History

Lehigh’s history major introduces you to the study of the causes and consequences of change through an examination of political, economic, social, cultural and intellectual developments over time. The department’s goal is to train its majors to think critically about the events and forces that have shaped the modern world, to analyze and interpret sources and evidence, and to view issues from a variety of perspectives.

Courses in American, Latin American, Canadian, British, European, African, Chinese, Japanese and ancient history are offered. Other courses deal with such diverse themes as the history of technology and industrialization, gender, cities, military history, sports, popular culture, documentary film, oral history, the law, and the history of ideas.

The history major encourages you to take courses in a variety of cultural areas and to conduct research in primary sources, but has the flexibility to provide you with opportunities to pursue interests in other disciplines.

American studies is an interdisciplinary major based on the idea that institutions and values of a society comprise a whole, not merely the sum of its parts. In the absence of this, an understanding of American life may be obscured within the framework of a single discipline. This major consists of preliminary courses dealing with American literature, history, and popular culture, as well as intermediate and advanced courses that include a seminar in contemporary American culture.

History alumni have gone on to successful careers in business, ranging from managers, data analysts, and sales representatives, to controllers and executives. Others work in professions including medicine, religion, library science, journalism, art, music, airline piloting and the military. History is an ideal preparation for law school and M.B.A. studies.