Skip to main content

History

Available as a major or minor

When you study history you gain strong research, critical thinking, and writing skills through extensive projects and one-on-one work with professors. Roanoke's History Department boasts as many tenured professors as some large state institutions. They teach everything from Latin American and African history to European and public history. 

At Roanoke, you'll get to experience history firsthand. You'll search for artifacts during archaeological digs and intern with Virginia's Department of Historical Resources. You'll have opportunities to study in England, Germany, Argentina, South Africa, and many other places through Roanoke's May Term history classes and another study abroad opportunities.

.

hand on a book

Curriculum & Courses

HIST 213: Age of Alexander the Great
HIST 246: The Holocaust
HIST 273: Latin American Revolutions 
HIST 277: American Tourist in Rome (May Term course in Italy)
HIST 284: Modern Middle East

Student standing in front of records for the Center for Studying the Structures of Race

Student Experiences

A history major, Daniel channeled his love for folk music into his academic work, which opened the door to earning a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Scotland.

Tyler Merrill pictured outside the museum

An internship at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum meant Tyler Merrill spent his fall days in downtown Washington, D.C., just a few blocks from the National Mall.  Along with other participants in the Lutheran College Washington Semester program, he took classes, went on weekly field trips and volunteered with non-profit organizations. The Holocaust Museum was of particular interest to Merrill, a history major with plans to teach high school, coach a swimming team and possibly enter law school a little later in life.

Merrill says his most memorable experience in the nation's capital was volunteering as an advocate for homeless and runaway youths. "D.C. has wonderful programs for the homeless," he says. "It's phenomenal...I was left with a passion for getting involved and doing my part to help right some wrongs."

What Makes Roanoke Different?

“What I love most about Roanoke's history department is the interaction you have with professors and the passion they have for teaching and the subjects they teach.”

John Stang '12

Learn by Doing

  • Homecoming Day

    On Homecoming Day, the Society puts on a series of events to honor first president David F. Bittle. The event begins with a parade to the cemetery to meet Bittle face-to-face, and concludes on the back quad with a bonfire.

    Students in the cemetery on the Hill
  • Homecoming Bash

    After the sun sets on Homcoming  Day, the Society celebrates Bittle's Birthday. The karaoke performances of students and faculty make it a night to remember.

    Students at a bonfire
  • History Through the Lens

    The Historical Society hosts a film series every year, with faculty introducing films dealing with, or from, the past. 

    Students watching a movie hosted by the Historical Society
  • Historical Dress-up Day

    Each year on Founder's Day, the Living History Lab helps faculty, staff and students dress for a particular era in time. 

  • Departmental Colloquia

    Every semester, the Historical Society hosts a series of events designed to promote historical understanding and the career prospects of our students.  

    President Maxey giving a speech at a history department event
  • Spring Picnic

    Each year at the end of the spring semester, the department and the Historical Society host a picnic for our students on the department's deck.

    Students at the spring picnic

Careers & Outcomes

Logos of The Met, GE, U.S. Air Force, Smithsonian Institution and Lockheed Martin

Faculty

Department:
Phone:
Fax:
MailingAddress:
Location:
Email:
Links:
Department:
Phone:
Fax:
MailingAddress:
Location:
Email:
Links:
Department:
Phone:
Fax:
MailingAddress:
Location:
Email:
Links:
Department:
Phone:
Fax:
MailingAddress:
Location:
Email:
Links:
Department:
Phone:
Fax:
MailingAddress:
Location:
Email:
Links:
Department:
Phone:
Fax:
MailingAddress:
Location:
Email:
Links:
Department:
Phone:
Fax:
MailingAddress:
Location:
Email:
Links:
Department:
Phone:
Fax:
MailingAddress:
Location:
Email:
Links:
Department:
Phone: