For those who want to pursue a career in history, finding the right schools with good history programs is essential for success. With so many schools offering history programs, choosing which is best for you can be challenging. To help you out, here’s a guide to some of the top universities with excellent history programs in the United States.
Why is it essential to study history?
Studying history is an invaluable asset to our understanding of the world. History allows us to appreciate not only the culture and ideologies of our past, but how we can look forward to charting a better path for ourselves in the future.
By learning from those who preceded us and the mistakes they made, we understand more about why civilizations rose, collapsed, and why certain events unfolded over time. We are also able to gain a deeper appreciation of our own cultures and societies and see how they evolved over time due to outside influences or internal characteristics.
Thus, studying history provides us valuable insight into ourselves and our planet’s past, empowering us with knowledge applicable inside and outside the classroom. Therefore, it is not surprising that so many people want to study this discipline at university. But where can it be done?
Finding the Right History Program for You
- Harvard University
Harvard is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, and its history program is no exception. The Department of History offers courses in various periods, ranging from ancient Greece and Rome to modern America. The program focuses on American, European, Middle Eastern, and Asian history, as well as archaeology and art history.
The faculty is composed of some of the brightest minds in academia, and students are encouraged to take part in research opportunities or internships during their time at Harvard. Students have access to some of the world’s most renowned scholars and researchers, as well as access to hundreds of archives at Harvard and across Massachusetts.
- University of California, Berkeley
UC Berkeley has long been known as one of the best public universities in the country, and its history program is no different. Its American Studies department offers courses on a wide range of topics, including African American studies, Asian American studies, and Latinx studies. The faculty also includes historians specializing in gender studies, race relations, and immigration.
- Stanford University
Stanford University’s Department of History provides an interdisciplinary approach to studying history that encourages students to explore new areas of interest. The program offers courses in ancient Greek and Roman; medieval; Renaissance; modern Europe; American colonial; America since 1865; Latin America and Caribbean; Asia and Pacific Rim; African diaspora; public policy and history; race and ethnicity studies and more.
Additionally, Stanford offers study abroad options, summer research grants and other resources that allow students to take their education further than just the classroom setting.
- Columbia University
Columbia University’s Department of History offers a comprehensive program with courses in African-American, Asian-American, British-American and Latin-American histories among others. The department also features specialized seminars focusing on specific topics such as immigration or modern warfare.
Additionally, Columbia has several research centers dedicated to specific areas, such as social justice or women’s studies, where students can get involved with faculty projects or pursue their own independent research projects under faculty supervision.
- Brown University
Brown University’s Department of History provides a wide range of courses in the U.S., European Colonialism & Imperialism & Globalization Studies among others while offering additional seminars on topics like Native American Studies or East Asian Studies every semester.
Brown also has an extensive collection of historical documents housed at its library which allows students easy access when conducting research projects. Furthermore, Brown’s commitment towards interdisciplinary learning allows for student enrichment beyond traditional curricula.
- American University, Washington DC
American University’s history program is one of the best in the nation.
The History Department at AU offers students a wide range of courses, including undergraduate and graduate seminars on topics as diverse as Native American history, African American history, and women’s history. The department also offers several unique minors, including American Studies and Middle East Studies.
In addition to its excellent academic offerings, American University is home to several museums and research centers that provide students with a wealth of opportunities for hands-on experience. For example, the Smithsonian Institution maintains several satellite offices on campus that offer internships in subjects like anthropology, archaeology and ethnography.
Conclusion
Aspiring historians should consider all their options when it comes to selecting a school with a great history program. Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and so on all offer excellent programs that will prepare students for careers as historians or further study at graduate levels.
Choose and be sure that you’ll receive a top-notch education from dedicated faculty who are experts in their field!