History
Values and Society
Why Major in History at Allegheny College
Rather than asking what happened, we ask how we know. Hone in on research and writing skills to better understand the complex relationship between the past and present to prepare for your future.
Unusual Combinations
Students often combine History with:
Division
- Values and Society
Program Type
- Major
- Minor
Number of Credits
46 for major24 for minorWhere History Alumni Work Today
Director of Federal Relations
City of Boston
Sam Hyun ’14
Volunteer Coordinator
Smithsonian Institution
Michelle Welker ’11
Founder
The Curious Art Historian
Janelle Diethelm ‘12
Communications Director
Nan Whaley for Governor
Courtney Rice ’12
Public Policy Attorney
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Fred Eames ’86
Allegheny College has been a great place for me to cultivate important skills that will be useful throughout the rest of my life such as critical thinking, interpersonal communication, and evaluating sources.
Your Four-Year Journey
Year 1: Understanding
Begin with survey courses in European, American, and non-Western history to gain exposure to a wide range of geographic, regional, and national histories. Courses offered include History of the United States to 1865, Colonial Latin America, A History of the Modern Middle East, 1839-present, The Greek World, 1184-323 BCE, and The Soviet Century, 1917-present. 200-level topical courses are also an option for entering students.
Year 2: New Approaches
Dive into historical interpretation and debate in 200-level and 300-level courses. 200-level topical courses include A Survey of American Women’s History, Socialism and Post-Socialism in People’s Republic of China, African-American History since 1865, Law and Democracy in Ancient Greece, and Piracy in the Americas. In the second year, you’ll also learn the tools of the historian in the sophomore seminar.
Year 3: Delving Deeper
Explore historical interpretation and argument in 200-level and 300-level courses. 300-level topical courses include The Third Reich and the Holocaust, Disease and Medicine in Modern History, American Environmental History, Modern Chinese Warfare, and Dictators & Development in Latin America. In the third year, you’ll also take an intensive Junior Seminar to strengthen your research and writing skills, and you’ll begin to identify a region and period to explore in your senior comp.
Year 4: The Comp
The senior comp is a centerpiece of the fourth year. Working closely with your comp advisor, you’ll conduct extensive research using primary and secondary documentation and develop an original thesis and argument. You’re immersed in a research project of your own design!
Research and Internships
Hands-on experience is vital to exploring the relationship between past and present. Students are encouraged to take part in a variety of professional and experiential opportunities including:
- Student-faculty research
- Study abroad
- Internships
Work with Allegheny faculty or intern with local and national organizations to gain practical experience and explore connections to your classroom learning:
- Learn about historical interpretation and gain valuable marketing and leadership skills at Gettysburg National Military Park, the Seminary Ridge Museum, and the Eisenhower National Historic Site at Gettysburg Battlefield.
- Use support from the Paula A. Treckel History Department fund and the Ken Robertson ‘65 fund to conduct research and share your findings at professional meetings and conferences.
- Intern with the Crawford County Historical Society, the Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum, and the Drake Well Museum to gain critical skills in the field of museum studies.
- The past carries great weight and responsibility. Promote dialogue about history between scholars and the public as part of course activities and experiential learning opportunities.
- Make specialized knowledge accessible and engaging to the public.
- Collaborate with diverse communities to develop new knowledge and projects.
- Educate the Allegheny campus and local communities through temporary pop-up museums – shed light on underrepresented history and share it with the public!
Study away from campus during your junior year and earn transfer credits that apply to your degree.
Faculty and Staff
Email: khaywood@allegheny.edu
Phone: 814-332-4306
Associate Professor
Ph.D., State University of New York; M.A., Georgia State University; B.A., Beijing Language and Culture University
Email: gwu@allegheny.edu
Phone: 814-332-4307
Featured News
Allegheny Alumna Jenny Tompkins ‘18 Honored as Erie’s 40 Under 40 for Her Environmental Leadership
Jenny Tompkins ‘18 has been named one of Erie’s 40 Under 40 in Erie Reader for her significant contributions as Clean Water Campaign Manager at PennFuture. Based in Erie, Tompkins leads critical efforts to enhance climate resilience in Pennsylvania’s waterways and watershed communities.
Program Contact
E. Kalé Haywood
Associate Professor of History; Department Chair of History, Jewish Studies, Philosophy, Public Humanities, Religion in American Life
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Address:
520 North Main Street
Meadville, PA 16335
Contact:
814-332-4351
info@allegheny.edu
admissions@allegheny.edu
