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History

School of Liberal Arts

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History at Marist: Learn From the Past for a Better Future

Study the past, make better decisions in the present, and create a better future. History majors at Marist gain real-world knowledge and skills by exploring global history to gain a greater understanding of the world. We connect classroom learning, research, civic engagement, and internships in order for you to apply the lessons of history to tomorrow’s world. 

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Student Learning Outcomes >

Take History Courses Focused On Your Interests

Marist’s History program offers students broad exposure to American, European, and Global history, and allows students to specialize in an area of interest.

Have an interest in American history?

Take courses such as “U.S. Women’s History” and “African American History.”

Passionate about global affairs?

Take courses like “Modern Latin America” and “Women in Asia.”

Interested in European history?

Sample courses like “Medieval Europe” and “The French Revolution and Napoleon.”

Curious about upper level seminars?

They often include courses like “Sex, Death, and Disease,” “History of American Feminism,” “Rock ’n Roll as U.S. History,” and the “FDR Seminar.”

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Customize Your History Curriculum

Along with interesting and unique coursework, the History program at Marist offers a major and a minor, and students can complete a Public History concentration as part of their major. In addition, our students can combine their history major with a Master’s Degree in Teaching in our five-year BA/MAT program. The History Department also oversees a number of interdisciplinary majors and minors including:

Learn From History Scholars at the Top of Their Fields

Our History faculty are top scholars in their fields and have a diverse range of specialties. While they are active scholars, they also work closely with our students as teachers and mentors, often involving undergraduates in important historical research. Our small class sizes and close advising relationships mean that faculty at Marist get the opportunity to know you personally. Meet a few of our faculty members below, or view all of our History faculty >

Steve Garabedian

Dr. Garabedian teaches American history, including popular courses such as "Rock'n Roll as U.S. History" and "Introduction to Public History." He is the Internship Coordinator for the History program and oversees the Public History Concentration. Dr. Garabedian's book, A Sound History: Lawrence Gellert, Black Musical Protest, and White Denial, was recently released.

Janine Peterson

Dr. Peterson is a European history specialist whose courses cover unique topics such as witchcraft and sorcery during medieval times. Dr. Peterson is the Coordinator our Medieval and Renaissance Studies program and she often takes students to conferences. Her new book, Suspect Saints and Holy Heretics: Disputed Sanctity and Communal Identity in Late Medieval Italy, 1250-1400 was published last year.

David Woolner

Dr. Woolner is an American history scholar who teaches popular courses like World War II and the FDR Seminar. Dr. Woolner is Senior Fellow and Resident Historian at the Roosevelt Institute, and he has published many books including "The Last 100 Days: FDR at War and Peace." A frequent commentator on the links between the past and the present, his media appearances include interviews with CNN, the BBC, the History Channel, NPR, and more.

Professional Research Starts as an Undergraduate

Research is an essential pillar of our History program. You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside leading faculty researchers and to present your findings at professional conferences. In addition, you’ll be able to write articles for the Hudson River Valley Review, a journal published by our own Hudson River Valley Institute. Your research and presentations will provide invaluable experience, preparing you for entrance into graduate school and for your future careers.

 

History majors Sage Kawelo and Andrew Zink assist the Director of Archives and Special Collections, John Ansley, in the curation of an important rare book exhibit, “Black Lit: The African American Narrative.

Prestigious History Internships that Prepare You for the Real World

Whether through Marist programs like the Albany Summer Internship Program or the Tarver Summer Internship Program or through our partnerships with the Hansard Scholars Programme in London and the Washington Semester Program, Marist History students have a wide range of internship opportunities to focus their career paths. View some of the internship destinations our History students have utilized below.

Logos of History internship locations: FDR Presidential Library & Museum, Hudson River Housing, New York State Assembly, Staatsburgh State Historic Site
Logos of History internship locations: Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum, UK Parliament, Marist Archives & Special Collections, Hudson River Valley Institute

Enhance Your Career Possibilities with Marist’s Academic Triangle

Marist’s liberal arts curriculum is so unique because of our academic triangle approach: we encourage you to complement your major with an additional major, minor, or supplementary coursework, as well as internship and research experience to round out your educational career. This trifecta enhances your academics, opening up a wide range of career opportunities after you graduate. Take a look at some real examples of how our History students have been successful with this method:

History Major
+ Economics Major
= Associate Planner, Colorassi & Williams Financial Group

History Major
+ Adolescent Education Certification
= Social Studies Teacher

History Major
+ French Major
+ Global Studies Minor
= Communications Associate, New York Civil Liberties Union

History Major
+ Philosophy Minor
+ Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor
= Director, State Immigration Campaigns, FWS.us

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GLI Scholarship for Incoming First-Year History Majors

The newly established Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (GLI) Scholarship at Marist is awarded to students from GLI’s vast national network of affiliated schools who demonstrate exceptional achievement in the study of history. This scholarship is designed to give majors with a passion for history the opportunity and freedom to pursue exciting undergraduate research and apply it to their future careers. All incoming first-year students, with an interest in history are eligible for one of four scholarship opportunities, and we encourage all who fit this criteria to apply and make a difference with their history degree from Marist.

Apply to Marist

By choosing to major in history, I had the flexibility to study abroad and to participate in two internships. I was also able to engage in a wide variety of history and political science courses which have given me a deeper understanding of history. I feel that my experiences will help me to be a more effective teacher with a lot to share with my future students.

Emma Dionne

History Major, Political Science Minor

Read Emma's Story >

The History Department is the best! It’s like a family. The professors are very invested in you, both as a student and as a person. Many of the classes I’ve taken focus on issues of race, class, and gender, and I find those topics so fascinating. I love modern history in particular because as a person of color, my story is more likely to be included in the narrative.

Sage Kawelo

History Major, Latin American & Caribbean Studies Minor

Read Sage's Story >

The History Department has influenced my life in more ways than they know. Marist is so good at providing students with avenues to seek guidance and the opportunities to discuss where you want to go in life. I’m so grateful for all the mentorship I’ve received and look forward to what’s next.

Andrew Zink

Dual Major History and Political Science

Read Andrew's Story >

With this experience, there are many paths I can take now and many doors that will open.

Daniel Knoll

History/Adolescent Education Major

Read Daniel's Story >
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The Value of a Marist Education

At Marist, we pride ourselves on our dedication to providing our students with a well-rounded liberal arts education that prepares them for practical experience and profound success in their field. But don't just take our word for it - the numbers speak for themselves.

95%

Employed or attending grad school 6 months after graduation

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Of Marist Graduates Participated in one or more internships

82%

Graduation rate, higher than the average for public and private colleges

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Best Undergraduate Teaching

*As reported by U.S. News and World Report.

U.S. News & World Report

Top 10 Regional Universities-North

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Awarded one of America's Best Colleges

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