Majors & Minors

History

The Southwestern History program provides students with a strong global perspective and a solid grounding in the methods and fields of history, while also encouraging interdisciplinary connections.

Contact

Jethro Hernández Berrones

Jethro Hernández Berrones

Assistant Professor of History & Chair

Jethro Hernández Berrones

Jethro Hernández Berrones

Assistant Professor of History & Chair

(Credit: Southwestern University)

The Southwestern History program provides our students with:

  • A global approach. We place the study of history in its global context, exploring the essential inter-connections and entanglements that tie regions of the world together, alongside their specific regional histories. We have faculty with expertise in Europe, Latin America, East Asia (China and Japan), Africa, the U.S., the Atlantic World, and the Mediterranean world (including North Africa).
  • Interdisciplinary connections. We connect the discipline of history with many interdisciplinary interests, including the natural sciences, feminist studies, international studies, art, race/ethnicity, environmental studies, and social justice.
  • Diverse interests and approaches. Members of our faculty work on issues of politics, economics, social processes, culture, and intellectual developments. They also have specific interests in histories of race, empire, gender, rights, science, religion, and the environment.
  • Research opportunities for students. Our senior Capstone enables students to research and write an original piece of historical scholarship. Students may also apply for departmental honors, which includes an even more substantial individual research project.
  • Lifelong skills. We help prepare students to explore the human condition in all its wonders, even as we provide them with reading, writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills essential for careers in such fields as law, medicine, education, journalism, and business, as well as in nonprofit organizations (including museums and libraries) and in the public sector.
How do we accomplish these goals?

Historians learn to appreciate both the limits and the possibilities of our own age by poring over the stories of those who have come before us, piecing together the powerful elements of social movements and scientific innovation, and developing an understanding for how modern cultures and societies evolved out of the confluence of their past conditions.

Beginning with introductory courses in world history and area studies, the History curriculum  prepares students for advanced courses on a range of topics, themes, and methods of history, and for historical research experience. The Department strongly encourages students to pursue off-campus international, intercultural, and academic internship experiences as a part of their curriculum, in order to experience the power of exploring another culture and its history firsthand.  

With their understanding of the past and the historical insight gained through their studies, History students typically go on to careers in all levels of education and government, as well as in law, social service, communications, museum and archival work, and business.



AFTER SOUTHWESTERN

Featured Alumni Stories

An Algerian flag flies over a crowd in Paris. Criezis says she was “obsessed with” the Algerian war for independence while studying abroad in France and for her capstone projects at Southwestern.

Countering Terrorism through Research

Meili Criezis ’17 publishes scholarship about extremist rhetoric, terrorist propaganda, and political violence.

Read Full Story
Meredith Murphy ’16

Training for a Thoughtful Future

History and political science double major Meredith Murphy ’16 reflects on the many benefits of a liberal-arts education.

Read Full Story
Julia Byrom Whatley ’44

A Life Well Lived

Julia Byrom Whatley ’44 reflects on Southwestern in the World War II era, her military service, and her 30-year teaching career.

Read Full Story

EXPLORE SOUTHWESTERN

History News

A Treasury of Pirate Facts

Get hooked on these bootylicious facts!

READ FULL STORY
Gilby graduated from Southwestern University on May 8, 2021.

Rare Moments

Transfer student and Sumners Scholar Emily Gilby ’21 shares her experiences working on political campaigns and as a legislative aide.

READ FULL STORY
Lizzie Barry '21

And Then, and then: Making The Most Out of SU

READ FULL STORY