The department of history provides the means in the liberal arts curriculum by which undergraduate students learn to appreciate the present and prepare for the future by studying the past. To fulfill this mission, the department provides its students with the critical aspects of European, North American, and non-Western history. The department also cultivates in them the skills required to analyze and interpret historical phenomena and show them how to evaluate the writings of other historians. Students will learn the techniques of historical research and writing.

As a result of this training, students majoring in history will be able to conduct historical research, write about historical topics analytically, and apply an informed historical perspective to the world in which they live.

They will specifically be prepared for graduate school, employment in historical organizations, a career in teaching, or entry into professions which utilize a historical point of view combined with research and writing skills.

The history department at Franklin College offers students the opportunity major or minor in history. A student may also earn a secondary education degree with a social studies specialty. Student interested in pursing history as a major may choose to specialize in American Studies or Canadian Studies.

Completing a double major at Franklin is not uncommon for students studying history. While the opportunities are many, history couples with journalism and political science to give added depth and content needed for future careers in communications and government. It is also natural for history students to study English and philosophy or religion.

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Departmental Highlights

History has been a major component of the liberal arts curriculum since the 15th century. Many scholars consider it the parent discipline of the liberal arts because it is the ongoing story of all phases of humankind in society.

History is therefore an excellent background for most occupations and most graduate programs.

The faculty of the history department at Franklin College is dedicated to the intellectual integration of the undergraduate curriculum.

Occupational Potential

Students who graduate from Franklin College with a history major have a number of professional options. Some go on to graduate school in history or some other compatible discipline, in order to become college professors.

History is also one of the preferred majors for law school. Those in secondary education will teach history or general social studies in public or private high schools.

Historians follow other professional courses as well, such as archival research, archival management, historic preservation, museum work, writing of institutional history, and historical editing and publishing. Government agencies, businesses, and international corporations are now looking for employees with a substantial liberal arts background.

Internships

Franklin College's academic calendar consists of two 15 week semesters and a one-month winter term during the month of January. During the winter term, students take a single course or internship.

Freshmen must take a leadership winter term course but, after your freshman year, you are able to take an internship during winter term. This allows you to begin exploring a potential career by spending an entire month working 40 hours/week in an area of your interest.

Students may set up their own internships, seek advice about internships from the history faculty, or seek input from Career Services about possible internships.

Franklin College faculty and the Career Placement Center work closely to place students in internship experiences in a variety of settings.

Recent placements include:

• Indiana Historical Society
• Indiana State Museum
• Indianapolis Children’s Museum
• Historic Preservation Work
• Indiana State House
• Law firms in Indianapolis and other communities