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History

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

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If you major in history at Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø, you¡¯ll be in a program nationally recognized for innovative teaching of history. You¡¯ll learn through experiencing history ¡ª it is possible ¡ª 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 ¨C How the public engages with the past (for museum studies, library science, digital history, journalism, documentary-making, historic preservation).
  • Social change ¨C What history tells us about current inequalities and social change (social services, human rights work, religious work and more).
  • Nations and global politics ¨C Complex interactions between people and systems, local concerns and global movements (law, politics, international relations, public relations, peace studies).
  • History education ¨C Learning to teach not just history, but historical thinking (for teaching in the secondary schools).
  • Information analytics ¨C Tailoring your major to your particular goals (examples include civic and workplace leaders in STEM, sales, business, health fields, and more).

Distinctions

  • Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø 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.
  • Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø history professors encourage and guide students to study abroad, take internships and participate in academic conferences ¡ª 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 Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø assistant director of admissions for the Chicagoland region.
Lauren Hall
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. ”
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Rob Williams
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.”
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Maja Johnson
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 Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø.”
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lendol calder

National spotlight shines on Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø history professor

Dr. Lendol Calder is no stranger to awards and honors, being named Illinois Professor of the Year in 2010. And now he's a finalist for Baylor University's Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching, the top teaching prize in the nation.

Pottery

¡®Dynamic Traditions¡¯ brings new perspectives to Native American art

Students in an Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Prison Education Program history class curated a new exhibition in the Thomas Tredway Library. ¡°Dynamic Traditions,¡± which was staged by Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s Center for Visual Culture, will be on display on the library¡¯s second floor until May 23.

China J-Term

Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø 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 Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø students traveling in China  ¡ª again.