History Department

A history degree prepares students for a wide range of careers. It teaches students to read widely, to marshal disparate materials, organize them rationally, think about them analytically, and interpret them in clear, persuasive writing. There is ample opportunity for close faculty-student interaction and for students to develop their ability to work independently. Professors teach all courses; there are no teaching assistants.

The History Department is vitally involved in all levels of the College curriculum. The department is large enough to offer a varied and rich selection of offerings to students taking courses as majors or as electives. History is an important element of the core curriculum and the department is responsible for at least half of the required sophomore research seminars required for graduation.

History at Union offers a concentration in one of five fields: Africa, East Asia, Europe, Latin America, or the United States. To complete the major students take at least 12 courses in history, including a junior seminar and a two-term senior project. The two-term senior project involves independent research under the individual direction of a professor in the department, normally resulting in a written thesis, but occasionally in movies, or other innovative forms of presentation. Students draw on the resources of the well-equipped Schaffer Library that houses collections dating back over two centuries.