History info sheet

HISTORY

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The Dordt Difference Hammurabi’s code. Hannibal’s military tactics. Hitler’s Naziism. Studying history opens a fascinating window to the past, its people, and their stories.

History is so much more than a factual collection of names and dates. Where did you come from, and what makes you consider attending Dordt College? If you answer those questions, you’ll get a glimpse of how others’ choices and values contribute to decisions that people make every day.

History studies how people have shaped culture. So, whether cultural leaders believe in the sovereignty of God or believe in the sovereignty of humans affects the decisions they make and the way they act.

Political systems, wars, laws, and textbooks reflect the values and worldviews of those who made them happen.

It can be challenging to be a Christian historian—or business person, teacher, scientist, or artist. In part that’s because our language and institutions have been shaped by a culture that assumes that individual rights are all-important and that human reason can solve the world’s problems. Our approach to studying history will give you a new and exciting way to understand history. It will also help you better understand how our world came to be what it is today and better prepare you to lead and serve others as a Christian in our culture.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT “The history professors really invested in me. They pushed me to see my potential and helped prepare me for my own lifelong journey of learning. They refined my researching and writing skills for graduate school. They encouraged me to not take the easy way out and to see the new questions behind every piece of research. I learned as much about the world around me as I did about my own preconceived notions. My professors encouraged me to look both within and around me to discover God’s world in a whole new way.”

Lexi (Elgersma) Oudman teaches history at Sioux Falls Christian High School.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES • Museum curator/educator/conservator • Lawyer • Public administrator • Archivist • Business manager • Documentary filmmaker • International relations specialist

THE PROGRAM

• Foreign policy specialist • National security positions

The history curriculum begins with an introductory Western Culture and Worldviews course and continues with a range of survey courses on Latin American, American, European, Muslim, and Far Eastern societies and cultures.

Courses span from ancient to contemporary history.

As a history major, you’ll select upper-level studies in American, European, and world history, such as U.S. Civil War and Reconstruction or the Modern Middle East.

A variety of study abroad programs allow you to experience life and culture in countries throughout the world.

Many courses offer cross-disciplinary connections with other programs.

• Economic development specialist • Mission worker • United Nations consultant • Seminary • American Red Cross representative • Corporate businessperson • Teacher

As a history major you’ll learn to develop the tools a historian needs for further historical studies, you’ll take a course in historiography to develop a Christian perspective on interpreting history, and you’ll participate in a senior seminar where you’ll practice research, writing, and presentation skills.

PROGRAM OPTIONS HISTORY MAJOR History education–prepares you for middle or high school teaching (ask for the education information sheet) History major with a museum studies emphasis–includes communication, art, business, political studies, and education courses History major with a pre-law emphasis–includes business law, criminal justice, communication, English, philosophy, and political studies courses History major with an international development emphasis–includes theology, economics, environmental studies, and political studies courses History major with a management/administration emphasis–includes business, communication, and psychology courses History major and a digital media production minor–18 hours of digital media production courses

THE FACULTY Walker Cosgrove, Ph.D., St. Louis University. Medieval Europe, religion and religious conflict, crusades Scott Culpepper, Ph.D., Baylor University. Early modern Europe, religion and popular culture, politics Paul Fessler, Ph.D., Texas A & M University. U.S., ethnicity and immigration, military Mark McCarthy, Ph.D., Notre Dame, Modern Europe, Russia, Russian religious history For more information go to www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/history Aug 2015

Walker.Cosgrove@dordt.edu Scott.Culpepper@dordt.edu

Paul.Fessler@dordt.edu Mark.McCarthy@dordt.edu