UMM’s History discipline is unique in that, for such a small, learner-centered college, we try to have every part of the world represented. Our History professors offer courses in the histories of such places as Asia, Latin America, Europe, and the United States. We’re also committed to African history and Women’s Studies and we offer a Women’s Studies major.

By declaring a History major at UMM, you’ll have a chance to work with dedicated professors who get to know you as an individual, not a number. You will also be able to practice and improve your skills in reading original sources, writing, and discussing historical implications and issues. Our History major also offers a senior tutorial where you’ll participate in a capstone experience that allows you to achieve a high level of understanding. Laboratory experiences through the West Central Minnesota Historical Center as well as coursework have led many of our students into the field of public history and employment as archivists, museum directors, and librarians.

Although UMM is a small, public liberal arts college, it has the backing of one of the nation’s top research universities behind it, and nowhere else is this more apparent than in our History discipline. With the access to U of M resources that you’ll have while attending UMM, you can get interlibrary loans, grant help, and even study abroad.

UMM’s History alumni are literally all over the map. In addition to teachers and lawyers, our alumni include everything from bank executives to public officials and custodians, and about 50% of our alumni attend graduate or professional school within five years of graduation from UMM.

The history curriculum is designed to introduce students to the study of the human past. Students majoring in history:

• Learn to approach decision-making with an awareness of a broad range of choices.
• Learn to think critically and communicate their ideas effectively.
• Learn to integrate their academic study with their intellectual and ethical development.
• Learn to understand the construction of historical knowledge.
• Learn how to learn.

The curriculum emphasizes the role of the student as an active learner and encourages individualized learning experiences, including those outside of established coursework, and the development of close working relationships between students and faculty.