The purpose of history as a discipline is to examine all aspects of civilization, particularly humanity as the maker of institutions. Humanity is the creative force that has managed to survive and even thrive as a result of its ability to adapt itself and its institutions to changing circumstances. History is accordingly concerned with humanity’s ideas about itself and the social, economic, political, intellectual, aesthetic, and religious institutions that it creates to give substance to its beliefs. This study of humanity relative to time provides students with the background they need to understand themselves and their culture. History 200W should be taken during the sophomore year, since the skills that form the core of this course are essential to success in all upper-level work in this discipline; transfer students should take it in their first spring semester. Additionally, HIST 255 and 256 should also be taken in the sophomore year (for transfer students, in their first year) to round out the common core all history majors will have at the beginning of their program, and provide a broad frame work for all subsequent courses. HIST 402W should be taken in the fall semester of the senior year by all students.