Minor in History
Our history courses teach students to understand the development and impact of ideas, and the significance of past events, in relation to current societal norms and protests. Students gain an understanding of the arts in their political, social, and cultural contexts. Practitioners and scholars of the arts cannot understand the emergence of various genres, forms, trends, and innovators in the arts without a keen understanding of the rich and varied historical influences on the arts by landmark events and ideas in national and global history. Students will develop a deeper appreciation for the history and development of music, theater, film, and dance by examining the way political and social revolutions, economic crises, and cultural shifts challenged traditions and dramatically reshaped the demands of the audience and the vision of the artist. Each of our history courses trains students to critically evaluate how historians use analytical reasoning and the creative imagination to construct and deconstruct narratives of the past -- narratives that shape our understanding of the nature and journey of humankind in our struggle to make a more just world. What we as historians at Berklee truly aim to do is show students what it means to entertain a new idea, to evaluate its reasoning and purpose, and then to have meaningful and enjoyable conversations that lead to productive self-reflection and principled civic engagement.
Students must complete the following coursework before beginning the minor.
*In certain cases, or according to the preference of the professor teaching the class, LENG-211 may be waived.
- College students: Submit the Declaration of Major/Minor form to the Liberal Arts Department. See detailed instructions in the Registration Guide.
- Conservatory students: submit the Declaration of Minor form to the Registrar's Office.
Upon completion of a minor in history, students will be able to:
- connect the study of history with the study of the arts and emerging political and social trends ;
- understand music, theater, film and dance in historical context;
- recognize the value, and perils, of our having multiple competing narratives about historical events -- an awareness that is essential for responsible citizenship
- speak and write knowledgeably and persuasively about the history of the chosen geographical subject area (i.e. U.S., Europe, Latin America, Central Asia)
- speak and write knowledgeably and persuasively about the history of the chosen cultural subject area (the global narcotics trade, revolutions in Latin America, the human rights law, music, film, and politics in Germany, the importance of certain U.S. cities in the development of popular American music, the American legal system)
- know how to develop evidence-backed arguments that synthesize multiple viewpoints using evidence responsibly drawn from primary and secondary sources.
Four courses for completion of the minor (12 credits).
Students choose four courses from the following list:
- LHIS-217 The Modern Age: Europe 1700-1945 (3 credits)
- LHIS-219 History of Nazi Germany (3 credits)
- LHIS-220 Cinema in Hitler's Germany (3 credits)
- LHIS-230 Caribbean History in Global Context (3 credits)
- LHIS-231 Latin American History (3 credits)
- LHIS-301 International Human Rights (3 credits)
- LHIS-302 Law and Disorder: History of American Law (3 credits)
- LHIS-303 Global History of the Psychoactive (3 credits)
- LHIS-321 America from the Jazz Age to the MTV Age (3 credits)
- LHIS-363 Gender and Power in History (3 credits)
*LHIS-223: For a complete list of offerings, please visit the Liberal Arts Department page.