Advising

The History Department does not assign advisors to its majors and minors. Instead, we have five professors who, between them, hold drop-in hours every weekday during term time—see names, times, and locations below. These faculty advisors can help you pick classes, plot your educational trajectory, find research opportunities, think through any problems you're encountering and make sure you're completing all the requirements of your major or minor. They can also sign major/minor declaration forms and major/minor worksheets—all of which should then be submitted to the department’s Undergraduate Coordinator. (Forms here.)

While our advisors are on call every afternoon, they aren't the only people you can turn to for advice. We hope that, as you take courses, you'll find that some of your teachers become mentors, who can help you think through the problems that you care about, introduce you to new ideas, and support your growth as an intellectual. A good way to build those relationships is to go to the office hours of the teachers you'd like to get to know better. You might talk about course material, ask for reading recommendations, tell them about your interests and get advice on how to pursue them. When they're not on leave, faculty members hold office hours regularly, which are listed here.

For complicated questions—such as exceptions to the major and minor requirements, transfer credits, and study abroad—students should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

This year, the DUS is Brett Gadsden, and his contact details are below.

Director of Undergraduate Studies | Brett Gadsden |
Phone number: 847-467-0872
Office location: Harris 209
brett.gadsden@northwestern.edu

spring 2022 Advising DRop-in hours

Faculty  and TA office Hours for your courses 

Procedures

Declaration of Major and Minor

Visit one of the office hour sessions above. Prior to that meeting, complete and send a declaration form and worksheet to the advisor via email. 

Petition to Graduate

1. Meet with an advisor above to have your history major/minor worksheet  reviewed. Send them the updated worksheet prior to your meeting. (You can request what I have on file for you also)
2. Your advisor will discuss your program completion plan, sign the history major/minor worksheet, and email it to you.
3. Complete and submit the online Petition to Graduate form, being sure to upload your signed history worksheet to it. If there is no worksheet attached, it will be rejected.
4. The department will then approve the online petition.

Undergraduate Forms