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UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN

HISTORY

Why Study History?

Because history opens our imagination, cultivates our analytical skills, and allows us a deep context for the world in which we live. Because no matter your interests, passion, or curiosity, we have you covered!

Geographically, we crisscross the globe: the USA, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East. We examine topics such as immigration, gender, race, medicine, technology, war, politics, religion, culture, and sports, from the ancient world to the internet superhighway.

See Where History Can Take You

Sharpen your thinking, expand your perspective, and build career-ready skills through courses that leverage the past to understand the modern world.

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Want to take a deep dive into History? How about President Nixon’s foreign policy in Vietnam, and the History of the Cold War? Want to read and talk about the diaries of a Japanese midwife in Seattle? Or check out the cultural History of Naples, which is far more than just the story of pizza. Learn about the intersection of race and gender in sports, and the History of soccer in Latin America. You can learn about a wise king in thirteenth-century Spain who may have started the Renaissance, gender violence in modern Egypt, or the impact of the First World War on the environment, race, art, and medicine. Or Jewish culture in fin-de-siècle Europe, and the racial disparities of healthcare in the American South. Discover surprises in your own family History in a course on genealogy. From the Vikings to serial killers, everything has a History, and we teach it!

History students start with introductory courses like History 20: Why History Matters, or first-year seminars on topics such as immigration, race, or fascism. Advanced classes take a global view while building skills in research, critical analysis, and synthesis. You’ll learn to evaluate sources, interpret complex perspectives, and develop skills valuable for further study and many careers.

Careers Paths & Outcomes

Historians work in a variety of industries. In government, some historians do research to provide historical context for current policy issues. Others write about the history of a particular government activity or program, such as a military operation or the space program. At historical sites and within historical associations, historians preserve artifacts and explain the historical significance of a wide variety of subjects, such as historic buildings, religious groups, and battlegrounds. Historians who work for businesses may examine historical evidence for legal cases and regulatory matters.

Hofstra history students enjoy the close mentorship of faculty, who help them to become critical thinkers; cogent writers; and clear, incisive speakers. Graduates aim high, welcome challenges, and are successful in the job market. Read about what some of the graduates from the history program are doing after Hofstra.

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Don’t just take our word for it.

Here’s what some students say about studying History at Hofstra:

Life as a History Major

A young man wearing glasses, a beige blazer, and a tie speaks to a woman at what appears to be a networking event or career fair. He holds a red folder and wears a name tag. Other people are visible in the background.

Recent internship opportunities have included museums such as the Children’s Creativity Museum in San Francisco; law offices; government offices, such as the office of the Town of Huntington Supervisor and the U.S. Senate; political campaigns; and school districts.

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Contact Us

Office Information

Room 301 Shapiro Family Hall

Office hours:
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

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Department Chair

Room 301A Shapiro Family Hall

516-463-5609

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Department Secretary

516-463-5604

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Advisor

Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society

Room 307 Shapiro Family Hall

516-463-5611

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TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR HISTORY JOURNEY

Grow your analytical abilities, deepen your perspective, and prepare for a wide range of rewarding careers through Hofstra’s History program.