History

Kimberly Schauman Davis, Instructor

Peter C. P. van Lidth de Jeude, Associate Professor

Faculty from other disciplines also support this program.

The study of history provides a depth of perspective that allows us to address the problems of today’s world with an understanding of how they have been shaped by human experience over time and what forces are likely to shape them in the future. It develops an ability to analyze processes of change; to discern causes and effects; to distinguish what is lasting and significant from what is relatively temporary and trivial; to understand multiple forms of data and convert that understanding into clear, comprehensible narrative; and to see beyond the boundaries of our own time and place.

Principia’s history program emphasizes chronology, sequence, and the broader context of human events. It addresses the moral issues raised by these events and the ethics of how we analyze and record them. Because many issues historians focus on today are global and engage the expertise of multiple disciplines, attention is also given to developing a global perspective and an awareness of how multiple disciplines contribute to the historical narrative.

Students in Principia's History Department explore historical thinking, master historical knowledge, engage in historical research and analysis, and learn to communicate effectively within the discipline of history. The History Department offers programs of study in all global regions and across all eras of history to help students make broader and deeper connections with the college’s courses offered in (among others) literature, languages and culture, economics, political science, religion, philosophy, and sociology that enrich and complement the course offerings in history in the spirit of the liberal arts.

To ensure students learn the full breadth of human history, the History Department requires foundational surveys that are then built upon in required courses from multiple eras of history. To facilitate students hearing multiple perspectives, including ones traditionally overlooked, a course in an otherwise marginalized perspective is required. To ground students in the discipline of History, students are required to take multiple courses in historical methodology, with both History majors and minors needing to complete HIST 297 Historical Thinking & Research and HIST 270 History Focus Seminar.

For history majors, this foundational knowledge is then augmented via multiple electives in topics of the student’s choice, as well as two capstone courses, HIST 497 Designing Capstone Research and HIST 498 Capstone Research & Writing, which give students the opportunity to craft and complete a major research project of their choosing. To provide adequate depth, three courses in addition to the capstone sequence must be at the 300-level or above.

It is strongly recommended that history majors know a second language up to the 200-level or equivalent. If a student chooses to study a language not offered at the College, they should consult with the Department of Languages and Cultures and the Registrar about transfer of credit.