History

Associate in Arts Degree with a Concentration in
History (652)

The history concentration will prepare students to transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor's degree in history.

Follow this link for career information.

Transfer Considerations

Students who have already chosen the university to which they plan to transfer should consult that institution's catalog or department advisor and an SVCC academic advisor in planning their program. Transfer guides for some universities are available at svcc.edu/transfer.

1. Students wanting to major in history may have a choice of earning a B.A. or a B.S. degree, depending on the school they attend. History majors normally pursue a B.A. degree, but students should consult their Academic Advisor on the differences between degrees. A history major may also pursue a program leading to state certification as high school (9-12) history teachers.
2. Students pursuing history as a major are advised to take non-history courses to fulfill the GECC Humanities and the GECC Social and Behavioral Sciences general education requirements. Consult with your advisor frequently as you take courses in General Education. These courses may impact your major/area plan of study (this is especially important when pursuing a major in History Education).
3. Students should complete the American History (HIS 221 and 222) and Western Civilization (HIS 131 and 132) Sequences prior to transfer as these courses are foundational prerequisites at most colleges.
4. Students who have decided upon a minor field are encouraged to complete one or more courses in the minor. Students planning to seek high school (6-12) teacher certification are encouraged to complete one or more recommended professional education courses. Students should select courses in consultation with an advisor.

Competitive Admissions

Since admission is competitive, completing the recommended courses does not by itself guarantee admission.

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College

• Academic Advising, 815-835-6354
• Richard Eichman, Professor of History / English, 815-835-6380

 

Minimum Total Credit Hours - 66 Hours

Suggested Course Sequence

First Semester - 17 Hours

Course #	Course Title	Hours
**	Electives / Foreign Language	4 Hours
	Humanities	3 Hours
	Mathematics	3 Hours
ENG101	Composition I	3 Hours
This course 1 develops awareness of the writing process 2 provides inventional organizational and editorial strategies 3 stresses the variety of uses for writing and 4 emphasizes critical skills in reading thinking and writing.Prerequisite Required placement score on approved English placement test high school unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher or a grade of C or higher in ELA 099.3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C1 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
FYE101	First Year Experience	1 Hour
The focus of this course is how to be successful in college. Study skills goal setting academic planning time and money management and information research skills are among the core topics included in this course. Within a supportive environment students will share their college experiences and develop connections with fellow students and SVCC staff. Prerequisite None1 Semester hoursLectureLab Hours 1 lecweek
* HIS131	Western Civ to 1648	3 Hours
Origins and development of western civilization beginning with the classical civilization of the ancient world and dealing with the contributions of each major historical group until the emergence of modern Europe in the commercial revolution of the sixteenth century.Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S2 902LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek

 

Second Semester - 16 Hours

Course #	Course Title	Hours
**	Electives / Foreign Language	4 Hours
	Fine Arts	3 Hours
ENG103	Composition II	3 Hours
An advanced course in essay writing with emphasis on formal research ENG 103 serves to develop a proficiency in the collection and selection of data as applied to the completion of a formal research paper. In addition students receive instruction in logic and reasoning including the fundamentals of argumentative and persuasive writing. Prerequisite A grade of C or higher in ENG 101 or its equivalent or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C1 901RLectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
* HIS132	Western Civ Since 1648	3 Hours
A continuation of the subject material offered in HIS 131. The history of the social economic political and intellectual life of modern times the French Revolution the Napoleonic era nationalism and imperialism world wars the problems of world cooperation and evaluation of present world problems are studied.Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S2 903LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
PSC163	Am Government & Politics	3 Hours
Students will examine American constitutional foundations and democratic values explore the role of public opinion and the character of the political process and understand the role of the media and interest groups in policy-making. Students will gain an understanding of how the major branches of the federal government work and improve skills in evaluating and analyzing current public policy issues. Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S5 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek

 

Third Semester - 16-17 Hours

Course #	Course Title	Hours
**	Electives / Foreign Language	4 Hours
	Electives	3 Hours
***	Life Science	3-4 Hours
COM131	Intro to Oral Communication	3 Hours
The oral communication course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. The course 1 develops awareness of the communication process 2 provides inventional organizational and expressive strategies 3 promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts and 4 emphasizes critical skills in listening reading thinking and speaking.Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C2 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
HIS221	American History to 1865	3 Hours
Students will examine the first interactions of Native American cultures European conquerors and enslaved Africans. They will compare the Spanish French and English experiences in North America and explore the events in the English colonies that led to revolution and independence. They will examine the constitution issues political clashes and social changes of the Federalist Jefferson and Jacksonian periods. Students will explore westward expansion immigration in the north and southern slave economy. They will consider the events of the decade of crisis that led to civil war and look closely at the war and its major consequences. Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI IAI S2 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek

 

Fourth Semester - 16-17 Hours

Course #	Course Title	Hours
**	Humanities / Foreign Language	4 Hours
***	Physical Science	3-4 Hours
	Personal Development	3 Hours
	Social / Behavioral Sciences	3 Hours
HIS222	American History Since 1865	3 Hours
Students will examine American history from the Reconstruction Era to the present. They will gain an understanding of historical periods and events such as the Industrial Revolution the Gilded Age the Great Depression the two World Wars the Cold War the Age of Affluence and the Struggle For Racial and Gender Equality. Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI IAI S2 901LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek

 

Footnotes

* Since schools divide historical periods differently across courses, students should complete course sequences at the same school.

** B.A. degree may require competency in a single foreign language through the third or fourth college semester. B.S. degree may require more courses in mathematics, statistics and/or computer science. Consult an academic advisor for more information.

*** One lab science required.