Department of History
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Undergraduate Program
Welcome to the Undergraduate Program in History at Purdue University. The History Department has thirty-five full-time faculty members whose scholarly and teaching interests reflect all areas of the globe and all historical periods from the ancient to the modern. Our approach to history is equally varied: politics, society, culture, gender, race, war, diplomacy, science and technology are all part of every semester's course offerings. The structure of the department's courses is also diverse, ranging from large lectures with discussion sections, to limited enrollment upper division classes with more interaction among students and the instructor, to reading and research seminars. Members of the faculty are involved in the university's honors and study abroad programs as well as American Studies, Women's Studies and African American Studies. Finally the centrality of the department's teaching mission to undergraduate education at Purdue University is reflected in the large number of history courses in the College of Liberal Arts Core Curriculum.
The department is known for its quality teaching. A number of current faculty members have won the College of Liberal Arts Teaching Excellence Award and the university's Murphy Award for Undergraduate Teaching Excellence. They are also members of the Purdue University Teaching Academy and are included in the university's Book of Great Teachers.
The department is home to approximately 320 majors. Some elect to go on to graduate school in history. Others see a history major as a logical background to careers in law and public policy. But our graduates go on to a variety of occupations in the public and private sector. Students acquire skills in our classes-how to research, read a text critically, write effectively, communicate verbally-that they can use and have used to great advantage in other courses at the university. More to the point, these skills-critical thinking and effective communication-prepare students for careers in a wide variety of fields and occupational endeavors.
A History Honors Program is being developed. The department has also expanded their Study Abroad Programs for undergraduate students and faculty. View the respective pages for more detail. Stay involved with departmental Events by viewing the calendar throughout the year.
We would be happy to discuss with you the challenges and many opportunities of a history major. You will discover quickly that faculty members are concerned about the welfare-scholarly, personal, and professional-of undergraduates whatever their school or major. Please feel free to contact us at history@purdue.edu if we can provide you with any further information. Whatever your choice of a major, we wish you the very best during your tenure at this world class institution.
R. Douglas Hurt
Department Head