First Year
History Courses for First Year Students
Most History courses are open to all undergraduates, including first-year students. You may enroll in any history courses numbered 1 – 194 with only a few exceptions.
All of our courses are above AP level; AP credit applies to the History Major only.
Especially for First Year Students:
1) FOCUS courses (History 89FCS)
The Focus Program is Duke University 's signature program for first-year
students, providing clusters of interdisciplinary courses designed around
a common theme. In these thematic clusters students explore issues such as
engineering and the urban environment, the performing arts, genomics, migration
and globalization, global health, and social ideals from multiple perspectives.
History seminars in the FOCUS program bring a long term perspective
to these themes. Look for History 89FCS to register.
2) First Year Seminars (History 49s)
First-year seminars are designed to engage first-year students in a small-group learning experience that will serve to integrate them into the academic life of this institution. The 49S-series seminars enable new students to work closely with a distinguished member of the Duke faculty and a small group of their classmates to explore a special topic of interest. Look for History 49S to register.
Seriously Interested in a History Major?
If you are considering a history major, you may also take one of our gateway courses. These courses are designed to introduce new majors to the ways historians do their work. Expect to engage with historical literature and to develop skills in historical research, writing, and thinking in these classes.
Questions? Contact Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Elizabeth Fenn