History

College of Arts and Letters

Program Description

History, in the broad sense, is the study of all human experience. It examines the people, institutions, ideas, and events from the past to the present. The study of history contributes to cultural literacy and develops critical thinking and other useful skills while helping students understand the present and plan for the future. Historical study provides a solid, fundamental preparation for careers in business, industry, government, and education. It also serves as excellent preparation for law school, foreign service, international work, urban affairs, historical consulting, and library science.

History is an academic discipline offering both breadth and focus. At Sacramento State, the History major includes four lower division survey courses and three upper division seminars. In addition, students choose seven upper division electives from a wide variety available. The flexibility of the major allows students to focus on topical areas such as: women's history, the history of particular geographic areas, cultural history, ethnic group history, economic history, military history, and history from the ancient world to that of the U.S. in the 20th Century. Teaching credential candidates should complete the History/Social Science Precredential Program.

The Sacramento State History Department has an extensive master's program, offering degrees through the Standard Program, and the Public History Option. The History Department also offers a joint Ph.D. in Public History in cooperation with the University of California, Santa Barbara. Applications for admission to the joint Ph.D. are available at the UC Santa Barbara Department of History.

Degree Programs

BA in History

Minor in History

Minor in Latin American Studies

Subject Matter Program in History/Social Science (Pre-Credential Preparation)

MA in History (Comprehensive Option)

MA in History (Specialized Option)

MA in Public History

Ph.D. in Public History

Special Features

  • The History Department administers two interdisciplinary minors: Middle East and Islamic Studies Minor and the Hellenic Studies Minor.
  • The Capitol Campus History Resources Institute, Hellenic Studies Center, North Central Information Center, and the Center for Science, History, Policy, and Ethics are associated with the Department.
  • The California State Library, California State Archives, the Sacramento Discovery Museum, and the California State Railroad Museum provide a rich supply of materials for historical research. Sacramento State history students may use materials from these and other off-campus sources in their work.
  • Internships are available in a variety of public agencies and in some private enterprises. They are open to majors and other students with some history or related background. In the past, students have interned in a variety of California state agencies and in the Sacramento Discovery Museum. The Department office has a descriptive brochure on internships that students are encouraged to consult.
  • The undergraduate major in History at Sacramento State is designed to provide cultural enrichment and a sense of alternatives and perspectives, especially relevant in a society confronted with widespread institutional change. In addition to subject matter, the Department gives particular emphasis to various methodologies and ways of thinking about the past.
  • A minor in History can provide valuable support to majors in many other programs, such as Business Administration, Journalism, and Criminal Justice.
  • History courses also make excellent electives, contributing interest and variety to an academic program. Neither lower division nor upper division history courses are designed only for history majors or minors. The Department welcomes and encourages all students.

Career Possibilities

Pre-Law/Lawyer · Journalist · Pre-Theology/Clergy · Foreign Service · Teacher · Archivist · Researcher/Research Analyst · Museum Curator · State Park Historian · Librarian · Business-Person · Writer · Consultant · Historian · Banking · Market Research · Travel · Historical Societies

Contact Information

Jeffrey Wilson, Department Chair
Stacie Tillman, Administrative Support Coordinator
LoriAnn Rodriguez, Administrative Support Assistant and Graduate Secretary
Tahoe Hall 3080
(916) 278-6206
Department of History Website

Faculty

ATAMAZ, SERPIL

BLY, ANTONIO

BURKE, CHLOE S.

CASTAÑEDA, CHRISTOPHER J.

COHEN, AARON J.

DYM, JEFFREY A.

ETTINGER, PATRICK W.

GERMAN, JAMES D.

GREGORY, CANDACE

KLUCHIN, REBECCA

LAGOS, KATERINA

LAZARIDIS, NIKOLAOS

LINDSAY, ANNE

LINDSAY, BRENDAN

LUPO, M. SCOTT

MULHOLLAND, REBEKKAH Y.

PALERMO, JOSEPH A.

QIN, AMELIA YING

QUINTANA, MARIA

SCHNEIDER, KHAL

SIEGEL, MONA

SIMPSON, LEE M.A.

TAMAI, LILY

VANN, MICHAEL

WILSON, JEFFREY K.