History Major
Student Spotlights
Amaris
“As a student, Truman’s History Department not only gave me opportunities to be academically challenged but also cultivated my curiosity and understanding of history beyond just the classroom walls.”Read more>
Alexandra
“I chose history because I have always loved learning about it, and the faculty here really encouraged intellectual curiosity about different aspects of and approaches to history than I had previously considered.”Learn more>
Syrus
“I always gravitated towards history. It is a discipline that has so much relevance in day-to-day life. History is a field that speaks legitimacy into life, and that statement is especially true for marginalized groups. It also allows me to interrogate our understanding of the past to push for a better future.”Read more>
Angeline
“One of my favorite Truman classes was History 438 Rights, Resistance, and Race. I loved this class because we compared multiple revolutions in history, starting with the American, then the French, and finally the Haitian.”Read more>
Josh
“I really enjoy the History Department for so many reasons but to pick out a few it would be that the teachers really do care about their students and their future. The department is also very well organized, and the amount of choice in what classes you can take always astounds me. I love how one can find a field they are interested in and keep exploring it.”Read more>
Shannon
“One of the most impactful classes I have taken was SOAN 260, Social Institutions, which opened my eyes to how so much of life as we know it is structured and woven into the fabric of our society. Another was History and Theory, which revolutionized the way I think about the study of history and the inherent subjectivity of knowledge.”Read more>
John
“I think that by studying the past, we can understand the way that we are today, and we can better prepare ourselves for the future. But also, I just love learning about the past and other cultures and peoples. I think that studying history was the natural extension of my love for different cultures, histories, and languages. Given that I am also a linguistics major, it’s been really cool to be able to see how the study of language and the study of history have been able to coincide.”Read more>
Sadie
While in high school, Sadie Williams took a study-abroad trip to Argentina that ignited a passion for the Spanish language. Starting her first day of college, she took advantage of opportunities that would help propel her toward the type of job that would offer meaningful work doing what she loved.
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Bethany
When she started college, Bethany Moore knew she wanted to study abroad. After weighing her options, she chose to study in Bulgaria and used the opportunity to travel to more than 10 countries.
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Jennifer
Pursuing her interest in history, Jennifer Marks embarked on a research project to create the first online digital archives of World War II-era letters from Kirksville citizens for the Century America Project. The letters represent the voices of the Great War.
Watch Jennifer’s video»
In all the classes I have taken in the department, I have spoken with professors easily outside of the classroom, and they consistently offer plenty of help on coursework and take a genuine interest in my personal and professional development. The professors come from a wide variety of backgrounds and have diverse academic interests, so the department offers a lot of different content and perspectives.