History 499

2026-27 Pre-Registration: Closed

HIST 499 placements for the 2026-27 school year were emailed to students. If you didn't complete pre-registration and need to take HIST 499 because you plan to graduate during the 2026-27 school year, contact history@wwu.edu asap!

Can I Pre-register for HIST 499?

  • Do you have 90 credits or more?
  • Are you a History, History/Social Studies, or Latin American Studies Major?
  • Are you planning to graduate between fall 2026 & fall 2027?
  • Have you not taken the required HIST 499 capstone seminar?

If you can answer "yes" to all 4 questions above, you’re eligible to take HIST 499 during Fall 2026, Winter 2027, or Spring 2027. Contact history@wwu.edu for more information!

What is HIST 499 Pre-registration?

HIST 499, the capstone seminar, is required for all History and History/Social Studies majors. Each Spring, through the pre-registration process, the History department assigns students to a HIST 499 section for the following academic year. 

A survey is sent out so that students can select and rank their top three choices. Along with this data, students are placed into each section based on the total number of credit hours they have earned. Students may not get into their top choice, but every effort is made to place them in one of their top three.

Pre-Registration vs. Registration

Pre-registration only reserves a seat—it does not mean that a student is registered for the course. 

At the end of Spring, students will receive an email with their HIST 499 placement and information about next steps. 

A few weeks before registration begins, the history department will review students' prerequisites and grant overrides. 

Students will receive confirmation emails from the history department when it is time to officially register (through the regular process) for the course.

2026-27 HIST 499 Courses & Prerequisites

Requirements

Majors Declared 2024-25 or After 

In addition to one HIST 499 prerequisite course, students are also required to take HIST 301.

Majors Declared Before 2024-25 

Must take one HIST 499 prerequisite course. Student are encouraged but not required to take HIST 301.

What HIST 499 Prerequisites Do I Take?

Find prerequisite options for each HIST 499 section in the drop-down menus. Though many options may be listed, only a single prerequisite (plus HIST 301 for majors declared 2024-25 or after) is required for each HIST 499. 

The prerequisites must be completed (with at least a C- for History Majors or a C for History/Social Studies Majors) prior to the first day of the HIST 499 class.  

Not sure when you declared? Log onto Degreeworks and scroll down to "catalog year."

Fall 2026

U.S. and the World Since 1945

Dr. Daniel Chard / Tues. 2-4:50pm

HIST 301 offered Spring 2026:

  • Doing History: Colonialism Canada
  • Doing History: Global

Prerequisite offered Spring 2026:

  • HIST 346 - US & International Terrorism

Full Prerequisite List:

  • HIST 346 - US & International Terrorism
  • HIST 357 - The United States in the Cold War
  • HIST 362 - The Civil Rights - Black Power Era in U.S. History
  • HIST 382 - The US, Neoconservatism, & the Middle East
  • HIST 390 - US & International Terrorism
  • HIST 461 - US Urban History
  • HIST 463 - Topics in the History of Modern Crime, Policing, & Punishment
  • HIST 474 - US Latin American Relations

Though many options may be listed above, only a single prerequisite is required (plus HIST 301 for Majors Declared 2024-25 or After.)

Majors Declared 2024-25 or After 

In addition to one HIST 499 prerequisite course, students are also required to take HIST 301.

Majors Declared Before 2024-25 

Must take one HIST 499 prerequisite course. Student are encouraged but not required to take HIST 301.

Not sure when you declared? Log onto Degreeworks and scroll down to "catalog year."

Colonial America/Atlantic World

Dr. Jared Hardesty / Mon. 2-4:50pm

HIST 301 offered Spring 2026:

  • Doing History: Colonialism Canada
  • Doing History: Global

Prerequisites offered:

Spring 2026

  • HIST 386 - Southern Africa
  • HIST 402 - Theory and History

Summer 2026

  • HIST 364 - Civil War Era in Film

Full Prerequisite List:

  • 300- or 400- level Course with Prof. Neem
  • 300- or 400- level Course with Prof. Price
  • 300- or 400- level Course with Prof. Zimmerman
  • 300- or 400- level Course with Prof. Hardesty

Though many options may be listed above, only a single prerequisite is required (plus HIST 301 for Majors Declared 2024-25 or After.)

