History lives in the classrooms of Monmouth College!Bringing the past to life means understanding historical causes and their effects, investigating change and continuity over time, and assessing how the past continues to shape who we are as a nation and as a world. History is a crucial part of every liberal arts education, because the study of history involves an investigation of the human condition from every continent and every era. Historical study broadens horizons, enables comparisons, and creates more informed citizens.
The Monmouth College History Department invites students to learn how to connect the present with the past. In our classrooms we emphasize critical reading for the nuances in the historical record; thoughtful and absorbing research in primary and secondary sources; and careful, clear writing. Our professors are passionate about the history they study and teach, and their enthusiasm is infectious.
Our graduates go off to many fields: all levels of education, law, public service, archival and library sciences, and any professional job that prizes the ability to conduct research, analyze data, and write well.
If you are a Monmouth College History grad, we would love to know how you are and what you are doing in order to gather alumni news for our website! Email
stacy@monm.edu or any other History faculty member.
Equipment/Facilities
The Mary Bartlett Crow Room and the Capron Room are fully equipped for audio-visual presentations. The Federal Depository, located in the Hewes Library, is a valuable addition to the department and Monmouth College.
The Monmouth College Archives, located in the Hewes Library, is a tremendous resource for the history of the College and a classroom for students in the Archives courses. The Archaeology Lab serves a similar purpose, introducing students to archaeological techniques in hands-on courses.
Off-Campus Programs
History students participate in the Associated Colleges of the Midwest programs (Arts of London and Florence, Washington House, India Studies, Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies, Studies in Latin American Culture and Society, Czech Republic, and Urban Studies). Individual students have written for the local newspaper, the college newspaper and worked for local radio stations.
Career Opportunities
History, either as a major or taken in connection with a major in another field, helps prepare students for careers in government, public administration, law, journalism, communications, library science, teaching, religious studies, business and many other fields.
Monmouth history majors have successfully pursued a variety of careers. A graduate in the 1960's pioneered women's history. After a successful teaching career at St. Olaf College, she has been called to a position in which she will help set up an undergraduate program for a new college that will be part of the California university system. Another is a nationally recognized expert on Peace Studies. A large number of majors are in high school teaching and administration. Several have had successful careers in business. Others have gone into professions - law, library science, journalism, and museum work. One of our majors entered journalism and became an editor of Time magazine before becoming assistant secretary of state for public affairs.
Graduate School Opportunities
History majors who have gone to graduate or law school have done well. We feel that this is evidence of the quality of the undergraduate preparation we have provided them at Monmouth. For example, a student who completed a double major in history and government pursued graduate study in public administration to prepare them for a career in government.
Teacher Certification:
Students seeking teacher certification in this area should refer to the education section of the college catalog.