John Jay College Of Criminal Justice | The City University of New York

Description. The Department of History offers students the opportunity to earn a minor in History by completing 18 credits (six courses) in the department. The first 6 credits form the core of the minor and encompass the general education requirements in history. After completing the core courses, students are invited to select from the electives offered by the Department of History to complete the minor. At least one elective must be at the 300-level to earn a History minor.

Rationale. The study of history supports the analytical skills desired by many graduate programs, including law schools, by teaching students to evaluate evidence, and present and defend arguments about historical change based on evidence. It also provides students with important information about the world in which they live, the process of social change and the factors affecting it, and the creation and evolution of cultural institutions. Students with a strong historical background will be well equipped to work in public institutions because they will have a coherent understanding of the purpose and limitations of public systems. They also will be excellent employees in private institutions because they will understand and be able to support the social and economic purposes of private industry. Finally, students who have studied history make more conscious and active citizens, because they are aware of the role of race and class in America. They are cognizant of the rich history of America's political institutions and their civic responsibilities to use, protect, and maintain their political and legal rights.

Minor coordinator. Professor Michael Pfeifer, Department of History (212.237.8856, mpfeifer@jjay.cuny.edu)

Additional Information. Students who enrolled for the first time at the College in September 2009 or thereafter must complete the minor in the form presented here. Students who enrolled prior to that date may choose the form shown here or the earlier version of the minor. A copy of the earlier version may be obtained at the College Website, the Office of Undergraduate Studies or at the Lloyd George Sealy Library.

PART 1. Survey Courses                                               Subtotal: 6 credits

Select two     

HIS 203 Global History: Prehistory - 500 C.E.
HIS 204 Global History: 500 -1650 
HIS 205 Global History: 1650 - Present

**Please note: Students who have completed HIS 231 MUST take HIS 205**

PART 2. Electives                                                         Subtotal: 12 credits

(Select any four HIS courses)

Electives with appeal for students interested in attending law school

HIS 201 American History: From Colonial Times through the Civil War
HIS 202 American Civilization: 1865 to the Present 
HIS 277 American Legal History
HIS 320 The History of Crime and Punishment in the United States
HIS 323 The History of Lynching and Collective Violence
HIS 354 Law and Society in Ancient Athens and Rome
HIS 3YY The Concept and Practice of Justice in Islamic Lands: 500 C.E. – Present

Electives with appeal for students interested in government and political science 

HIS 201 American Civilization: From Colonial Times through the Civil War 
HIS 202 American Civilization: 1865 to the Present 
HIS 219 Violence and Social Change in America
HIS 254 History of Ancient Greece and Rome
HIS 256 The History of Muslim Societies and Communities 
HIS 264 China to 1650
HIS 274 China: 1650 – Present

Electives with appeal for students interested in criminal justice 

HIS 219 Violence and Social Change in America 
HIS 224 History of Crime in New York City 
HIS 252 Warfare in the Ancient Near East and Egypt
HIS 277 American Legal History
HIS 320 The History of Crime and Punishment in the United States 
HIS 323 The History of Lynching and Collective Violence
HIS 325 Criminal Justice in European Society, 1750-Present
HIS 354 Law and Society in Ancient Athens and Rome
HIS 3YY The Concept and Practice of Justice in Islamic Lands: 500 C.E. - Present

Electives with appeal for students interested in social and cultural history 

HIS 214 Immigration and Ethnicity in the United States 
HIS 219 Violence and Social Change in America 
HIS 265/LLS 265 Class, Race and Family in Latin American History
HIS 364/GEN 364 History of Gender and Sexuality: Prehistory – 1650 
HIS 381 Social History of Catholicism in the Modern World

Electives with appeal for students interested in global history

HIS 252 Warfare in the Ancient Near East and Egypt
HIS 254 History of Ancient Greece and Rome
HIS 264 China to 1650
HIS 274 China: 1650 – Present
HIS 325 Criminal Justice in European Society, 1750-PresentHistory 354 Law and Society in Ancient Athens and Rome
HIS 354 Law and Society in Ancient Athens and Rome
HIS 364/GEN 364 History of Gender and Sexuality: Prehistory – 1650 
HIS 362  History of Science and Medicine: Prehistory – 1650  
HIS 366 Religions of the Ancient World
HIS 370 Ancient Egypt
HIS 381 Social History of Catholicism in the Modern World 
HIS 383 History of Terrorism
HIS 3YY The Concept and Practice of Justice in Islamic Lands: 500 C.E. – Present
HIS 260/LLS 260 History of Contemporary Cuba 
HIS 265/LLS 265 Class, Race and Family in Latin American History
HIS 356/GEN 356 Sexuality, Gender and Culture in Muslim Societies

Electives with appeal for students interested in New York City history

HIS 214 Immigration and Ethnicity in the United States 
HIS 217 Three Hundred Years of New York City 
HIS 224 A History of Crime in New York City

*See the current course schedule for a full listing of History courses.

                                                                                                   Total: 18 credits