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This archived information is dated to the 2011-12 academic year only and may no longer be current.

For currently applicable policies and information, see the current Stanford Bulletin.

History, Literature, and the Arts

Up one level:

Bachelor of Arts in History

The History, Literature, and the Arts (HLA) track is designed for the student who wishes to complement his or her work in History with study in literature, particularly in a foreign language. For the purposes of this major, literature is defined broadly, including art, drama, films and poetry, memoirs and autobiography, novels, as well as canonical works of philosophy and political science. It appeals to students who are interested in studying literature primarily in its historical context, or who want to focus on both the literature and history of a specific geographical area while also learning the language of that area.

Gateway Course—HISTORY 132A. Enlightenment and the Arts gives students a broad introduction to the study of literary texts in history. Note: The former gateway course, HISTORY 239E, History, Literature and the Arts in Great Britain, may be counted in lieu of 132A.

Methodological Cluster—This three-course cluster teaches students how historians, in particular, analyze literary texts as documentary sources. Students choose three courses from among the pre-approved HLA methodology curriculum. These courses need not be in the student's geographic concentration. For 2011-12, these courses are:

* Courses marked with an asterisk are non-Western lectures that students in the The History, Literature, and the Arts (HLA) track can use towards both a HLA methodology course and as the non-Western lecture requirement.

Geographical Cluster—Students select four History courses in one geographic area. These are: Europe, Britain and the countries of the former British Empire, Asia, North America, Latin America, the Middle East, or Africa. These four courses must be taken in addition to the three methodological courses required above.

Interdisciplinary Cluster—Four courses, taken outside the Department of History, must address the literature and arts, broadly defined, of the area chosen for the geographic concentration. The student's adviser must pre-approve all courses in this cluster; these courses may not be double-counted towards a minor or major other than History.

Research Seminar for Majors—HISTORY 209S; fulfills Writing in the Major requirement.

General Requirements—Like all History majors, students in History Interdisciplinary Programs must complete two lecture courses (one Europe or U.S, one Africa, Asia, Middle East or Latin America), two 200-level courses, a Sources and Methods seminar, and a Research Seminar for Majors.

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