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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Professor Weighs In on ‘How the Russian State Media Has Been Covering Trump’s Russia Scandal’
As the investigation into the connection between Russia and Trump continues, media around the world is dominated by each new finding—except, surprisingly, for mainstream Russian media. In a Mother Jones article that dives into this phenomenon, Cynthia Hooper, associate professor …
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Professor Stephanie Yuhl, ‘Teacher of Teachers,’ Wins Career Teaching Medal
“Bring your joy.” For Stephanie Yuhl, professor of history, these are words she lives by as an educator, as a colleague, and as director of the College’s innovative first-year Montserrat program. For students and fellow professors who know Yuhl, her …
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Blog: Chinese Native Looks Forward to Exploring England in Year Abroad
NAME Siming Zhai ’19 (My friends call me Siming, Jasmine, Jazzy, Jas …) HOMETOWN Shanghai, China AREAS OF STUDY International Studies and history double major WHERE SHE’S STUDYING University of Sussex in Brighton, England DURATION Full academic year WHY SHE …