About the Department
History Faculty
Asian Studies Faculty
History Department Website
Historical study at SPU invites students to discover the complex worlds of the past across the globe, exploring cultural, political, and economic connections within and among societies.
Our program emphasizes the usefulness of History in understanding social and economic inequalities and challenges, and the role that History can play in crafting solutions. As we study the past, we cultivate the practice of empathy and foster Christian hope for the future.
Our Mission
The Department of History prepares students for service by studying the past as it relates to the present and to the future. Our approach affirms diverse heritages, welcomes long-neglected voices, applies innovative tools, interacts with other fields of study, and cultivates the virtue of hope in world both deeply divided and globally interwoven.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students taking history courses will:
- Engage in wide reading, deep thinking, and clear communication about the vast record of human experience.
- Learn how to discover facts, weigh interpretations, and draw conclusions in order to comprehend the present, envision alternative scenarios, and identify with generations to come.
- Become knowledgeable about the human story in its many phases and dimensions — ancient, medieval and modern; global, regional, and local; and the history of Christian faith and practice.
Future Teachers
If you are interested in teaching History or Social Studies at the middle school to high school level, you should plan to complete the History (BA) or Political Science (BA) major along with the Secondary Certification program through the School of Education. This program leads to an endorsement in History and/or Social Studies for grades 5-12.
Students endorsing in Social Studies are also required to complete additional coursework in Economics and Political Science. These additional courses are not required for students endorsing in History only.
Contact the School of Education for complete information on the certification program.
