Course offerings in history are intended to familiarize students with both the American and Western heritage, as well as with some aspects of the history of the non-Western world. The study of history is presented as a means of integrating college experiences and developing certain perceptual and analytical skills. Students are exposed to a broad range of modern historical methodologies, making connections between history and many other academic disciplines. The study of history is aimed at students who are motivated by diverse goals. It offers excellent preparation for careers in law, civil service, journalism, business, foreign service, museum work, and archives, and for graduate study, including law school. The History Department offers a major in history and one in history and social science. The history major offers students a broad choice of courses that emphasize high-level analytical skills and historical inquiry. It introduces students to a wide range of methodologies, including oral history, intellectual history, social history, cultural history, and gender history. The major requirements, although flexible, are designed to ensure that all students will gain some knowledge of both U.S. and non-U.S. history beyond the introductory level. They also ensure that every student majoring in history will confront a diversity of historical interpretations and practice designing and conducting historical research. The history and social science major is designed for students who plan to teach history and/or social studies at the secondary level. It meets all content requirements for teacher certification in social studies in Virginia. In addition to history, areas of study include government, civics, international studies, economics, and geography. This major also emphasizes historical interpretation and offers students opportunities to pursue independent historical research.