Majors Declared 2024-25 or After 

In addition to one HIST 499 prerequisite course, students are also required to take HIST 301.

Majors Declared Before 2024-25 

Must take one HIST 499 prerequisite course. Student are encouraged but not required to take HIST 301.

Not sure when you declared? Log onto Degreeworks and scroll down to "catalog year."

20th Century Sexualities

Dr. Josh Cerretti / Tues. 2-4:50pm

HIST 301 offered Spring 2026:

  • Doing History: Colonialism Canada
  • Doing History: Global

Prerequisites offered Spring 2026:

  • HIST 356 - Gender & History
  • HIST 365 - Sexuality in the US
  • HIST 391 - History of the PNW

Full Prerequisite List:

  • HIST 335 - Women & Gender in Judaism
  • HIST 351 - The Long Crisis
  • HIST 356 - Gender & History
  • HIST 365 - Sexuality in the US
  • HIST 369 - Women/Gender/Sexuality Africa
  • HIST 391 - History of the PNW
  • HIST 393 - Public History
  • HIST 461 - US Urban History

Though many options may be listed above, only a single prerequisite is required (plus HIST 301 for Majors Declared 2024-25 or After.)

Majors Declared 2024-25 or After 

In addition to one HIST 499 prerequisite course, students are also required to take HIST 301.

Majors Declared Before 2024-25 

Must take one HIST 499 prerequisite course. Student are encouraged but not required to take HIST 301.

Not sure when you declared? Log onto Degreeworks and scroll down to "catalog year."

Modern Middle East

Dr. Charles Anderson/ Tues. 2-4:50pm

HIST 301 offered Spring 2026:

  • Doing History: Colonialism Canada
  • Doing History: Global

Prerequisites offered Spring 2026:

  • HIST 383 - Modern Iraq
  • HIST 404 - Colonialism and the Middle East
  • HIST 490 - Pilgrimage & Travel in Islam

Full Prerequisite List:

  • HIST 382 - The US, Neoconservatism, and the Middle East
  • HIST 383 - Modern Iraq
  • HIST 384 - Palestine, Zionism, and Israel
  • HIST 390 - Islam in Africa
  • HIST 390 - Islam in the Indian Ocean World
  • HIST 404 - Colonialism and the Middle East
  • HIST 407 - History of the Israel/Palestinian Conflict
  • HIST 490 - Pilgrimage & Travel in Islam
  • HIST 490 - Revival Reform Islam

Though many options may be listed above, only a single prerequisite is required (plus HIST 301 for Majors Declared 2024-25 or After.)

Majors Declared 2024-25 or After 

In addition to one HIST 499 prerequisite course, students are also required to take HIST 301.

Majors Declared Before 2024-25 

Must take one HIST 499 prerequisite course. Student are encouraged but not required to take HIST 301.

Not sure when you declared? Log onto Degreeworks and scroll down to "catalog year."

Winter 2027

The American Revolution and Early American Republic

Dr. Johann Neem / Mon. 2:30-5:20pm

HIST 301 Options:

  • Spring 2026: Doing History: Colonialism Canada
  • Spring 2026: Doing History: Global
  • Fall 2026: Doing History: Africa
  • Fall 2026 Doing History: The Old South

Prerequisite offered Fall 2026:

  • HIST 366 - Early American Republic

(Scheduled 2026/27 courses are subject to change.)

Full Prerequisite List:

  • HIST 348 - American Slavery
  • HIST 349 - History of the US South
  • HIST 350 - American Colonial History
  • HIST 360 - Religion in Early America
  • HIST 363 - The American Revolution
  • HIST 366 - The Early American Republic
  • HIST 452 - US Intellectual Hist 1776-1900

Though many options may be listed above, only a single prerequisite is required (plus HIST 301 for Majors Declared 2024-25 or After.)

