completing writing requirements in the core curriculum and this course in the major.

  • HI498 - COLLOQUIUM IN HISTORY

Complementary Support Courses

  • LX300 - 3RD SEMESTER FOREIGN LANG
  • Choose 2 of 72 electives

Integrative Experience for the Major

  • HX400 - INTEGRATIVE EXPERIENCE IN HIST

Science Depth (choose 1)

  • CH102 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
  • CH275 - BIOLOGY
  • PH202 - PHYSICS II
  • PH252 - ADVANCED PHYSICS II
  • PH275 - PHYSICS II: SPACE

Required Courses

Military History

Choose 5 of 16

  • HI338 - WARFARE IN AGE OF REVOLUTIONS
  • HI355 - WARFARE, INDUSTRY, & EMPIRE
  • HI356 - WAR AT SEA, SKY, SPACE
  • HI357 - ARMED CONFLICT IN THE COLD WAR
  • HI359 - ERA OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR
  • HI370 - ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL WARFARE
  • HI376 - EARLY MODERN WARFARE
  • HI381 - HISTORY OF IRREGULAR WARFARE
  • HI383 - MIDDLE EASTERN WARFARE
  • HI389 - TOPICS IN MILITARY HISTORY
  • HI496 - ADV IND STUDY IN HISTORY (3CR)
  • WS358 - STRATEGY AND GENERALSHIP
  • WS385 - WAR AND ITS THEORISTS
  • XH491 - INTERDISCIPLINARY CAPSTNE-HIST
  • ZH335 - MILITARY HISTORY
  • ZH345 - TOPICS IN MILITARY HISTORY

Out-of-Stem History Electives

  • Choose 2 of 38

International History

Choose 5 of 21

  • HI337 - CHINA: EMPIRE, REPUBLIC, & MAO
  • HI339 - THE MODERN MIDDLE EAST
  • HI341 - THE AGE OF EXPLORATION
  • HI343 - MODERN GERMANY
  • HI344 - MODERN DIPLOMACY
  • HI345 - MODERN AFRICA
  • HI346 - INDIA, PAKISTAN, & BANGLADESH
  • HI347 - ASIAN WARFARE AND POLITICS
  • HI348 - MODERN LATIN AMERICA
  • HI361 - MEDIEVAL EUROPE
  • HI364 - MODERN WESTERN EUROPE
  • HI367 - IMPERIAL AND SOVIET RUSSIA
  • HI368 - MOD CENTRAL & E. EUR,1896-1989
  • HI377 - EMPIRES & REVOLUTIONS
  • HI378 - INDUSTRY, IDEOLOGY & THE STATE
  • HI388 - TOPICS IN INTERNATIONL HISTORY
  • HI391 - WORLD RELIGIONS
  • HI496 - ADV IND STUDY IN HISTORY (3CR)
  • XH491 - RDISCIPLINARY CAPSTNE-HIST
  • ZH315 - MODERN REGIONAL HISTORY
  • ZH325 - TOPICS IN REGIONAL HISTORY

Out-of-Stem History Electives

  • Choose 2 of 32

United States History

Choose 5 of 14

  • HI340 - COLONIAL AMERICA
  • HI369 - AMERICAN FRONTIERS
  • HI372 - US FGN RELATIONS SINCE 1898
  • HI387 - TOPICS IN AMERICAN HISTORY
  • HI392 - AMERICAN HISTORICAL MEMORY
  • HI393 - AMERICA IN DEPRESSION AND WAR
  • HI394 - REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA
  • HI395 - HIST OF CIVIL WAR AMERICA
  • HI396 - THEODORE ROOSEVELT'S AMERICA
  • HI397 - THE US FROM COLD WAR TO TODAY
  • HI398 - CIVIL RIGHTS IN AMER HIST
  • HI487 - EARLY AMERICAN REPUB 1787-1826
  • HI496 - ADV IND STUDY IN HISTORY (3CR)
  • XH491 - INTERDISCIPLINARY CAPSTNE-HIST

Out-of-Stem History Electives

  • Choose 2 of 39

To learn more, view the full History major curriculum.

Cadets in this major have the opportunity to participate in a range of immersive activities through the Department of History & War Studies (HWS), including summer internships through the U.S. Army War College and with the Joint Staff History Office. Activities include Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) opportunities, staff rides, and local trips to bring cadets to places where history happened, at home and abroad. 

Majors may also publish their work in the West Point Undergraduate Historical Review and work with the department’s academic centers.

Honor societies:

To learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of History & War Studies, Center for Oral History, Digital History Center, or the Resnick Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies.