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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

Faculty

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

Opportunities

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

After Graduation

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

History News

Cynthia Hooper, associate professor of history and director of Russian and Eastern European Studies. Photo by Tom Rettig

Holy Cross Professor and Russia Expert Analyzes Kremlin’s Media Response to Mueller Report

Reactions to the release of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report investigating Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election have dominated the news cycle nationwide. But what have Russians been saying about the “no collusion with the Kremlin” findings? In …

Edward O'Donnell, associate professor of history. Photo by Tom Rettig

Holy Cross History Professor Is Leading Voice Nationally on Irish-American History

In this time of divisive rhetoric about recent immigrants and terrorism, Ed O’Donnell, associate professor of history at Holy Cross, says that we can learn a lot from the discarded stereotypes of the past. In a Washington Post commentary, Professor …

Edward O'Donnell, associate professor of history

Holy Cross History Professor Talks to NBC News About the Gilded Age and Today’s Populism

The debate over increasing taxes on the wealthy has dominated the early days of the 2020 presidential race, with some Democrats proposing tax hikes as high as 77 percent. This populist movement, thought to be in response to the rise …