Majors Declared 2024-25 or After 

In addition to one HIST 499 prerequisite course, students are also required to take HIST 301.

Majors Declared Before 2024-25 

Must take one HIST 499 prerequisite course. Student are encouraged but not required to take HIST 301.

Not sure when you declared? Log onto Degreeworks and scroll down to "catalog year."

Cold War Americas

Dr. Ricardo Lopez-Pedreros/ Thurs. 2-4:50pm

HIST 301 Options:

  • Spring 2026: Doing History: Colonialism Canada
  • Spring 2026: Doing History: Global
  • Fall 2026: Doing History: Africa
  • Fall 2026 Doing History: The Old South

Prerequisites offered:

Spring 2026

  • HIST 327 - Soccer in Latin America
  • HIST 364 - Latin America at the Movies

Fall 2026

  • HIST 390 - History & Fiction
  • HIST 474 - U.S. Latin American Relations

(Scheduled 2026/27 courses are subject to change.)

Full Prerequisite List:

  • HIST 326 - Immigration and Ethnicity in the Americas
  • HIST 327 - Soccer in Latin America
  • HIST 364 - Latin America at the Movies
  • HIST 390 - History & Fiction
  • HIST 390 - History of Cocaine
  • HIST 390 - Student Movements in LA
  • HIST 390 - Revolutions in Latin America
  • HIST 411 - Latin America & WWII
  • HIST 474 - U.S. Latin American Relations
  • HIST 490 - Neoliberalism in the Americas

Though many options may be listed above, only a single prerequisite is required (plus HIST 301 for Majors Declared 2024-25 or After.)

Majors Declared 2024-25 or After 

In addition to one HIST 499 prerequisite course, students are also required to take HIST 301.

Majors Declared Before 2024-25 

Must take one HIST 499 prerequisite course. Student are encouraged but not required to take HIST 301.

Not sure when you declared? Log onto Degreeworks and scroll down to "catalog year."

The Ancient World 

Dr. Christine Johnston / Thurs. 3-5:50pm

HIST 301 Options:

  • Spring 2026: Doing History: Colonialism Canada
  • Spring 2026: Doing History: Global
  • Fall 2026: Doing History: Africa
  • Fall 2026 Doing History: The Old South

Prerequisites offered:

Spring 2026

  • HIST 390 - Ancient Mediterranean Seafaring

Fall 2026

  • HIST 310 - History of Ancient Mesopotamia

(Scheduled 2026/27 courses are subject to change.)

Full Prerequisite List:

  • HIST 310 - History of Ancient Mesopotamia
  • HIST 311 - History of Ancient Egypt
  • HIST 312 - History of Ancient Greece
  • HIST 313 - History of Ancient Rome
  • HIST 370 - Chinese History to 600 A.D.
  • HIST 390 - Ancient Mediterranean Seafaring
  • HIST 390 - Ancient Empires
  • HIST 390 - Ancient Roman Epic
  • HIST 412 - Ancient Rivers and Roads
  • HIST 413 - Ancient Mediterranean Economics
  • HIST 490 - Ancient Mediterranean in the Media
  • HIST 490 - Digital Methods in History
  • HIST 490 - Eroticism in Ancient and Medieval Europe

Though many options may be listed above, only a single prerequisite is required (plus HIST 301 for Majors Declared 2024-25 or After.)

Majors Declared 2024-25 or After 

In addition to one HIST 499 prerequisite course, students are also required to take HIST 301.

Majors Declared Before 2024-25 

Must take one HIST 499 prerequisite course. Student are encouraged but not required to take HIST 301.

Not sure when you declared? Log onto Degreeworks and scroll down to "catalog year."

