The study of History promotes individual and collective self-understanding by examining the record of the past. It develops a way of thinking that enables students to identify trends and relations of human existence and to appreciate both the limits and the possibilities of our own age.

The History program provides students with a global perspective and a solid grounding in the methods and fields of history, while also encouraging interdisciplinary connections. The History major provides students not with a random collection of courses, but with a program that is concerned with finding patterns and connections. Beginning with introductory courses, our major prepares students for advanced courses on topics, themes, and methods of history, and for research experience. With their understanding of the past and their historical mindedness, History students go on to careers in all levels of education and government, in law, social service, communications, museum and archival work, and business.