The study of history introduces students to peoples, ideas, and cultures that may be unfamiliar, and thereby helps put our own world into perspective. Because the past is as big as the world itself, history offers something for everyone. Indeed, historical study plays an important part in fostering well-rounded intellectual development as well as developing valuable career skills in research, writing, argumentation and documentation.
Meet our History Department Faculty here.
Want to learn more about our Faculty? From their recommended reading to their favorite TV show, visit our Faculty Highlights website!
Major Requirements
Minor Requirements
The History minor has no lower-division History requirements. Three upper division History courses in a primary concentration need to be taken along with two upper division History courses in any concentrations for a total of five History courses.
Tentative Schedules
2026-27: Click here for our tentative schedule for the next 2026-27 academic year in History. Note: this is subject to change frequently over the year, please meet with the advising team to discuss any questions about our class offerings.
Course Descriptions & Flyers
Click here for our Expanded Course Descriptions in History!
HIS 156 with Professor Pérez Meléndez
HIS 166B with Professor Reséndez
HIS 188 with Professor Olmsted and Professor Rauchway
Frequently Asked Questions
- Majors and Minors
What are some popular double major or minor pairings with History?
Students from across a diverse background of programs will double major or minor with History. We recommend meeting with other advising centers to confirm program requirements, but here are some that are popular pairings with History:
- Anthropology
- Art History
- Communications
- Contemporary Leadership (minor only)
- East Asian Studies
- Education (minor only)
- English
- Global Studies (minor only)
- Hemispheric Institute on the Americas (minor only)
- Human Rights (minor only)
- Jewish Studies (minor only)
- Museum Studies (minor only)
- Sociology
- Political Science
- War-Peace Studies (minor only)What do I need to declare a double major?
We encourage you to meet with the undergraduate academic advisors for your major programs to ensure compliance with any specific rules that would affect success in petitioning for a double major. Minimally you will need to:
- Complete at least 1 course in History at UC Davis
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA or better in completed History coursework
- Maintain good academic standing overall- Graduate School and Career
I plan to attend graduate school in History. How should I prepare?
If you are considering a graduate program, review these tips.What are the career opportunities with a major in History?
The discipline focuses on the allocation of resources, which is applicable to many professional pipelines.Where can I find information related to graduate programs?
Visit the pre-graduate advisors at the Office of Educational Opportunity and Enrichment Services.- Major Requirements for History
How can I plan out my History major?
Click here to review the History Department's recommendations on how to plan your time while at UC Davis.If I take a course at another institution, how can I get this course approved for use toward History requirements?
If you take a course at the community college in California, you can use ASSIST to determine articulation. It is also recommended that you email our advising team at [email protected] with the course syllabi for our History faculty to review (process can take up to 10 weeks).What are concentration areas?
At UC Davis, the History program requirements is categorized by concentration areas which follow geographic regions. We have the following concentration fields:
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
- Middle East
- Latin America
- US
- World- PTA and PTD Codes
How do I get a PTA code?
There is typically a great deal of movement on waitlists during the first week of classes, so we recommend joining the waitlist before the 10th day of instruction.If a seat is available in a History course you would like to register for and the add deadline has passed (10th day of instruction), you may submit a History PTA Request along with a copy of the instructor’s approval.
Please note that submission of a request does not guarantee a PTA. All requests will be reviewed by our office, and a PTA may be issued based on availability and approval per the History PTA Policy Guidelines.
How do I get a PTD code?
All PTD codes are issues at the College level, please speak to your College advisor for support with this process.- Passed/Not Passed (P/NP) Grading Mode
For questions about using P/NP grading for your major, please click here.