Spring 2027

The Ancient World

Dr. Steven Garfinkle / Wed. 3-5:50pm

HIST 301 Options:

  • Spring 2026: Doing History: Colonialism Canada
  • Spring 2026: Doing History: Global
  • Fall 2026: Doing History: Africa
  • Fall 2026 Doing History: The Old South
  • Winter 2027: Doing History: The American Revolution
  • Winter 2027: Doing History: Indigenous Peoples

Prerequisites offered:

Spring 2026

  • HIST 390 - Ancient Mediterranean Seafaring

Fall 2026

  • HIST 310 - History of Ancient Mesopotamia

Winter 2027

  • HIST 313 - History of Ancient Rome

(Scheduled 2026/27 courses are subject to change.)

Full Prerequisite List:

  • HIST 310 - History of Ancient Mesopotamia
  • HIST 311 - History of Ancient Egypt
  • HIST 312 - History of Ancient Greece
  • HIST 313 - History of Ancient Rome
  • HIST 370 - Chinese History to 600 A.D.
  • HIST 390 - Ancient Mediterranean Seafaring
  • HIST 390 - Ancient Empires
  • HIST 390 - Ancient Roman Epic
  • HIST 412 - Ancient Rivers and Roads
  • HIST 413 - Ancient Mediterranean Economics
  • HIST 490 - Ancient Mediterranean in the Media
  • HIST 490 - Digital Methods in History
  • HIST 490 - Eroticism in Ancient and Medieval Europe

Though many options may be listed above, only a single prerequisite is required (plus HIST 301 for Majors Declared 2024-25 or After.)

Majors Declared 2024-25 or After 

In addition to one HIST 499 prerequisite course, students are also required to take HIST 301.

Majors Declared Before 2024-25 

Must take one HIST 499 prerequisite course. Student are encouraged but not required to take HIST 301.

Not sure when you declared? Log onto Degreeworks and scroll down to "catalog year."

Slavery and Emancipation

Dr. Hunter Price / Tues. 2-4:50pm

HIST 301 Options:

  • Spring 2026: Doing History: Colonialism Canada
  • Spring 2026: Doing History: Global
  • Fall 2026: Doing History: Africa
  • Fall 2026 Doing History: The Old South
  • Winter 2027: Doing History: The American Revolution
  • Winter 2027: Doing History: Indigenous Peoples

Prerequisite offered Fall 2026:

  • HIST 366 - The Early American Republic

(Scheduled 2026/27 courses are subject to change.)

Full Prerequisite List:

  • HIST 348 - American Slavery
  • HIST 349 - History of the U.S. South
  • HIST 350 - American Colonial History
  • HIST 351 - The Long Crisis
  • HIST 352 - U.S. Civil War & Reconstruction
  • HIST 360 - History of Religion in Early America
  • HIST 363 - The American Revolution
  • HIST 366 - The Early American Republic
  • HIST 385 - West Africa and the Atlantic World
  • HIST 468 - Borderlands and Frontiers of North America
  • HIST 469 - African Slavery in the Atlantic World, 1450-1804

Though many options may be listed above, only a single prerequisite is required (plus HIST 301 for Majors Declared 2024-25 or After.)

Majors Declared 2024-25 or After 

In addition to one HIST 499 prerequisite course, students are also required to take HIST 301.

Majors Declared Before 2024-25 

Must take one HIST 499 prerequisite course. Student are encouraged but not required to take HIST 301.

Not sure when you declared? Log onto Degreeworks and scroll down to "catalog year."

The Salish Sea

Dr. Madison Heslop / Thurs. 3-5:50pm

HIST 301 Options:

  • Spring 2026: Doing History: Colonialism Canada
  • Spring 2026: Doing History: Global
  • Fall 2026: Doing History: Africa
  • Fall 2026 Doing History: The Old South
  • Winter 2027: Doing History: The American Revolution
  • Winter 2027: Doing History: Indigenous Peoples

Prerequisites offered:

Spring 2026

  • HIST 391 - History of the Pacific Northwest
  • HIST 394 - History of the Salish Sea

Fall 2026

  • HIST 392 - Tribal Sovereignty and Washington History

Winter 2027

  • HIST 379 - Canadian American Relations
  • HIST 391 - History of the Pacific Northwest

(Scheduled 2026/27 courses are subject to change.)

