History
As a history major, you will study the past with the aim of understanding the future. Historical inquiry scrutinizes human action and belief, for better or worse. It seeks to understand the forces and trends that shaped events and actions. The historian critically draws upon a variety of sources. Historians not only learn about what happened, they learn how to ask and answer good questions about the past. At a Christian institution of higher learning, we are especially interested in the story of faith and helping students understand the relationship between faith and history.
“The Greece trip, semester abroad in Israel through JUC and my internship on excavation in Askelon, Israel, have prepared me for my aspirations of being an archeologist. I've had opportunities to work with ancient manuscripts in class with Dr. Scott Carroll, and I've been able to meet prominent archeologists in the biblical archeology field in Israel such as Dr. Gabriel Barkay and Dr. Eilat Mazar. The history major courses provided flexibility by allowing me to take courses in ancient history along with U.S. history, thus giving me a broader, well-rounded view." Nicolette Wheeler (History Major, ’10)
Division of History and Social Science
Meet the History Faculty
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
- What can I do with this major?
Broadly trained and enlightened students have the basic skills for success in almost any imaginable vocation. In particular, students develop skills in research, critical thinking and writing. These skills are marketable in many career tracks.
History is also commonly used as a double major supplementing any other major by providing a historical perspective and research skills.
With regard to graduate education, students have many options. The most obvious is graduate education in history. Yet students often successfully pursue graduate studies in theology, law, humanities and other fields. This opens doors to many careers: One can work in ministry, law, politics, education and business, to name a few. Even students who do not pursue a graduate education find myriad opportunities.
Recent graduates are working in business, law offices and web management companies. The three skills noted above are in demand and are often not developed in more vocationally focused programs. In effect, they translate well into many fields, and thus equip history students to explore many options and plot their course in life.
- Why choose History at Cornerstone?
Perhaps the most unique thing about the history program is that in today’s overly vocational educational setting, it does not emphasize preparing you for a job; rather, it prepares you for life. Of course, part of this life is your vocation. To that end, the history program offers much useful training.
The students who pursue a major in history love learning, reading and solving mysteries. They love to travel (often to exotic locations)! They understand that the study of the past tells who we are and where we are going. The history student often has a rich, deep faith embedded in the backgrounds to Scripture and the story of the church. History majors are bored studying the same old things. They love the wide application of a number of areas of study to their own pursuits. Because they love teaching and people (history is the study of people), they are extremely humble about the fact that they are the true Renaissance people who love the liberal arts and hope to change the world.
- Interesting classes I may take?
Historiography I/Social Studies Research (HIS/SSC 451): The first of two sequential capstone courses which address the making of history. This will examine philosophy of history, select historians and schools of interpretation, a Christian worldview of history and pertinent professional issues. It will entail initial topic development and primary and secondary research for a major original research project.
Prerequisite: 21 hours of history. 2 credits
Historiography/Social Studies Research II (HIS/SSC 452): The second of two sequential capstone courses which address the making of history. This will build upon the first course, employing the knowledge, skills and preliminary work from that experience to complete a major research project based upon intensive primary and secondary research. This will culminate with the proper writing and presentation of such research.
Prerequisite: HIS/SSC 451.
NOTE: These courses must be taken in sequence during consecutive semesters.
History and Religions of the Ancient Near East (HIS 432): Examines the geo-political framework of the Near East from 350-323 B.C., including Semitic peoples such as the Babylonians, Assyrians, Arameans and Hebrews as well as the Semite’s neighbors, such as the Egyptians, Hittites and Persians. Special attention is given to their religions and to major cultural developments. Introductory matters for historical and religious inquiry into the materials of the time and region are also covered.
Prerequisite: HIS 113, junior standing or professor’s permission
- What internships or partnerships are available with this program?
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
Grand Rapids City Archives
government agencies
Law offices
Political campaigns
Businesses
International service organizations
- What are grads doing now?
Lydia Baber (’06), M.A. Western Michigan University in Medieval Studies and a Ph.D. candidate at Notre Dame University
Matt Saler (History, ‘08), Web Content Specialist, Elexicon
