First-year History Students

REGISTRATION INFORMATION FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

Welcome to the Department of History at Gordon College! Most of you reading these pages are first year students entering Gordon—and about to make your first choices about what courses to take. These notes should help you think things through.

THE BIG PICTURE

The courses for your history major should be spread out over all four years—but it is fine if the common core history course, HIS121, is the only history class you take in your first year. An alternative is to add a 200-level history course in your second (spring) term. Other than this, some seasoning and college experience can be a good thing before you push deep into the major. Gordon’s “core” (or general education) requirements are as important a part of your education as your major. All Gordon students must take these courses, and many students register for mostly core in the first year. These classes can be challenging and form the basic building blocks for your further education as a history major.

Gordon’s Department of History offers a flexible major that can be combined with a minor or another major. History majors can add a concentration in public history and museum studies. Current students have paired a history major with a minor in Classics or a foreign language. Popular double-majors include education, international affairs, political science, English, and biblical studies. But you don’t need to make all these decisions in your first semester! Take time to enjoy your classes first.

Paradigm for First-Year History Major

Fall

BCM101 Old Testament

HIS121 Historical Perspectives on Culture, Belief and Civilization

Language, even if you test out of core (recommended: Latin, German, or French)

COR107, 108, or 109 The Great Conversation

Spring

BCM103 New Testament

PHI118 The Examined Life

Language, even if you test out of core (recommended: Latin, German, or French)

200-level history course or appropriate general core course

WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I GET TO CAMPUS IN THE FALL?

Check the orientation schedule for the exact time and location of a meeting with History Department faculty, on the Monday morning before classes begin. At this meeting, we first gather as a group for an information session about our department and your major.
You then meet individually with your faculty advisor to fine-tune your registration. At that meeting any problems with your pre-registration are sorted out and your registration is finalized.
It will be good to meet you that day, if not before! We’re very pleased you’re coming to Gordon, and we very much look forward to working with you during your college career!