Social & Political History - Department of History - Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences › Department of History › Undergraduate › Social & Political History

What is Social & Political History?

Social & Political History (SPH) is a research- and writing-intensive major that emphasizes analysis of change over time and in-depth understanding of the societies, cultures, economies, political systems and conflicts that have shaped our world.

All majors take Introduction to Historical Research & Writing and the capstone Historical Research Seminar, where they conduct original, highly individualized historical projects using archival and other primary sources. Outstanding research papers are regularly presented at regional and national history conferences, and at �鶹��’s year-end symposium, Meeting of the Minds. Several students have published the results of their research, and we are exploring new ways to facilitate future publication of students’ research in both undergraduate and professional history journals.

The History Department offers a wide array of survey courses covering seven major regions of the world: Asia, Europe, United States, African Diaspora, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Russia and the Former Soviet States. In addition, the Department offers numerous electives that focus on topics of specialized faculty expertise, such as environment, technology, gender, culture, labor, race, science, criminal justice, education, war, public health, politics, and diplomacy. Many of these topical courses closely link analysis of past and present, with a special interest in applying historical insight to the formulation of public policy.

The broad analytic, research, and writing skills cultivated by the SPH major prepare students for success in a wide variety of graduate and professional schools, and for exercising leadership in careers in business, law, government, education, journalism, public policy, social work, the armed services, Foreign Service, media, museums and libraries. (For students interested in pursuing a professional career in History, options today include not only research and teaching -- our graduates have earned Ph.D. degrees at Harvard, Northwestern, and other major universities -- but also expert positions as historians in museums, archives, historic sites, the armed services, media outlets, and other public history venues.) Often, history graduates pursue post-undergraduate professional school, such as law, business administration, education, public policy, urban planning, librarianship, journalism, the ministry, or social work.

Administered by the Department of History, the Social and Political History major is offered for
either a B.A. or a B.S. degree, or as an Additional Major.

Program Outcomes/Learning Objectives

To trace the development of the societies, cultures, economies, political systems and conflicts that have shaped our world. This step involves learning how to apply historical knowledge to contemporary questions, as well as exercising social leadership, as both professionals and engaged citizens.
To articulate the value of societal “difference,” “context,” and “change over time” by using primary sources as the basis for scholarly analysis. One must learn how to evaluate societies much different from their own, and to identify ethnocentric assumptions in themselves and others.
To synthesize historical knowledge and craft cohesive historical arguments from multiple secondary sources. One will learn how read critically; to analyze and evaluate arguments (including silences in arguments); to understand the logic of scholarly debate (and the meaning of “historiography”); and to draw their own conclusions from competing historical interpretations of past events, themes, individuals, or groups of individuals.
To strengthen one's skills in historical writing, with particular attention to a paper's organization, tone, and style; to appreciate subtlety and nuance in historical argument (including recognition of unintended consequences); to be circumspect in drawing grand “lessons” from history; to be skeptical of arguments that all “change” necessarily represents “progress”; and to be wary of mono-causal explanations of complex historical phenomena.
To practice and improve one's communication skills via regular classroom discussions, oral presentations, collaborative projects, and conversation with the instructor outside of class.
To propose, outline, and ultimately conduct original historical investigations of one's own, using primary (and, if feasible, archival) sources. For this step, one must experience first-hand the creative process in historical research by learning how to integrate analysis, primary source evidence, and supporting secondary works in an original and substantial research project of one's own.
To model the “best practices” that professional historians use to do research using primary and secondary sources. One should first learn and then master the criteria that historians use to identify, dig out, evaluate, and draw inferences from historical “evidence,” and to draw defensible arguments from that evidence. A student must become familiar with up-to-date methods, electronic and otherwise, and practice locating and accessing historical data in libraries, archives, and diverse on-line repositories.
For the Bachelor of Science only: To gain proficiency in a scientific/technical field by focusing one’s electives specifically on the history and anthropology of science, technology, medicine, and their surrounding ethical debates (e.g., application of A.I. in warfare). In addition, one may incorporate approved coursework in economics, statistics and data science, business, and/or political science that complement their historical studies.
Optional: To encourage the pursuit of internships, research assistantships, and/or undergraduate fellowships in Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., or internationally that enhance their understanding of contemporary public affairs and the historical roots of current policy debates.