History - BA

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

The history major broadly educates students in the history of Europe, the United States and Asia through four required introductory courses. Students will then  be free to design much of their remaining program by choosing at least four upper-level courses. Senior history majors will discuss historiographical methodology with peers, complete a substantial historical research project in primary sources and publicly present their research.

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 viewed through lenses of race, gender, ethnicity and class. Professors use various teaching methods and materials, including lectures, discussions, films, music, fiction, primary sources, biographies and textbooks.

Teaching history at the college or secondary level may be of interest to some students; however, there are many other history-related professions. Public historians work in archives, libraries, museums, interpretive centers, national and state parks, and in state and federal agencies as cultural resource managers or institutional historians.  A bachelor's degree in history also 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, business, and any other field in which critical thinking skills are important.

Students 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, offers internship opportunities for students, and is located just minutes from campus.  There are also several city and county archives and historical museums in the area.

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

This major is offered in the College for Women only. 

Curriculum

History majors satisfy the Writing Requirement for Majors by completing HIST 4850W Senior Seminar: Humanities Capstone . They complete the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Writing Requirement with three other writing-intensive courses (CORE 1000W The Reflective Woman and CORE 3990W Global Search for Justice, and any other writing-intensive course in another department).