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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Thirteen Faculty Members Promoted at Holy Cross
Thirteen faculty members at the College of the Holy Cross have been promoted to the rank of associate professor with tenure. Andrea Borghini, of the philosophy department, earned his Ph.D. in 2007 from Columbia University, and his Laurea in 2000 …
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‘Holy Cross students participate in prestigious international leadership conference’
The New York Times profiled the inaugural Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. McDonald Cadet Leadership Conference on its The New York Times in Leadership website. Holy Cross students Andrea Davis ’13 and Malik Neal ’13 were two of just 84 …
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Holy Cross Students Participate in Prestigious International Leadership Conference
“Transformative.” “Inspirational.” “Life-changing.” These are just some of the ways Andrea Davis ’13 and Malik Neal ’13 describe their experience at the prestigious Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. McDonald Cadet Leadership Conference (MCLC). Two of just 84 undergraduates chosen from …