The History Department offers a wide variety of chronological, geographical, and thematic courses that enhance individuals’ understanding of themselves and the contemporary world by expanding their experience to include the experiences of other peoples, both past and present. These courses range from the ancient and medieval periods to the modern era, cover most geographical regions of the globe, and allow topical specialties ranging from women’s history to environmental history to digital and spatial history to military history.
Major in History
The History major requires at least 12 three-credit courses in History. For a balanced understanding of the subject, majors must complete courses from each of the following focus areas:
U.S. history
European history
The history of other regions of the world (e.g., Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Canada) or history courses with a transnational focus.
Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a BA in history will have learned to research, analyze, synthesize, and communicate accurate information about the past and its meanings. Specifically, students will acquire the skills to:
Discover and sift through information and distinguish between fact and myth;
Evaluate written or material evidence, closely examine evidence within a historical context, and understand change over time;
Organize events and ideas chronologically and explain historical trends;
Recognize and apply concepts and principles in the discipline of history;
Communicate, both verbally and orally, in an effective manner.
Employment
History graduates find employment in a wide range of occupations. Traditionally they have gone into education careers in primary and secondary schools and, with appropriate graduate-level training, in colleges and universities. More recently, increasing numbers of history graduates find their way into private, nonprofit as well as public organizations and agencies, such as museums, archives and libraries, research and service institutions, legislative bodies, and planning agencies. Others find career opportunities in the private sector, in fields such as publishing, journalism, broadcasting, business, and law; in fact, history is an ideal pre-law major.
