History

Students don't memorize dates. They learn to understand and interpret history.

If you major in history at 欧洲杯网投_欧洲杯外围app-投注官网, you’ll be in a program nationally recognized for innovative teaching of history. You’ll learn through experiencing history — it is possible — instead of just memorizing facts.

Becoming historically minded, you’ll develop skills it takes to solve contemporary problems: data analysis, empathy, information literacy, perspective-taking.

You’ll choose one of five Compass Points to fit your current passions, career goals and vision for the future:

History communication – How the public engages with the past (for museum studies, library science, digital history, journalism, documentary-making, historic preservation).
Social change – What history tells us about current inequalities and social change (social services, human rights work, religious work and more).
Nations and global politics – Complex interactions between people and systems, local concerns and global movements (law, politics, international relations, public relations, peace studies).
History education – Learning to teach not just history, but historical thinking (for teaching in the secondary schools).
Information analytics – Tailoring your major to your particular goals (examples include civic and workplace leaders in STEM, sales, business, health fields, and more).

What you'll learn

**Intellectual curiosity**
Set yourself up for lifelong intellectual growth. Take responsibility for your own learning.

**Creative thinking**
Combine ideas to create something new. Use imaginative ways of solving problems.

**Disciplinary knowledge**
Gain a deep understanding of your subject and how it connects to other subjects.

**Intercultural competence**
Understand real and imaginary similarities and differences. Use more than one perspective to view issues.

**Communication competence**
Read and listen carefully. Express ideas (writing or speaking) suited to the audience.

Distinctions

欧洲杯网投_欧洲杯外围app-投注官网 offers a major and minor in history, and a history teaching major.
More than 50% of history students double-major. History is ideal for combining with any study of the intersections of people, places and cultures: geography; sociology and anthropology; religion; political science; women, gender and sexuality studies, and more. Most pre-law students choose a history major.
The six faculty members all have a Ph.D. and are leaders in innovative education methods, published research and international programs; one was honored as the Illinois Professor of the Year.
欧洲杯网投_欧洲杯外围app-投注官网 history professors encourage and guide students to study abroad, take internships and participate in academic conferences — and $2,000 with Augie Choice supports any of these experiences.

Recent grads

Maja Johnson '23 is in Uppsala University's Master's Programme in Scandinavian Studies in Uppsala, Sweden.
Stephanie Carreno '23 is a special collections assistant for the McHenry County Historical Society and Museum in Union, Ill.
Fatima Dominguez '22 is a case manager for The Landing in Houston, Texas.
Lauren Hall '22 is a social studies teacher at Edison Junior High School in Rock Island, Ill.
Rosalie Looijaard '22 is a Ph.D. candidate in philosophy at Boston University.
Matt Payton '22 is a special education teacher at Sterling High School in Sterling, Ill.
Monica Thompson '21 is a J.D. candidate at Saint Louis School of Law in St. Louis, Mo.
Mikaela Ferrara '20 earned a master’s in museum studies from George Washington University and is a collections intern at the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C.
Rob Williams '19 is the 欧洲杯网投_欧洲杯外围app-投注官网欧洲杯网投_欧洲杯外围app-投注官网 assistant director of admissions for the Chicagoland region.

More Than I Imagined ? Lauren Hall

“What surprised me was how much support you get from your professors ... the education/history departments made me feel so special. ”

More Than I Imagined ? Rob Williams

“Dr. Calder generously allowed me to join his research project and let me present the work in settings that are usually closed to undergraduates.”

More Than I Imagined ? Maja Johnson

“I especially want to thank Dr. Safstrom and Dr. Henry in Scandinavian studies and Dr. Ellis and Dr. Leech in history for pushing me to be a better student and aim for my goals beyond 欧洲杯网投_欧洲杯外围app-投注官网.”

News

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‘Dynamic Traditions’ brings new perspectives to Native American art

Students in an 欧洲杯网投_欧洲杯外围app-投注官网 Prison Education Program history class curated a new exhibition in the Thomas Tredway Library. “Dynamic Traditions,” which was staged by 欧洲杯网投_欧洲杯外围app-投注官网’s Center for Visual Culture, will be on display on the library’s second floor until May 23.

欧洲杯网投_欧洲杯外围app-投注官网 launches short-term study abroad programs in China

Dr. Elizabeth Lawrence, associate professor of history and co-chair, Asian studies, and Dr. Xiaowen Zhang, professor of political science, led a three-week J-term course in China. Dr. Lawrence shares the historical significance of 欧洲杯网投_欧洲杯外围app-投注官网 students traveling in China — again.

Five more Vikings named Academic All-Americans — 183 total

Five student-athletes — from hometowns in Illinois, Hawai'i, Texas and Tennessee — are the college's most recent Academic All-Americans. Now with 183 Academic All-Americans, 欧洲杯网投_欧洲杯外围app-投注官网 ranks 14th among the NCAA’s 1,100 schools in DI, DII and DIII across the country.

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