The Undergraduate Program
*Please note: If you need your Plan of Study of Study approved, please follow these steps:
- Meet with an UNDED advisor to go over the Plan of Study. The UNDED fall office hours info are listed halfway down this page. Please do NOT send an unapproved Plan of Study to faculty or the DUS via email to get approval. Approval process is ONLY done at the office hours.
- Once you get approval from an UNDED Advisor you can submit the form with their digital signature to (undergraduate-history@columbia.edu). If the advisor does not have a digital signature, another option is to have the advisor (or you with the UNDED approver cc’d) send the form attached confirming approval of the plan.
Only PDFs will be accepted. The plan needs to have the information clear to confirm completion.
UNDED Advising
The Undergraduate Education Committee (UNDED) is a group of six to ten faculty members, elected each year, who serve as advisors to undergraduates with a major or concentration in History. Members of the committee assist students on a range of topics.
UNDED Members:
- Approve plan of study forms (all Plan of Study Forms must be signed by a member of UNDED)
- Determine if a course will count towards the specialization or elective requirements
- Assist students with choosing a specialization
- Provide general guidance on the major and concentration (for both prospective and current majors)
- Note: While UNDED members approve Plan of Study Forms, ONLY the Director of Undergraduate Studies can approve Transfer Credit Forms.
Members of UNDED 2020-2021 – Spring
Neslihan Şenocak, Director of Undergraduate Studies & Associate Professor (Medieval)
Adam Kosto, Chair & Professor (Medieval)
Christopher Brown, Professor (Early Modern European)
Elisheva Carlebach, Salo Wittmayer Baron Professor of Jewish History, Culture and Society (Early Modern European)
Charly Coleman, Associate Professor (Early Modern European)
Carol Gluck, George Sansom Professor of History (East Asian)
Hilary Hallet, Associate Professor (United States History)
Martha Howell, Miriam Champion Professor of History (Early Modern European)
Karl Jacoby, Allan Nevins Professor of American History (United States History)
Matthew Jones, James R. Barker Professor of Contemporary Civilization (History of Science)
Mark Mazower, Ira D. Wallach Professor of History (Modern European)
Caterina Pizzigoni, Associate Professor (Latin American)
Camille Robcis, Associate Professor of History and French (Modern European)
Samuel K. Roberts, Associate Professor of History and of Sociomedical Sciences (United States History)
Tunç Şen, Associate Professor (Middle Eastern)
Pamela Smith, Seth Low Professor of History; Director of the Center for Science and Society (Early Modern European)
Michael Stanislawski, Nathan J. Miller Professor of Jewish History (Modern European)
Alma Steingart, Assistant Professor (United States History)
Adam Tooze, Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of History (Modern European)
*Spring 2021 office hours details further below
Membership of UNDED changes from year to year. Because of the large number of students, the History Department does not assign individual advisors. Students may see any member of UNDED for advising. Students are also welcome to seek informal advising from any faculty member; however a student working with a non-UNDED advisor must still consult with UNDED regarding the yearly Plan of Study form. Please see the Undergraduate Handbook for more information.
Please consult the list below for the most current roster (The list is updated by the beginning of each Fall Term and each Spring Term. UNDED does not serve during Summer Term).
For any administrative issues concerning the major or concentration (such as submitting the signed Plan of Study form or transfer of credit application materials), please contact the Undergraduate Administrator. For additional information see the Undergraduate Handbook, list of courses, profiles of our faculty, and the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Plan of Study Form
The department requires that all students with a major and concentration complete Plan of Study Forms (POS) throughout their undergraduate career. On the form, students declare their specialization, plan their courses for the year (though these may change), and ensure that they are meeting the requirements of their program.
History majors and concentrators are required to complete a Plan of Study Form at least twice – once in Spring of their Junior Year, and once in the Fall of their Senior Year. (If students make any changes to their Plan of Study Form after Fall of Senior Year, they must submit an updated Plan of Study in the Spring of their Senior Year.)
Plan of Study form deadlines – approved by UNDED
October 1: Seniors
March 1: Juniors, Seniors with amended POS forms
These forms, which are required for graduation certification, should be signed by a member of the Undergraduate Education Committee (UNDED) and returned to the Undergraduate Administrator in 413 Fayerweather Hall*.
Seniors who fail to submit an UNDED approved POS can end up short of fulfilling requirements and may delay or prevent graduation!
*Please note: Due to COVID-19 we are currently accepting approved Plan of Study forms (PDF) via email (undergraduate-history@columbia.edu).
Spring 2021 UNDED Office Hours
Students are not assigned to individual advisors.
