Without history, nothing makes sense: from the meaning of words to the formation of identities, institutions, states, and societies. At Wesleyan, history majors study with a distinguished group of scholar-teachers whose work ranges from the medieval to the post-modern, from the Middle East to the Midwest, from gender and sexuality to science and economics, from micro-history to world history. A minor is also offered.
Majoring in history helps develop critical thinking and interpretation skills, persuasive writing, and analytical and research skills for tackling difficult questions. With the ability to sort out complex problems and tell compelling stories, students who major in history often pursue careers in academia, journalism, teaching, politics and policy, and law, among other fields.
What You'll Study
- History Department courses are grouped in modules—fields of concentration that provide a thematic, geographic or chronological unity for the courses you take. The modules reveal the richness and depth of the history curriculum. You can view them here.
- The history major requires 11 credits, with at least eight credits earned in two modules. The one required course for all history majors, Issues in Contemporary Historiography, should be taken in your junior year. A required senior research project will provide you with the opportunity to sharpen your skills and dig in deep while exploring a topic you're passionate about.
- Most history majors study abroad in the spring of their junior year.