Full Prerequisite List:

  • HIST 379 - Canadian American Relations
  • HIST 390 - History of the Salish Sea
  • HIST 391 - History of the Pacific Northwest
  • HIST 392 - Tribal Sovereignty and Washington History
  • HIST 394 - History of the Salish Sea
  • HIST 460 - American Environmental History
  • HIST 468 - Borderlands and Frontiers of North America
  • HIST 490 - Canadian Coastal Histories

Though many options may be listed above, only a single prerequisite is required (plus HIST 301 for Majors Declared 2024-25 or After.)

Majors Declared 2024-25 or After 

In addition to one HIST 499 prerequisite course, students are also required to take HIST 301.

Majors Declared Before 2024-25 

Must take one HIST 499 prerequisite course. Student are encouraged but not required to take HIST 301.

Not sure when you declared? Log onto Degreeworks and scroll down to "catalog year."

Pre-registration Survey

The 2026-27 HIST 499 Pre-Registration Survey is closed. 

If you did not complete pre-registration but need to take HIST 499 during the 2026-27 school year, please contact history@wwu.edu as soon as possible!

Upcoming Upper Division Courses

Not ready to take HIST 499 during the 2026-27 school year?

If you need more upper division courses or want to prepare for potential future HIST 499's, view the list of tentative 2026-27 upper division courses below.

Courses and other course details are subject to change.

Courses and other course details are subject to change.

Dept.CourseCRNCourseInstructorDaysStartEnd
HIST36430666Civil War Era in FilmHunter PriceOnlineOnlineOnline
        

Courses and other course details are subject to change.

Dept.CourseCRNTitleInstructorMaxDaysStartEndAttributes
HIST30143751Doing History: The Old SouthHunter Price20TR10:00 AM11:50 AMFTF
HIST30143756Doing History: AfricaSarah Zimmerman20TR12:00 PM1:50 PMFTF
HIST31041647History of Ancnt MesopotamiaSteven Garfinkle30MWF1:00 PM2:20 PMAFME,ANCT,FTF
HIST33142981History of the HolocaustStaff25MWF11:30 AM12:50 PMEUR,EUR2,FTF
HIST36643749Early American RepublicJohann Neem30MWF2:30 PM3:50 PMFTF,US,US1
HIST37343737Yokai in Japanese HistoryEmi Bushelle30TR2:00 PM3:50 PMASIA,CMB1,CMB2,FTF
HIST39043744History and FictionRicardo Lopez30TR2:00 PM3:50 PMCMB2,FTF,US,US2,WHEM
HIST39043747Islam in the Indian Ocean WrldJonathan Miran10TR2:00 PM3:50 PMFTF
HIST39043754Topics in Medieval HistoryStaff20MWF10:00 AM11:20 AMFTF
HIST39242985Tribal Sov & WA HistMichael Hughes30TR12:00 PM1:50 PMFTF,US
HIST47442987U.S. Latin American RelationsPedro Cameselle10TR12:00 PM1:50 PMCMB2,FTF,US,US2,WHEM
HIST49042973Canadian History: True CrimeMadison Heslop10MWF1:00 PM2:20 PMFTF,WHEM
HIST49043755Advanced Topics: Medieval HistStaff15TR10:00 AM11:50 AMFTF

Courses and other course details are subject to change.

