<p>Hey all, just looking for input on a history major. I have no idea what to expect in a History major in terms of workload, memorization, studying, written assignments/works, and exams. </p>
<p>Just hoping I can get some insight on those things and how challenging it would be to be a 'premed' and history major. </p>
<p>Yeah, lots of papers. In one of my upper level history courses this semester we have to write three ten-page papers (and have no exams, two of the papers serve as the midterm/final). For the midterm/final papers, the professor assigns a specific question that you have to write about, for the other one we had to propose a topic (relating to the course). </p>
<p>Umm some of my other classes have a couple of short papers where the professor assigns the question along with the 10-page research, you pick your topic paper, as well as a midterm and final. It depends on the professor and the class. </p>
<p>Lots of reading, especially for the upper level classes, in my seminar this semester we have around 100-150 pages of reading a week. Depending on the class you can get away with not reading or just skimming the reading.</p>
<p>For exam format, it kind of varies depending on the professor. In one of my classes, there 4-6 term identifications that you have to write a paragraph answer to along with an essay. In another one the exams are all matching, and then we write two 2-3 pages essay ahead of time to turn in. In my other one that has exams, he puts down quotes from primary source documents and you have to analyze them, plus an essay. Some professors give you options for essay questions, others have one that you have to answer.</p>
<p>In some classes, the professor just mostly lectures and tries to spark some discussion, in others it’s basically no lecture and all discussion.</p>
<p>It really depends on the specific professor and class.</p>