<p>I’m going to be a freshman at UA this fall and a likely History major. I want to take one history class fall semester because I love History and I want to get a feel for the UA History department (which I hear is pretty good and tough). </p>
<p>I am not sure which course I should take, given that several of the course options are one-half of the broader subject (History of the Christian Church to 1500 is a 3-hour class offered in the fall semester while History of the Christan Church 1500-present is a 3-hour class offered in the spring semester). </p>
<p>I will be receiving credit for both AP U.S. History (made a 5 on the exam) and AP European History (will receive score in July) from high school, so I will be receving 12 hours of credit for HY 101, 102, 203, and 204. I am looking to take a 200-level history course.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>HY 225: History of Alabama to 1865 (3 hrs)
I think this would be a really fun course because I have always enjoyed Alabama history and politics ever since my Alabama History class in 4th grade. </p></li>
<li><p>HY 235: History of the Christian Church to 1500 (3 hrs)
This course looks really interesting, texts use include two different course books and the Bible. It also would fulfill the required additional 3 hours of credit for a course in European history. However, it seems to be a pretty intensive course.</p></li>
<li><p>HY 237: Colonial Latin America (3 hrs)
Probably the least appealing option, but still considering it.</p></li>
<li><p>HY 247: History of England to 1688
I think I would enjoy this course. I think English history is very interesting and I really enjoyed studying England in AP Euro. Also, this course would fulfill the European history course requirement.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Any advice? Suggestions? Given the rigor of the UA History Department, I don’t think I want to attempt anything higher than a 200-level course my first semester.</p>
<p>Gosh…sounds like soooo much fun…I’m jealous!!! LOL</p>
<p>Here’s what I would do.</p>
<p>I would look to see who is teaching each class. Then I’d look at Ratemyprofessors. But, I would only concern myself with those profs who got many ratings - because those would be more accurate. If only a few ratings are listed, and they’re negative, then those could just be from lazy students who are mad.</p>
<p>So, after doing that, I’d try to find some profs that get reviews like…super interesting…makes learning fun…interesting lectures…fair tests…reasonable homework…etc…</p>
<p>After that…you should be able to narrow your list and then choose by what fits best with your schedule.</p>
<p>Come back and tell us what you find out. :)</p>
<p>BTW…if you’re interested in law school…the Alabama history is probably a good one to take. But, the Christian history course sounds interesting, too. And, of course, much of American law has British origins…so that would be a good class, too.</p>
<p>The Colonial Latin America class is taught by Dr. Bunker. He did a lecture for my son’s Alabama Action: Costa Rica class this spring, and my son said that he is outstanding.</p>
<p>So I checked out ratemyprofessors.org and Bunker had rave reviews from each of the students who reviewed his classes. Combined with a CC-user endorsement and the other good things I’ve heard about his teaching, Colonial Latin America is looking like a much better option. I’m going to have England to 1688 as my back-up. </p>
<p>Plus, I would probably have to take Colonial Latin America eventually because History majors are required to receive credit in courses concentrating on either Latin American or Asian History. I am actually interested in Latin American history and could possibly study abroad there. So I am going to aim for HY 237 w/ Steven Bunker. My Bama Bound session begins tomorrow so hopefully I will be able to fit it in my schedule!</p>
<p>The good thing is that I will probably end up taking History of Alabama and English History and maybe even History of the Christian Church at some point. I’m such a history buff I really would take every History class offered at UA if I could!</p>
<p>AlabamaGuy: My D is planning on a history major also, and has the same AP credits as you. The only problem with those 200 level classes that you’ve mentioned is that I believe they are already full. I know the British History one is because D had that penciled in.</p>
<p>While there are many classes that have seats put aside & released for Bama Bound, the upper level classes have been open to upperclassmen since March. Good luck.</p>
<p>BTW, D has met Dr. Bunker twice & he is wonderful :)</p>
<p>Just checked & the Christian Church class has plenty of seats; the History of England class has one seat (and that just happened because it wasn’t available the other day) the other two are full at 40.</p>
<p>Thanks for pointing that out, RobD. I guess that is one of the disadvantages of having freshman status. My Bama Bound is tomorrow and I am going to try to get one of the 200-level history classes, if not I’ll have a back-up plan.</p>
<p>Alabamaguy2010: Since it sounds like you will have some AP credit going into Alabama, you will have a bit of an easier time registering the second semester and should have a chance to take an upper level history class.</p>
<p>It actually was worse when my older son was an incoming freshmen. Honors didn’t hold back any of their seats for fun classes, so all were full. </p>
<p>However, once he had a higher priority in the fall to register for spring, he got all of his choices.</p>