History

What Does It Look Like To Study History at Concordia?

Majoring in History opens students up to a world of possibilities. This degree encourages flexibility by requiring a broad range of courses. By the time students complete their undergraduate studies, they are thoroughly prepared for graduate school and various careers in academic, professional and business fields.

Program Overview

The History major encourages flexibility by requiring a broad range of courses integrating many areas of the liberal arts. The degree requirements enable you to consider minoring in another area of study:

• Behavioral Sciences
• Business Management
• Communication
• Education
• English
• Political Science
• Religion
• Writing

The History major prepares graduates for various careers by strengthening students' information-gathering abilities—along with their organizational, analytical, research and writing skills. Students are also prepared for graduate study in various periods of History and the areas of law, public history, library studies and ministry.

Program Sheet

Curriculum Overview for a History Degree

Professors strive to find ways to ensure that you find your own place in history, can think historically, and make connections between past and present. They bring in guest speakers who allow you to see the usefulness of a History degree. Each History course can be thought of as an apprenticeship in the study of history, using primary sources from a time period and current scholarship about that era.

The History major includes courses grouped in the following categories:

History students can take a semester-long internship for variable credit hours, depending on work hours available. About 50 percent of History majors go on to some graduate school in History programs, education programs, English programs, seminary or law school.

Here are some highlighted courses:

History of the Middle Ages: In this course, students study the political, economic, social, and cultural development of the three successor civilizations of the ancient world: Byzantium, Islam and Western Christendom, with particular emphasis on the Christian West. It looks at how these civilizations developed and interacted in both peace and war.

The American West: In this course, students investigate the history and geography of the American frontier from the colonial period to the late nineteenth century; the frontier experience and its influence on the nation including the impact of railroads on cattle drives; and the developments within the Great Plains, Mountain West and Pacific West after 1900.

International Relations Since 1919: In this course, students will analyze world events since 1919 that have affected relationships between nations. Such issues include wars, peace negotiations, economics and social crises.

Introduction to Public History: In this course, students learn about the history of public history, employment opportunities for public historians and public historical issues—monuments, memory and museums. Emphasis is placed on the application of theories of public history to real-world situations.

Race and Ethnic Relations: This course focuses on race and ethnic relations as a national concern.

Program Benefits

• Faculty with impressive academic and professional qualifications who love to teach
• Smaller class sizes that allow - and require - student interaction in thoughtful discussions
• A friendly community where you can make lifelong connections with classmates from a wide variety of backgrounds

History students have had successful internships at various organizations/agencies in Austin, including:

• The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, working with the photograph collection and preparing an exhibition
• The Austin History Center, organizing materials for researchers
• The Texas Historical Commission working on historical markers

Success Stories

“I have found in my professional career in IT Security that the ability to research and write about different subjects is a skill that is a great benefit not only in my chosen profession, but is also an excellent skill to have in graduate school. History majors are hysterical!”
- Chris Brame, BA 2015, MBA 2018

“I am utilizing my degree at the moment to use critical thinking, work ethic from our due dates and papers and hard work on the long writing. I currently work at UPS, where my degree got me a better starting pay. I’m working towards being a driver, which the degree also helps me achieve before those without a degree. I am also about to start my online teaching certification, in case UPS driving doesn’t work out for me for any reason. I’ve also been on the prowl for job opportunities in the history field, such as archeology, museum work and writing. Many jobs require higher degrees for this, so I have also considered pursuing my next degree. Either way, my history degree has greatly helped me look at situations from all angles, instead of having a fixed outlook on certain issues and problems our world faces in everyday scenarios.”
- Jeffrey Brown, 2018

“Since graduating, my History degree has allowed me to excel in the government sector at the state level. The skills learned and honed at Concordia have also given me the inspiration to start my own side-business, as well as actively pursue a graduate degree in History.”
- John Farren, 2016

Career Outcomes

• Advertising Executive
• Analyst
• Archivist
• Broadcaster
• Campaign Worker
• Consultant
• Congressional Aide
• Editor
• Foreign Service Officer
• Foundation Staffer
• Information Specialist
• Intelligence Agent
• Journalist
• Lawyer
• Legal Assistant
• Lobbyist
• Minister
• Personnel Manager
• Public Relations Staffer
• Researcher
• Teacher

The American Historical Association has more information on careers in History here.

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