Dept.CourseCRNTitleInstructorMaxDaysStartEndAttributes
HIST30112529Doing History: Amer RevolutionJohann Neem20MWF10:00 AM11:20 AMFTF
HIST30113580Doing Hist: Indigenous PeoplesMichael Hughes20TR12:00 PM1:50 PMFTF
HIST31311904History of Ancient RomeSteven Garfinkle30MWF1:00 PM2:20 PMANCT,EUR,FTF
HIST31613582Europe Mid Ages 1050-1450Staff30TR2:00 PM3:50 PMEUR,EUR1,FTF
HIST37212855Chinese History, 1800-presentRoger R. Thompson30TR10:00 AM11:50 AMASIA,CMB2,FTF
HIST37413648Premodern Japanese HistBreann Goosmann30TR12:00 PM1:50 PMASIA,CMB1,CMB2,FTF
HIST37912832Canadian American RelationsMadison Heslop25MWF10:00 AM11:20 AMCMB2,FTF,US,US2,WHEM
HIST38412340Palestine, Zionism, and IsraelCharles Anderson30MWF1:00 PM2:20 PMAFME,CMB2,FTF
HIST38713583Africa since the 1960sSarah Zimmerman30MWF2:30 PM3:50 PMAFME,CMB2,FTF
HIST39013565US & Globalizatn 1989-presentDaniel Chard30MWF2:30 PM3:50 PMFTF,US,US2
HIST39013570Islam & Muslim Society: AfricaJonathan Miran10TR2:00 PM3:50 PMFTF
HIST39013584Topics in Jewish HistoryStaff20MWF11:30 AM12:50 PMFTF
HIST39113585History of Pacific NorthwestJennifer Seltz30TR12:00 PM1:50 PMFTF,US
HIST40313568Digital Methods in HistoryChristine Johnston10TR12:00 PM1:50 PMFTF
HIST40812863World War II: The European WarRoger R. Thompson15TR2:00 PM3:50 PMEUR,EUR2,FTF,US,US2
HIST49013564Decol India: Hist, Myth & MeanDharitri Bhattacharjee10TR2:00 PM4:50 PMFTF
HIST49013567Respectable Citizens & RadicalHolly Folk5TR12:00 PM1:50 PMFTF
HIST49013588Advanced Topics: Jewish HistStaff15TR10:00 AM11:50 AMFTF

Courses and other course details are subject to change.

Dept.CourseCRNTitleInstructorMaxDaysStartEndAttributes
HIST30123229Doing History: GlobalSusan Costanzo20TR12:00 PM1:50 PMFTF
HIST30123486Doing History: Energy CrisisJennifer Seltz20MWF10:00 AM11:20 AMFTF
HIST31123487History of Ancnt EgyptChristine Johnston30TR12:00 PM1:50 PMAFME,ANCT,FTF
HIST32023488War in the Middle AgesStaff30MWF1:00 PM2:20 PMEUR,EUR1,FTF
HIST32722263Soccer in Latin AmericaPedro Cameselle30TR2:00 PM3:50 PMCMB2,FTF,WHEM
HIST35223490Civil War & ReconstructionHunter Price30TR10:00 AM11:50 AMFTF,US,US2
HIST36422753Latin America at the MoviesRicardo Lopez30MWF11:30 AM12:50 PMCMB2,FTF,US,US2,WHEM
HIST38322756Modern IraqCharles Anderson30TR2:00 PM3:50 PMAFME,CMB2,FTF
HIST39023493Lat Am Stdnt Movemnts & Pol ChPedro Cameselle30TR10:00 AM11:50 AMCMB2,FTF,WHEM
HIST39023495Topics in Jewish HistoryStaff30MWF2:30 PM3:50 PMFTF
HIST39123496History of Pacific NorthwestDaniel Chard30TR10:00 AM11:50 AMFTF,US
HIST39323499Introduction to Public HistoryJosh Cerretti30TR2:00 PM3:50 PMFTF,US,US1,US2
HIST39422734History of the Salish SeaMadison Heslop25TR12:00 PM1:50 PMFTF,US,US2,WHEM
HIST40723518Hist Israeli/Palest ConflictCharles Anderson10TR10:00 AM11:50 AMAFME,CMB2,FTF
HIST49023500Histories of NeoliberalismRicardo Lopez15MWF2:30 PM4:50 PMCMB2,FTF,US,US2,WHEM
HIST49023504Pilgrimage & Travel in IslamJonathan Miran5TR2:00 PM3:50 PMFTF
HIST49023510Boxer WarRoger R. Thompson15TR2:00 PM3:50 PMASIA,FTF
HIST49023512Public Hist: Memory in AfricaSarah Zimmerman15TR12:00 PM1:50 PMAFME,CMB2,FTF