History majors at Central have access to a wide array of courses covering all aspects of world history, including United States, European, Middle Eastern, Asian, African and Latin American. The department offers a wide-ranging curriculum covering multiple time periods, and professors bring added insight into the classroom through their personal research specialties. Graduates are thoroughly prepared for professional life and advanced study in a variety of disciplines.
A history major at Central can be combined with other majors; some students choose to minor in history, which adds depth and context to their major. As one of the most relevant majors in the liberal arts, history provides a context for understanding ourselves, our field of study and our world.
All students are encouraged to study abroad with Central College to enhance their development as global citizens. History majors are particularly encouraged to study abroad because of the opportunities to visit historical sites that are otherwise only accessible through pictures in textbooks, and because of resume-building internship opportunities. Academic opportunities and internship programs also are available in Chicago, Washington, D.C. and New York City.
Title: Senior Lecturer of History
Passion: American military history
Fun Fact: His classes often travel to American battlefields like Gettysburg and Antietam
You'll have many opportunities to experience the past firsthand. Central students have toured Civil War battlefields in Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Mississippi, and enjoyed behind-the-scenes access at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum and the National WWI Museum. Students have also toured, studied and worked at the State Historical Society of Iowa and Living History Farms.
You'll be invited to investigate the past by participating in Honors seminars and regional undergraduate research conferences. Recent topics have included the Colorado Gold Rush, Hawarden World War II veterans, Chinese politics and American-Japanese relations. You'll also have opportunities to conduct original research in capstone classes.
History classes meet in historic Jordan Hall, which has been updated to meet the needs of today’s students.
No matter what your interests, Central has a student group or organization for you. Student groups of interest for history majors include History Club and Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society.
The research interests of Central’s history faculty create breadth and depth across courses including military history, political history, popular culture, migration and refugees, inter-ethnic relations and more.
Central’s history major also exposes students to museums, archives, academic and corporate libraries and other fields that utilize the work of historians. An internship is strongly recommended in this program.
Learn more about History in the course catalog.
Want to find out more about History at Central? Contact us to learn more about this major and our other strong academic programs.
Visit campus to observe classes and experience The Central Difference firsthand.
