Department of History

History is the study of change and continuity in human society over time. Historians develop skills in evaluating evidence, organizing information, clarifying and structuring concepts, and writing narratives and expositions. Majoring in history is an excellent way to prepare for a career in teaching, research, library and information sciences, government service, journalism, law, or business. Those who plan to pursue a career as professional historians will want to continue their education and obtain the MA and PhD degrees.

The faculty members in the Department of History are active researchers in the fields of Asian, Pacific and Hawaii histories, the Americas, Europe, and world history. As historians, they provide students with critical thinking skills in information processing, historical analysis, and writing, with an emphasis on proficiency in reading and interpreting primary and secondary historical sources. Nine History faculty members have won the Regents’ Medal for Teaching. Four have earned the President’s Citation for Meritorious Teaching. One has earned the Regents' Medal for Research. There are about 150 majors, over 60 graduate students and 30 full-time faculty members. The Department offers a full range of courses in American, Asian, European, Pacific, Hawaii, and World history. Degree programs are available at the B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. levels.

The Department of History is one of the nine departments of the College of Arts and Humanities.