The past surrounds us. We live in the shadow of the thoughts and actions of those who lived before us. To ignore this legacy is to live a sort of collective amnesia. A humanist education includes conscious confrontation with history as collective lived experience and as an academic discipline that seeks to inquire into that experience. Through active research and engaged teaching and conversation, the History Department helps students develop a literate, insightful understanding of human experience. We invite students who share our commitment to historical study to join in that exhilarating, demanding, and rewarding project.
At Saint Anselm College, History majors choose their own path. You can personalize your course choices around your interests and goals. In addition to taking challenging and engaging courses, students can apply to work on faculty research projects and can pursue their own research in the Research Seminar. History skills are in demand in the marketplace. They include the ability to synthesize diverse information, to write clear and persuasive arguments backed up by data, and to understand human actions in different places and cultures. Saint Anselm College History majors have success in a wide variety of fields after graduation, including business, museums, law, and education.
Students may move through the major in any order they wish, though most begin with 100 level courses and move progressively toward the 400 level Research and Reading seminars.
Internships and study abroad are encouraged by the department.
Major requirements include:
History majors are required to complete 10 History courses. Students must take one course in each of the following four areas of study-Early Europe (before 1600); Modern Europe (since 1600); United States; and Special Areas. All majors will need to complete either the Reading or Research Seminar. Students may apply no more than two 100 level- and three 200 level-courses to their History major.
History Major Learning Outcomes
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Foundational Skills
- Learn to read critically, think analytically, argue cogently, and write clearly.
- Master different types of writing assignments (e.g., book reviews, annotated bibliographies, essays, and research papers).
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Disciplinary Skills
- Understand the distinct perspectives and values of past societies, their connections to the present, as well as the differences between past and present-day societies.
- Explain the interplay of broad changes and continuities in human society.
- Recall dominant themes and events that constitute significant historical periods.
- Evaluate, analyze, and comprehend different types of primary source evidence within its historical context.
- Use primary sources (written, oral, visual, and material) to develop and support a historical argument.
- Appreciate the complex process of constructing history from a fragmentary historical record and how the interpretation of specific historical events has changed over time.
- Understand historical topics and themes from four content areas (early Europe, modern Europe, the United States, and special areas (World)).
- Pursue a topic to analyze particular themes, time periods, or interpretations in depth through a capstone experience.
- Gain proficiency in historical research methods.
Please refer to the Online College Catalogue for more information, including course descriptions.
Sample Course Schedule for a History Major
| Freshman Year | HU 103 - Conversatio I EN 105 - Freshman English Language History |
HU 104 - Conversatio II Scientific reasoning Language History |
| Sophomore Year | Philosophical or Theological reasoning Language History Elective/quantitative reasoning |
Philosophical or Theological reasoning History Elective/Social scientific awareness Elective/Aesthetic engagement |
| Junior Year | Philosophical or Theological reasoning Elective History Elective |
Philosophical or Theological reasoning Elective History Elective |
| Senior year | History History Elective Elective |
History History Elective Elective |
Students may use their elective course slots to fulfill a second major, a minor, internships, or other academic and career goals.
Student Opportunities
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History Society
The History Society is a student club affiliated with the history department. Open to all students regardless of major, the club aims to foster the appreciation of history through trips and various activities. For more information please contact the History Society's faculty advisor, Sarah Hardin.
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Phi Alpha Theta
Founded in 1921, Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honors society, recognizes and encourages excellence in the study of history. The Saint Anselm College Sigma Omega Chapter, the first in the State of New Hampshire, was founded in 1972. Membership is by invitation only and based on academic performance. For more information, please contact the Phi Alpha Theta advisor, Professor Sean Perrone or visit the Phi Alpha Theta website.
