Department of History

Kenley (Chair), Brown, Schields, Newsome, Nolt, Strikwerda

For more information, please visit the Department’s website or check your course syllabi, which are available through the course instructor or at the High Library.

The study of history is a valuable component of a liberal arts education as it emphasizes critical thinking, clear writing, and cultural awareness. Historians utilize different approaches to analyzing texts, they work with various types of evidence, and they conceptualize the past and pass on that information. They come to appreciate the richness in the human experience through both time (historical eras) and space (geographic regions).

The Department’s program has particular strengths in United States, European, and Asian history. It is designed to prepare students for further study in a variety of disciplines, including history, archaeology, education, law, library science, museum studies, and government.

Majors Offered

The Department offers a major in History and participates in the Social Studies Education Program that prepares students to teach in secondary schools.

Combinations with other programs that allow the student to major in history and to pursue training for other careers are possible. For example, a student may major in history and also take a recommended program of courses in such disciplines as business, political science, or legal studies.

Minors Offered

The Department offers a History minor .

Honors in the Discipline

The Department of History participates in the College Honors in the Discipline Program. For guidelines, students should consult the Department Chair.