History

Department: History-Geography-Classics
Department Chair: Jack Flynn
Program Option: B.A.

Majoring in history at St. Kate’s will teach you critical thinking, writing and research skills, and provide a base of knowledge that will broaden your understanding of the world and the human condition. As a history student, you will not only become culturally literate in the best liberal arts tradition, you also will acquire important practical skills that will serve you well in a broad range of professions and in your daily life.

St. Kate’s history major will acquaint you with both Western heritage and Asian traditions. Women’s history is interwoven throughout the curriculum and is the focus of many upper-level courses. The history curriculum integrates teaching historical knowledge with critical analyses of past social systems such as race, gender, ethnicity and class. Professors use various teaching methods and materials, including lectures, discussions, films, music, fiction, primary sources, biographies and textbooks.

The history major first broadly educates you in the history of Europe, the United States and Asia through five required introductory courses. As a major, you will be free to design your remaining program by choosing at least four upper-level courses. As a senior, you will discuss historiographical methodology with peers, complete a substantial historical research project in primary sources, and publicly present your research.

Teaching history at the college or secondary level may be of interest to many of you; however, there are many other history-related professions available. Public historians work in archives, libraries, museums, interpretive centers, national and state parks, and in state and federal agencies as cultural resources managers or institutional historians. Some historians form businesses through which they offer their research and writing skills via contracts with both private and government organizations. A bachelor’s degree in history serves as an ideal foundation for students who continue their education, either through law school or graduate-level studies. St. Kate’s history majors find careers in teaching, law, archival and museum work, government service, politics and business.

You will find many excellent opportunities for internships near St. Kate’s. The Minnesota Historical Society, which houses a state-of-the-art research facility and visitor-friendly museum that offer internship opportunities for students, is located just minutes from campus, as are several city and county archives and historical museums.

You will also have the opportunity to interact with peers who share your interest in history through the History Club. Social events are organized on a regular basis around activities or topics of historical interest.

The Center for Women, Economic Justice and Public Policy is a wonderful resource for history majors at St. Kate’s. The Center educates students to understand the depth and complexity of justice issues and prepares them to serve as engaged leaders in their communities and professions. The Center empowers women by promoting community collaboration and active learning to advance the creation of just economic policies and systemic change. Through course work, scholarship, events, programs, research and community partnerships, the Center strives to shift the emphasis from short-term assistance to sustainable opportunities for justice. The Center invites and encourages student involvement and supports a number of projects, including Carmen Pampas Research, where a team of St. Kate’s students conducted health related research in Bolivia; the Conference on Sexual Trafficking of Women and Girls to pursue action to change public policy for the protection of women and girls and the punishment of traffickers; and Voter Registration and Education Forums.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

HIST 1050 Birth of Europe and the European States
HIST 1060 Modern Europe
HIST 1160 East Asia Since 1600
HIST 1200 Survey of U.S. Political and Social History, 1600-1900
HIST 1300 Introduction to U.S. Historiography
Five history courses numbered 2000, or above, one of which must be the Senior Seminar (HIST 4850).

History majors satisfy the Writing Requirement for Majors by completing HIST 1300. You complete the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Writing Requirement with three other writing-intensive courses (CORE 1000 and CORE 3990, and any other writing-intensive course in another department).

URL: http://minerva.stkate.edu/academiccatalog0709.nsf/pages/history
This page was created on 05/02/2007 and last updated on 05/02/2007.
Comments, questions and feedback about this site may be addressed to registrar@stkate.edu.