Courses offered by the History program encourage synthesis of many academic disciplines, weaving together the politics, philosophies, practices, and peoples of the past. Students delve deeply into the complex factors affecting trends of historical change, and come to appreciate the diversity of human experience across time and space. Through this holistic approach, students can contextualize and analyze the world as we know it, and develop ideas of the future we want. Willamette's History Department possesses a faculty of dedicated teacher-scholars recognized as outstanding in their fields, teaching a wide range of subject areas. Faculty specialties include African, Ancient, Asian, Latin American, Legal, Medieval, and Women and Gender History. Furthermore, many history majors choose second majors or minors in related fields, such as American Ethnic Studies, Archeology, Asian Studies, Sociology, International Studies, and Women and Gender Studies. These minors complement and enrich the History Major and allow for a fuller understanding and appreciation of the discipline. Students of the program have access to the History Department's unique opportunities for civic engagement and global exploration. From Study Abroad programs across the globe, to internships at agencies such as the Oregon State Capitol, Zena Farm and Forest, Chemawa Indian School, and the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, students are able to take their education into the world.
Ultimately, history students are encouraged to plan and realize educational paths of their own making, creating an educational experience that they carry with them throughout their lives. From lawyers and CEOs to librarians and researchers, our History Alumni flourish in their fields.
The program in History is designed to provide a firm foundation in the histories of Western civilization, American society and culture, and East Asian and African cultures. The department is especially strong in social, cultural and intellectual history and emphasizes an understanding of the nature of historical inquiry, an exposure to the variety of historical interpretations and an ability to think historically, as this contributes to an understanding of human experience, personal self-awareness and global citizenship.
The breadth of history and its interrelatedness with other disciplines make the study of history a significant part of a liberal arts education. The ability to gather evidence that pertains to a problem, to analyze this material critically, and to present an interpretive argument about it cogently and succinctly is also valuable background for most professional careers. Willamette history majors gravitate to graduate study in the discipline, in law and in education, as well as to government service, business and the church. It is noteworthy that recent history majors have done very well in gaining admission to graduate schools in history and to graduate programs in law, business administration and theology.
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