The Department of History provides opportunities for students to study the wisdom the past affords and learn skills in critical thinking, effective communication and responsible citizenship that can be applied to present-day academic and professional pursuits. The curriculum fully engages students in historical inquiry, where they compare methods and perspectives and examine specific historical problems. Courses range in scope from ancient to modern, including the history of the New South. Students will be able to communicate a detailed knowledge of specific pre-modern European, modern European and American historical eras and fields. They also earn proficiency in historical methodology and both written and oral historical argumentation. Historians think and write clearly, organize and interpret evidence, and confront complex issues in informed, insightful, and ethically alert ways, all of which are excellent preparation for leadership and for a great variety of callings. A major in History consists of 33 hours. Majors must take an upper level course in each of the three areas: Pre-Modern Europe, Modern Europe, and U.S. history.

History provides knowledge and skills for an appropriate background for graduate and professional school and many kinds of non-academic employment. Opportunities based on alumni include: Law school Medical school Graduate school Teaching in secondary school Banking and business Documentary film production U.S. Army officer corps Politics Historic preservation Archaeology Land development