History Advising FAQ for Undergraduates
This informal FAQ supplements, but does not replace or correct, the Handbook for History Majors (http://www.units.muohio.edu/history/pages/major.html) and the General Bulletin (http://www.miami.muohio.edu/documents_and_policies/bulletin/).
In cases of conflict those official documents prevail.
FAQ Contents:
Double
Majors
Minors and Thematic Sequences
Transferring
Credit and Study Abroad
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1. Q. How do I force-add a history class? I need a class to graduate!
A. Individual instructors control force-adds. The department generally will not add you to a course without instructor permission. The only exception is HST 206, where enrollment is managed in the department office. Note that aside from 206 and capstones, majors and minors do NOT have any special priority in history course enrollment. It is up to you to plan ahead to get the classes you need to graduate.
2. Who is my advisor and how do I find him/her? (history majors)
A. Advising at
Miami is "decentralized." This means you
have different advisors for different purposes.
*Your history faculty advisor is named on the "student" tab of your MyMiami page. This professor can help you choose courses and make general academic and career plans. You can email him/her for an appointment, or check with the department secretary for office hours.
*For advising regarding specific major requirements, substitutions, enrollment, etc. or to add a history major/minor, you will need to see the department's Chief Departmental Advisor (CDA). In our department this professor also serves as the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUGS). For current office hours and contact information see the department website.
*If you need advice on divisional or Miami Plan requirements other than history, you should make an appointment with the College of Arts and Science advising office, 146 Upham Hall, 529-3031.
*Pre-law students should take advantage of the Pre-Law Advising Office.
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These answers pertain to catalog years 2006.10 forward. Your catalog year can be found at the top of your DAR. For previous years consult the Handbook for History Majors.
1. Q. I'm a new major. What courses must I take first?
A. You're required to take History 206, and we recommend you take it as soon as possible after declaring the major, preferably by the end of the sophomore year. Other than that, you may take courses in any order you like; there are no prerequisites. The only restriction is that the capstone must be taken during the senior year to count for capstone credit.
2. Q. I took HST 3XX and thought it would count for the pre-modern requirement or the geographical diversity requirement (formerly known as non-western), but on my DAR it just shows up as general history. What gives?
A. Many courses aren't properly coded by DAR, particularly if they're new or temporary. You will need to have the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUGS) sign a comment form. The History course booklet and majors' handbook specify which courses meet which requirements.
3. Q. Can I substitute a capstone in another department for my History capstone?
A. No.
4. Q. I'm a junior adding a history major. I've already taken 18 hours of history, including some upper-division courses. Do I still have to take all the required survey courses?
A. Not necessarily. Advanced students adding the major can petition to substitute an upper-division course in the same subject area as the survey class you want to skip. See the DUGS.
5. I'd like to take HST 206 at another school, or here in summer. Can I do that?
A. To petition to substitute a course at another school for 206, bring or send a copy of the syllabus to the CDA. Generally 206 isn't offered in the summer at Miami.
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1. Q. I want to double major in history and something else. Is this feasible?
A. Yes, depending on the other program. Common double majors are Political Science, Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs, International Studies, and English. Double majors with other divisions, such as the Schools of Education or Business, are possible, but they require very careful planning and usually some summer coursework.
2. Q. I'm a Political Science and History double major. Do I have to take two capstones?
A. No. History requires a capstone, but Political Science doesn't.
3. Q. History is my "second" major and Banner won't let me register for 206 or a History Capstone. How do I get in?
A. You'll need to force-add, since Banner only recognizes primary majors. For 206, contact the CDA as soon as possible to request a force-add. For a capstone, contact the instructor. Have several back-up choices as some capstones fill quickly. Note: capstones will be opened to all majors at open registration time, so be sure to get your request in early.
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1. Q. Does my minor count for my thematic sequence requirement?
A. Yes. Second majors, and minors, satisfy the thematic sequence requirement. Simply declare the major or minor; no other paperwork is necessary.
2. Q. How do I sign up for a thematic sequence?
A. Ask the department or program where the sequence is housed for the name of the sequence coordinator, and take a yellow change of program form to that person for a signature.
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Transferring History
Credit and Study Abroad
1. How do I choose a program for study abroad?
A. This process is exciting but it can also be a bit overwhelming. You can begin by talking to your professors, faculty advisor, and the Office of International Programs about your goals and interests. Faculty often know a good deal about the programs located in the parts of the world about which they teach. The department also has a short list of recommended programs posted on its website. However, there are many other excellent programs that can suit your needs. Once you've narrowed the choices down to a few finalists, it's a good idea to talk it over with your advisors again before you sign up.
2. Q. I want to study abroad through a non-Miami program (or take summer courses at another school). How will those courses count toward my major and Miami Plan requirements?
A. First, check on www.transfer.org to see if the course will transfer automatically. Log on as "guest." If it's not listed there, take your course descriptions to the CDA for an advance estimate.
3. I studied at another school. How do I get the courses counted toward my history major requirements?
A. Transfer credit must first be recognized by Miami and appearing on your DAR. Once it appears, check your DAR to see how it is counting toward your major requirements. Advanced courses usually must be hand-assigned by the CDA. Bring course descriptions and a syllabus, if possible.
4. I want a history course taken elsewhere to count for CAS or Miami Plan requirements. What do I do?
A. Get a petition form from the CAS or Liberal Education office and bring it to the CDA, along with a syllabus for the course and your DAR. S/he will write a comment on your petition and sign it. Petitions are ultimately decided on by those offices.