The History Department at the University of Denver

Welcome!

Welcome to the History Department at the University of Denver! History analyzes the social, economic, political, and cultural changes that occur over the whole of recorded time. It prepares students to confront and manage change. Our faculty members specialize in the history of Asia, Europe, and America, and we offer a broad range of introductory surveys and more specialized courses. History majors are introduced to a variety of approaches to the study of history; all our majors take courses in different geographical areas and periods while also engaging in the in-depth study of a particular subfield within the discipline.

All History majors take a capstone sequence of courses called Senior Seminar. In Senior Seminar, you will engage in your own work of original research, culminating in a major research paper. Working closely with a faculty mentor in your field of specialization, you will identify a set of primary sources with which you can answer a significant historical question and make your own contribution to the field. This project is designed to bring together all the skills you have acquired in your other History courses, while working on a topic that is of particular interest to you. Students consistently describe this project as their most challenging, and most rewarding, experience at DU.

As a History major, you will learn to:

Write clearly and effectively;
Identify and evaluate arguments and the use of evidence in secondary sources;
Devise historical questions and formulate arguments that answer those questions;
Use evidence effectively to construct a historical interpretation;
Understand the concept of historiography and engage in historiographical debate;
Engage in research that integrates primary and secondary sources.

We invite you to explore our site and familiarize yourself with our faculty, courses, and some career options available to you.

Click here for information about the specific course requirements for the major and minor.