History home page

Welcome to the History Department!

History encompasses the whole of human experience, helping us understand ourselves in the context of our times and traditions through the study of times and traditions other than our own. History means not only the record of the past but also the discipline of investigating and interpreting the past. The study of history develops habits of critical thinking and effective writing, as well as it cultivates the careful analysis of various types of quantitative and qualitative evidence. It should be of value not only to undergraduates who intend to pursue advanced degrees in the field, but also to students interested in exploring the diversity and complexity of the human past, even as they hone their analytical and expository skills.

Catch up with History

New Oral History Track for Senior Thesis!

Women’s History Institute Summer Research Fellowship: Call for 2020 Applications

The Women's History Institute of Historic Hudson Valley is proud to announce that it is accepting applications for the 2020 fellowships. This is for students majoring in history and/or women's studies as well as those with an interest in aspects of women's history in other fields. This opportunity offers privileged and sustained engagement with Historic Hudson Valley's Library and Archives as well as a $3,000 stipend to offset expenses incurred during the research period. Research fellows are expected to produce a final report on their findings which will become part of Historic Hudson Valley's permanent research collection.

Applications are invited for on-site research to be conducted for a minimum of 6 weeks between June 1, 2020 – October 1, 2020. The deadline for application is December 31, 2019, and fellowship awards will be announced on February 3, 2020.

https://hudsonvalley.org/news/womens-history-institute-summer-research-fellowship-call-for-applications/

Sample Course Syllabi Now Available

There are now sample syllabi for BC History courses for student reference during registration for the upcoming semester(s). The syllabi may not be updated, but they are provided just to give you an indication of the topics and workload.

UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER FELLOWSHIPS

The IRCPL Undergraduate Summer Fellowship supports travel and living expenses for summer research or internship opportunities for undergraduate students with a strong interest in the study of religion and/or secularism. Successful candidates will receive a maximum of $2,500. See more details here.

Apply by Wednesday, March 25th, 2020.

Visting Scholar: Professor Ohannes Kılıçdağı Presents Renaissance, Annihilation and Survival: The History of Armenians in Turkey from the Tanzimat to the Present

Renaissance, Annihilation and Survival: The History of Armenians in Turkey from the Tanzimat to the Present-Professor Ohannes Kılıçdağı

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Recent News

The College and Faculty Awarded Major Research Grants and Awards

Read about the latest accomplishments by Barnard faculty and campus initiatives.

November 18, 2019

Congratulations to Emily Reed (Class of '19) on the publication of her op-ed in the Washington Post!

"In keeping with the Trump administration’s determination to disincentivize migrants from coming to the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection often conveniently exploits asylum seekers who cannot read. Along with an unfamiliarity with our deliberately complex immigration system, the illiteracy of Central American migrants, especially women, facilitates the deportation of parents and separation of families..."

To continue reading click here.

September 20, 2019

The History Department has been featured in Barnard Magazine!

Understanding the Present Through the Past:
Hoping to make sense of heartbreaking current events, more students are turning to the History Department’s innovative, real-world classrooms.

link to full article

August 5, 2019

Link to full article