History

Department Chairperson: Luke Franks
History Faculty

Mission Statement

The History Department is dedicated to informing students of knowledge of the past that provides context and prepares them to be lifelong learners. Students are exposed to major historical perspectives and are prepared to locate and analyze written, visual and material evidence, understanding and appreciating continuities, change and even contradictions in historical evidence and our understanding of the past.

History is one of the integrating disciplines of the liberal arts. It bridges the humanities and the social sciences. It relates political, economic, intellectual, cultural and social forces as they shape civilizations from age to age. Its study develops an appreciation for the traditions of a civilization and a perspective on current events. It provides a strong background for graduate training and the professions, especially law and teaching, or for such vocations as museum work and research. It also provides support of the study of literature, philosophy and the arts.

History requires a broad liberal arts knowledge, and students are encouraged to use their general education requirements to provide a firm base for their historical studies. In addition, North Central College offers special opportunities which can enhance a liberal arts education including: the public history program and internships, foreign language study, study abroad opportunities, Model U.N. and interdisciplinary courses.

Degree offered: B.A.

Public History Program:

Through course offerings and internship possibilities, the History Department offers a public history program. This program is designed to provide opportunities to students exploring careers in public history. Public historians preserve and interpret history for the general public, and they work for museums, archives, local historical societies, and government agencies. Students in this program take relevant courses in History, Art History, and related interdisciplinary programs. They also do internships with community partners such as Naper Settlement to develop specialized skills and gain practical experience.

Programs

• History, B.A.
• Social Science/History, B.A.

• History Minor

Courses

• HIST 101 - Western Civilization I
• HIST 102 - Western Civilization II
• HIST 112 - African American History
• HIST 114 - History of the American West
• HIST 116 - Lincoln and the Civil War Era
• HIST 118 - United States in the 1960s
• HIST 120 - Chicago History
• HIST 140 - Ireland: Famine to Freedom
• HIST 150 - Global History and Geography
• HIST 155 - Going Global: World History
• HIST 165 - Introduction to East Asia
• HIST 175 - Latin American History
• HIST 180 - Global Power and the Middle East
• HIST 185 - African History
• HIST 200 - Historical Methods
• HIST 202 - Introduction to Public History
• HIST 204 - Historical Research Team
• HIST 206 - History and Documentary Films
• HIST 208 - History and Hollywood Films
• HIST 222 - U.S. and Illinois to 1865
• HIST 224 - U.S. and Illinois from 1865–1945
• HIST 226 - U.S. and Illinois since 1945
• HIST 230 - East Asian Thought
• HIST 242 - U.S. Women’s History
• HIST 248 - American Environmental History
• HIST 255 - Greek and Roman History and Historians
• HIST 256 - Renaissance and Reformation Europe
• HIST 258 - Early Modern Europe
• HIST 260 - Chinese History
• HIST 265 - Japanese History: From Samurai to Sony
• HIST 267 - Twentieth-Century East Asia: Industry, Empire and War
• HIST 270 - India, Empire and Violence
• HIST 275 - History of Sexuality
• HIST 280 - Nineteenth-Century Europe: Sex and Mass Hysteria
• HIST 285 - Twentieth-Century Europe: Hitler Versus Stalin
• HIST 310 - Immigration and U.S. Ethnic Identity
• HIST 315 - Public History and Local History
• HIST 320 - U.S. Social Movements
• HIST 325 - American Cities and Suburbs
• HIST 345 - European Intellectual History: History of the Book
• HIST 350 - Science, Religion and Magic in Early Modern Europe
• HIST 370 - Asia’s Rapid Industrialization
• HIST 380 - Holocaust Seminar
• HIST 385 - World Wars of the 20th Century
• HIST 397 - Internship
• HIST 399 - Independent Study
• HIST 470 - Capstone Seminar