History is the study of the human past, interpreted with artifacts, written evidence, and oral traditions. It is an inquiry into human experience, considering the diversity and complexity of human experience across time and place. It recognizes the particularity of different historical actors in the past, as well as the larger scale of those experiences. As a discipline, history requires a deliberative stance towards the past; the sophisticated use of information, evidence, and argumentation; and the ability to identify and explain continuity and change over time. Historical study is essential to active citizenship.
WHY CHOOSE HISTORY?
The History program enables students to consider the forces that have shaped world societies. History students learn to assess past evidence and conflicting interpretations about the past. History classes provide opportunities to engage critically on sources produced in the past and about the past. History students learn how to combine different kinds of evidence to make coherent arguments. They learn how history has been used as a tool of other interests. History students engage in respectful debate, achieve perspective, and analyse the magnitude and significance of events and ideas in the past.
WHAT WILL YOU STUDY?
Our department focuses on doing history rather than simply memorizing it. Our courses introduce students to the history of the United States, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the world. Our intermediate and advanced courses consider these regions within specific frameworks of historical understanding, including class, gender, ethnicity, race, culture, society, religion, art, architecture, politics, technology, war, and more.
January 2025
College of Arts and Sciences
1215 Wilbraham Road,
SPRINGFIELD,
Massachusetts,
01119, United States
Students should have high school transcripts in English.
Undergraduate students can use any of the following standardized tests to meet our English language requirement:
TOEFL - 74 IBT
IELTS - 6
PTE Academic - 50
STEP Eiken - Pre-1
iTEP – 4
Duolingo - 100 DET
Admission is on rolling basis.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.