Department of History

P. David Dillard, Interim Academic Unit Head
Phone: (540) 568-6132
Email: history@jmu.edu
Location: Wilson Hall 3034
Website: http://jmu.edu/history

Professors
R. Brannon, K. Borg, P. Dillard, E. Friss, M. Gubser, M. Hametz, S. M. Hanifi, K. Hardwick, G. Lanier, K. McCleary, F. Montoya, M. Mulrooney, D. Owusu-Ansah, S. Reich, M. Seth, A. Witmer

Associate Professors
J. Davidson, C. Davis, T. Fitzgerald, M. Gayne, P. Herrington, Y. Hu, C. Moore, A. Sandman, W. Van Norman, E. Westkaemper

Assistant Professors
N. Amin, E. Carrara, J. Jones

Mission

We regard history as an ever-evolving discipline based on the rigorous collection and critical analysis of evidence to explore the diversity of human experiences over time. As historians, we narrate the past by interpreting our sources, advancing informed perspectives on past social, political and cultural realities, while also providing essential contextual knowledge for the present. By teaching students how to interrogate the historical record, evaluate arguments based on the strength of the evidence, and communicate complex ideas effectively, we prepare students to become discerning, productive, and knowledgeable participants in a global society.

Inside the Classroom

Students of history will become well-rounded and engaged citizens by:

Acquiring knowledge of the human condition through the study of political, cultural, and social experiences of people around the world.
Learning the historical contexts of major political, intellectual, social, economic, religious, and environmental events and transformations.
Understanding the major cultural developments in fine and popular arts in societies around the world in their historical contexts.
Discerning how people from a variety of societies hold differing values, ethics, and legal concepts and comprehending how these ideas relate to each other and to Western ideas and values.

Students of history will gain the following skills

Reading, writing, and speaking effectively and critically.
Making informed judgments based on existing evidence.
Locating printed and online information to research a topic exhaustively.
Critically evaluating textual evidence by identifying its thesis, sources, conclusions, perspective, bias, and reliability.

Beyond the Classroom

While at JMU, students of history will bring the insights and skills they learn in the classroom to their relationships and experiences with their broader communities.

Possibilities for such interactions include:

Leading efforts to promote open dialogue, civic engagement, and public service.
Fostering interdisciplinary relationships by engaging with the larger scholarly community at the university.
Participating in partnerships and events that expand and challenge their own worldview.
Studying abroad to deepen their understanding of cultural differences and non-US historical perspectives and experiences.
Becoming involved in professional work through internships.

Career Opportunities

Students graduating with a major or minor in history leave JMU with skills that are sought after by a wide range of employers. History graduates are adaptive learners and able project managers. As a result, they are particularly marketable in a world where professions change rapidly. Some of the career paths that history majors follow include:

Advertising
Archives and Libraries
Business
Communication
Digital humanities
Education
Government
Information Management
Journalism
Law
Non-Profit and Non-Governmental Organizations
Project Management
Public History and Museums
Public Policy
Research
Teaching
Writing and Editing

Undergraduate work in history is also a successful foundation for advanced degrees in the humanities, law, the social sciences, medicine, and other disciplines.

Co-curricular Activities and Organizations

Phi Alpha Theta (National Honor Society for History)
The Madison Historians

Cross Disciplinary Minors

Students majoring or minoring in history might consider adding a cross-disciplinary minor. The programs below are supported by history faculty and include courses that can be double-counted in the history major or minor. For more information, refer to cross-disciplinary Minors.