B.A. in History

Program Overview

The B.A. in History at Saint Mary's College is designed to equip students with a deep understanding of historical processes and their impact on the present and future. It moves beyond rote memorization of dates and facts, encouraging students to ask profound questions about human identity, societal development, and cultural influences. The program fosters a vibrant community where students and professors engage in dynamic learning experiences, utilizing diverse primary sources, including literature, music, advertisements, and oral histories. Students are encouraged to pursue their own research interests, developing original topics and contributing to historical scholarship. The program explicitly aims to develop students' abilities to think globally, converse eloquently, research responsibly, and write clearly, preparing them for thoughtful lives and successful careers.

Curriculum: The curriculum for the B.A. in History is structured to provide both a broad historical foundation and opportunities for specialized study. Core courses typically include "Global History to 1500," "Global History Since 1500," "US History to 1877," and "US History Since 1877." A foundational course, "The Historian's Craft: Methods and Practice," introduces students to historical methodologies and critical source analysis. Students then explore various historical periods and regions through a wide range of elective courses, such as "Explorations in Global History," "Explorations in U.S. History," "Immigration and Ethnic Relations in US," "Explorations in Latin American History," "Explorations in Medieval European History," "Explorations in Modern European History," "Explorations in Asian History," and "Explorations in African History." A required course in "Public History" teaches the theories and practices behind historic sites, museums, and the public perception of the past. The program culminates in a "Senior Thesis," a significant piece of original historical research.

Research Focus: The B.A. in History at Saint Mary's College places a strong emphasis on research and critical historical inquiry. Students are challenged to "situate contemporary events within the context of the human narrative" and to "construct sophisticated, persuasive, and logical interpretations of historical problems and events" using both primary and secondary sources. The program's core methodology course, "The Historian's Craft," is central to developing these skills. All history majors are required to produce their own pieces of original research, typically a senior thesis of at least thirty pages, demonstrating their ability to conduct in-depth investigations. Students are also encouraged to work with faculty as paid research assistants, contributing to ongoing scholarly projects and gaining practical research experience. The department aims to move beyond "just term papers," encouraging students to delve deeply into topics and present their research at conferences and in publications.

Industry Engagement: Saint Mary's College actively prepares its History graduates for a variety of professional pathways, recognizing the high value of historical skills in diverse industries. A key component of the program is the "Public History" course, which includes a practicum component where students gain valuable work experience in museums or archives. The department highlights that a History degree equips graduates with communication and critical thinking skills necessary for careers in politics, publishing, public relations, and public administration. While formal, college-wide industry partnerships specifically for history may not be as direct as in business or STEM fields, the program emphasizes the acquisition of transferable skills highly sought after by employers. Faculty members, through their academic networks and mentorship, also guide students towards relevant internship and career opportunities, including those in law, archival science, and education.

Global Perspective: The B.A. in History at Saint Mary's College inherently fosters a strong global perspective by spanning "2.5 million years of history, from the Paleolithic Era to the present day." The curriculum includes foundational courses in "Global History to 1500" and "Global History Since 1500," alongside elective explorations in diverse regions such as Latin America, Asia, and Africa. This comprehensive approach encourages students to "think globally" and understand the interconnectedness of historical events across different cultures and geographies. The program emphasizes analyzing how human cultures develop in response to their environments and seeking explanations for these developments on a worldwide scale. Saint Mary's College's broader commitment to a global outlook and opportunities for international exchanges (as seen in offerings at similarly named institutions, though specific to SMC-CA, the liberal arts ethos supports this) further enrich students' appreciation for the complex human narrative across the globe.