History

History: Major

The study of history at Holy Cross not only seeks to understand the past; it also offers deep personal enrichment for a thoughtful, even passionate, engagement in the challenges of the present. Among the most encompassing academic disciplines, history is informed by economics, sociology, anthropology, political science, the arts and literature.

Working with innovative faculty experts, students explore a diverse range of interests and a broad selection of topics from “Traditional” East Asia to Modern Latin America, Gilded Age America to Imperial Russia. Students learn how politics, social and economic developments, and cultural life interact.

Students of all interests, passions, and goals study history at Holy Cross. Graduates use their training to pursue careers in law, medicine, government service, business, teaching and a host of other vocations. 

Program Highlights

Students enrolled in history at Holy Cross explore their major and gain depth in a particular aspect of history through a global concentration. Spanning geographic locations and time, students select from the following themes:

  • Colonialism and Empire
  • Gender in Public and Private Life
  • Race and Ethnicity
  • Resistance, Revolution, and Reaction
  • Knowledge and Belief
  • War and Memory
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Faculty

With 18 full-time professors, the department is one of the largest history departments among liberal arts colleges.

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Opportunities

Students can augment their studies through honors programs and hands-on experiences.

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After Graduation

Find out what students can do with a history major, and check out the careers of some recent alumni.

History News

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Blog: Filipino-American Fontelo ’13 Studies Classical Music in Philippines Under Fulbright
NAME Paul Fontelo ’13 HOMETOWN Potomac, Md. UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES Music and history double major WHAT HE’S STUDYING Under a Fulbright grant, Fontelo is studying classical music composition from leading Filipino composers and musicians at the University of the Philippines College …
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Holy Cross Produces Record Number of Fulbright Scholars
Fourteen recent graduates from the College of the Holy Cross have been awarded Fulbright grants to work and teach abroad during the 2013-14 academic year. This marks a record high number of Fulbrights awarded in a single year for the …
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Holy Cross Students and Faculty Make Headlines for Performance in Bali Arts Festival
In the summer of 2009, Lynn Kremer, professor of theatre at the College of the Holy Cross, took a group of students and alumni to perform her original musical drama “Mimpi” at the prestigious Bali Arts Festival; they were the …