History Department
History Major, Minors and Concentrations
History is one of the top interest majors at Roanoke College. The history department at Roanoke College offers a bachelor of arts in history as well as a minor in History and interdisciplinary concentrations in Public History, Latin American & Caribbean Studies, Africana Studies, Classics & Ancient World, Anthropology, Gender and Women's Studies and East Asian studies.
Unique Facilities and Resources
- Living History Lab
- Archeological Excavation Site
- Roanoke College Archives and Henry H. Fowler Collection
Faculty Expertise
All of Roanoke's history faculty members have earned the highest degrees in their fields. The department has an impressive 11 professorships as well as lecturers with diverse fields of expertise. The average class size is 18, ensuring that students receive one-on-one attention and develop strong working relationships with faculty.
Areas of expertise include ancient Greek and Roman, U.S. Colonial, modern European, Latin-American, East Asian, and African history, religious history, as well as gender studies and African American history.
Real-world Learning
Internships
The department helps history major students find meaningful internship experiences with local and national organizations. Examples include: Historical Society of Western Virginia, Library of Congress, National Parks Service, Salem Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Study Abroad at St. Anne's College, University of Oxford
The program focuses on the literature, history and society of late 16th and early 17th century England, as well as the Elizabethan, Jacobean, and Caroline periods. Tutorial groups are small, allowing for considerable individual attention and active participation.
On-Location Lectures and Simulations
Roanoke's location in history-rich Virginia is a certain benefit to students in this discipline with proximity to Civil War sites, colonial Williamsburg and museums in Washington, D.C. Students participate in simulated Civil War exercises and role-playing experiments in many courses.
Historical Society Welcome to the Historical Society Founded in 1875 by the college's first president, David F. Bittle, the Society is the oldest student organization on campus. The society plans outings ... , the History Department sponsors Signature Events, with the help of the Historical Society. Brief descriptions of the events are listed below: ~ Founder's Day ~ On Founder's Day, the birthday of the Founder of RC and the Historical Society, the Society puts on a series of events to honor the first president: David F. Bittle. The evening begins with a trek to the cemetery on the Hill
Practica
Gain experience in one of these practicum courses - Museum, Public History, College Archives & Historic Journal Editing
Employment and Graduate Study Outcomes
Ninety-one percent of those who participated in the alumni survey indicated receiving job offers or an acceptance to graduate school within six months of graduation. Examples of organizations where recent graduates have been employed include the Library of Congress, Mt. Vernon, Inc., Smithsonian Institution and the State Library of Virginia.