Zoom Spring ’21 office hour links found here (UNI login required)
If no link is provided, please contact advisor to make arrangements.
Neslihan Şenocak (DUS) | 324 FAY | Thur. 10:00am-12:00pm |
Adam Kosto (Chair) | 404 FAY | By appointment |
Christopher Brown | 422 FAY | Tue. 3:30-5:30pm |
Elisheva Carlebach | 505 FAY | By appointment |
Charly Coleman | 616 FAY | Wed. 3:00-5:00pm & by appt. |
Carol Gluck | 912 Int’l Affairs Bldg. | Mon. 3:00-5:00 & by appt. |
Hilary Hallet | 623 FAY | Wed. 2:30-4:30pm |
Martha Howell | 614 FAY | Tues. 4:00-5:00pm |
Karl Jacoby | 501 FAY | By appointment |
Matthew Jones | 514 FAY | Wed. 10:00am-12:00pm & by appt. |
Mark Mazower | 503 FAY | TBA |
Caterina Pizzigoni | 321 FAY | Tues. 12:00-2:00pm |
Camille Robcis | 506 Philosophy Hall | Tue. 1:00-3:00pm |
Samuel K. Roberts | 758 Shermerhorn Extension | Thur. 2:00-5:30pm Appt link |
Tunç Şen | 610 FAY | Tues. 8:00-9:00pm Wed. 12:00-1:00pm |
Pamela Smith | 605 FAY | By appointment |
Michael Stanislawski | 601 FAY | Mon. 2:00-4:00pm (except Jan 11) |
Alma Steingart | 515 FAY | By appointment |
Adam Tooze | 421 FAY | Mon. 4:15-6:00pm |
Degree Requirements
A member of UNDED must review and approve the specialization and breadth courses for both majors and concentrators by the junior year. In the senior year, a new form should be approved by UNDED if any changes have been made. Please see the Undergraduate Handbook for a more detailed explanation on selecting courses.
REQUIREMENTS | MAJORS | CONCENTRATORS |
---|---|---|
Courses in History | 9 courses (total) | 6 courses (total) |
Specialization | 4 courses | 3 courses |
Breadth Requirement | 3 courses outside specialization: 1 removed in time and 2 removed in space | 2 courses outside specialization: 1 removed in time and 1 removed in space |
Seminar Requirement | 2 seminars, at least 1 in specialization | None |
- Majors are required to complete 9 courses in history, 4 of which must be in a specialization defined in consultation with a member of UNDED. Majors must also fulfill a breadth requirement by taking 3 courses far removed from their specialization (one removed in time and two removed in space). Finally, majors must complete at least two seminars, one of which must be in the specialization.
- Effective February 2018, concentrators must take 6 history courses, including 3 in their specialization. Concentrators must also take two breadth courses: one removed in time and one removed in space. There is no seminar requirement for concentrators.
Course Information
Undergraduates are welcome to choose from a variety of courses offered each term by both the Columbia and Barnard History Departments. Each term, some courses are also cross-listed with History, meaning they originate from other departments but are approved to count towards the major or concentration.
Please note some cross-listed courses have sections which are not taught by History faculty or affiliates; these individual sections do not count towards the History degree, even if they appear listed in the Columbia College Bulletin. For example: some sections of AFCV CC1020, ASCE UN1359, ASCE UN1361, or LACV CC1020 have sections every term which are not taught by History or affiliated faculty members; therefore, those sections cannot be applied to the major or concentration. Please check the faculty page for a full list of core and affiliated faculty members.
Career Exploration
We care deeply about our students’ career prospects and are proud of their success on the job market while at and after Columbia. We have partnered with the Center for Career Education (CCE) to provide tailored advising for both jobs and internships:
Career Exploration and Preparation
•Academic major exploration resources, such as the “What can you do with a degree in History?” tipsheet
• Individual career counseling, workshops, speaker events, and online resources to help with career planning and internship/job applications, interviewing, networking, negotiations, and the decision to pursue graduate school
• Industry-specific resources covering career paths, employers, professional associations, internship/job sites, and research opportunities
Employer Connections/Jobs and Internships
• LionSHARE internship/jobs database – Set up a job agent to be notified daily of internship and full time opportunities
• CCE Internship Programs – Gain experience through CCE’s domestic and international internship programs
• Career Events – Participate in Fall, Spring and Start-up Career Fairs, Industry Showcases, employer site visits, and Professionals in Residence to meet employers and alumni
Alumni Connections
• Alumni Connections – including alumni dinner and discussion series, Columbia Career Connections on LinkedIn and networking events