History

As society evolves and learns, our view of history changes to meet new needs.  As a student of history, you frame the past to shape the future, drawing upon the wisdom of the present.

Our history program encourages students to step outside their own cultural and social experiences to examine past events from a fresh perspective, realizing there are multiple ways to view historical events and their impact on the present and future.  Above all, students are encouraged to see history as the study of how and why things change over time, rather than strict memorization of facts and dates.  UMF history majors work with faculty mentors in small classes and are able to select a variety of hands-on experiences, including identifying and utilizing primary historical sources, collecting oral histories, assisting local historical societies, traveling to historical sites, and taking part in a live-in experience at Norlands (a working 1870's farm).  Many students participate in the Student History Society and Civil War Society.  In addition to lecture classes and small seminars, students are encouraged to explore the wealth of human history in film, literature, art, museums and local historical societies.

The history major is flexible enough to accommodate diverse  interests and can be complemented by course offerings from other disciplines, such as anthropology, sociology, geography, political science, economics, religion, art history, english, and philosophy.  Students will have the opportunity to conduct original research in different aspects of human history around the globe.