Department of History and Philosophy

Welcome

The History branch of the History and Philosophy department offers students the opportunity to study the past, both for its own sake and for the perspectives it offers on the present.

Historical studies have value for students in any discipline. The student of history learns the nature of evidence and how to handle and interpret many different kinds of evidence. He or she learns to expect and resolve conflicting interpretations of major issues, and learns the uses and misuses of past experience as a guide to present action. So the study of history develops intellectual abilities which will be useful throughout life. Moreover, every discipline has a history of its own, and most base some of their conclusions on data from the past. The study of patterns of change in past societies may be the best preparation of all for coping with life in a rapidly changing world.

Check out our Fall 2009 courses:

A363: Survey of Indiana History / McShane

A382: The Sixties / Anslover

B357: Modern France / Briggs

C386: Greek History to Alexander the Great / Pierce

J495: America in the Age of Federalism / Young

Click here for the entire Fall 2009 Schedule of History Classes

Awards/Honors for History Majors

Superior students are encouraged to pursue independent study and research through reading for honors courses at the junior and senior levels. Students with a grade point average of 3.4 in courses in history may write an honors thesis in their senior year with the consent of the department. Proposals should be submitted to the chairperson in the semester before the thesis is to be undertaken. Further information about advanced placement and the honors program may be obtained from the Department of History and Philosophy.

The Paul J. Urcan Memorial Prize Award Each year, the faculty of the Department of History and Philosophy selects a student, usually a graduating senior, who has done outstanding work in history to be awarded the Paul J. Urcan Memorial Prize.

Rhiman A. and Brenda Rotz Memorial Scholarship Each year, junior and senior students may submit a proposal for the scholarship, according to department guidelines. A committee of department faculty chooses the recipient.

Phi Alpha Theta

Contact Professor Briggs for more information: jwbriggs@iun.edu

Job Opportunities for History Majors

Many students have asked about job opportunities for those majoring in History. The American Historical Association has an online guide to these job opportunities both inside and outside of Academia. Please follow the link below for more information about careers for students of history.

Careers for Students of History (AHA)