Harold the History Hound says, Study the past, seize your future! and it also says the mission statement of the Department

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Explore your future with the History Department

BS in History
BA in History
Minor in History

BA in Group Social Studies for Secondary Ed
BS in Group Social Studies for Secondary Ed

THE STUDY OF HISTORY
The craft of history interprets the past. History examines the lives of people, the consequences of ideas, and the products of human ingenuity. Historians engage in deep inquiry and persuasive debate. They craft narratives about the past based in evidence. The skills students gain through the study of history allow them to analyze and interpret evidence and evaluate how human societies change over time.

Choose from a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in history, or a minor in history or history of science, or select history as a teachable minor. Careful training in research, writing, critical reading, and interpretation makes history graduates attractive to a wide number of employers who value those abilities, especially in fields of law, library and museum work, finance, journalism, and public administration. Students also study history to advance their own liberal education and to train their minds.

THE PROFESSION OF SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION
Or, choose the major in Group Social Studies that is designed for students seeking teacher certification to teach in high schools or middle schools. Students study a variety of academic fields including History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics. Students acquire a strong background to engage their classrooms with vibrant content. Students have historically had great success in landing jobs in classrooms in Michigan, but also across the United States, particularly in Texas and Utah. A significant number of alumni have gone into educational administration, graduate school, and a wide variety of other professions. Social studies students can choose from a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S). We also support the Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Elementary Teaching major designed for students seeking teacher certification in elementary education.

The Department of History is a unit of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The Public History badge allows students to enhance their degree program through place-based and community engaged projects drawing on current practices and methodologies.

The Certificate in Medical and Health Humanities allows students to broaden their understanding of medicine and health by incorporating the diverse perspectives of a variety of disciplines in the liberal arts and sciences.

a protest photo overlaid with the text Civic Change Agent

The C ivic Change Agent Badge aims to inspire students to align democratic ideals and civic commitment with deep knowledge of context, history, and policy. It teaches students the values and practices required to sustain democracy through formal curricula, project learning, and co-curricular activities.

Annual conference exploring various topics with national and international scholars. Open to all GVSU community and the public.

Annual regional contest for National History Day. For junior and high school participants.

Past locations have included Namibia and Vietnam!

Collection of Veteran interviews and associated projects.

Click to learn more about the History Department scholarships.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Events

Join us for our current events.

a row of books on a shelf with Harold the history hound sitting in front

Recent Faculty Doings and Achievements

Professor Annie Whitlock publishes new book

Dr. Whitlock published "Place-Based Social Studies Education: Learning From Flint, Michigan" in January of 2024. Learn more or order here.

Professor James Smither Publishes New Book

Professor James Smither is the editor of Death and Life in the Big Red One.

Professor Louis Moore publishes book

Professor Louis Moore publishes The Great Black Hope. Read more or order here.

Professor Patrick Shan publishes book

Professor Shan publishes Li Dazhao: China's First Communist. Read more here.

Professor Tammy Shreiner publishes book

Professor Tammy Shreiner publishes Teaching Data Literacy in Social Studies. Read more or order here.

Annual Newsletters

Alumni and Graduates!

If you haven't already, please email [email protected] to provide a non-GVSU email address where we can keep in touch, primarily with our annual newsletter.

READ OUR NEWSLETTER

94% of GVSU alumni respondents rated their academic experience in the History and Social Studies majors as excellent or good.

Erica Vanderlaan, Social Studies '07

Implementation Manager, Munetrix

Ysabela Golden, History '22

Graduate Student, Rutgers University

Mario Pritchard, Social Studies '06

6th and 7th grade world history teacher, River Rouge, MI

View More Outstanding Alumni

Department News

History Scholarships

Give Today

David M. Stark Endowed Scholarship in Latin American History: This scholarship will assist students who are pursuing a degree from Grand Valley State University and have a passion and interest in Latin American history.

Frances Anne Kelleher Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund: This fund is for History or Social Studies students studying abroad.

Glenn A. and Betty J. Niemeyer History Scholarship Endowment: Benefits deserving junior or senior history majors.

Joan L. Chapman Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship assists students from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who are enrolled in either the history or English programs and also demonstrate financial need in covering the cost of their education.