History Mission Statement of the History Department Consonant with the mission of Saint Peter’s University, the Department of History seeks to develop the whole person in preparation for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service to others in a diverse and global society. The study of history extends the mission of the University by preparing students to participate knowledgeably in this society by exposing them to the myriad and varying cultures of the human past.
One Student’s Story “When I came to Saint Peter’s I knew I wanted to major in history, but I didn’t have a clear understanding of what I could do with it. Throughout my four years of taking history classes, I learned how to find reliable sources, how to fact check everything, how to read and write to the best of my abilities, and much more. I also realized that there is no one thing you can do with a history degree. With my degree in history, I was able to join the museum education team at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum. I still use everything I learned in my classes and really feel that if I didn’t get my Bachelor’s in history, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to work in this amazing place.”
Todd Foster ’17, History major and Secondary Education minor, checks out one of the books at the annual department Book Fair & Bake Off.
– Chayanne Hyde ’17, Museum Educator at the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum in Manhattan
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The O’Reilly Family Scholarship is a partial scholarship established in 1990 and is awarded to designated History majors with a concentration in American History.
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During their four years, students will participate in the Platt research seminar which introduces them to primary and secondary sources, as well as historical research methods. In the first semester of senior year, majors must take part in the Tuleja capstone seminar, during which students are expected to produce a significant research paper.
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Inaugurated in 2017, the Jerome Gillen (’66) Summer Internship Program is a paid program which gives students the opportunity to work in a local New Jersey archive or museum where they will gain first-hand experiences working with historical archival materials. The internship is named for Dr. Jerome Gillen, who dedicated many years of service to the University and History department. Additionally, the department helps students secure internship opportunities in various cultural, government, academic, and business institutions throughout the tri-state area to give them a glimpse into the numerous career opportunities available to History majors. In the past, majors have interned at the Charles F. Cummings New Jersey Information Center at the Newark Public Library, The New Jersey Room at the Jersey City Public Library, the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City, and the New-York Historical Society to name a few.
For course descriptions and additional information visit
www.saintpeters.edu/academics 11/21
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The Sawczuk Conference affords those who practice history (faculty and students alike) a forum consisting of the campus community and invited guests to present their research. The conference is named in honor of Konstantyn Sawczuk (’56), who as department chairman, instituted the conference as an annual event.
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The John T. Coughlin History Club is an academic student organization open to any student of the University with an interest in history and the desire to promote the study of history and discussion of historical questions at Saint Peter’s University. Named after a late, long-time professor of the University, the club’s mission is to arouse interest in and promote a respect for the study of history. The club’s main efforts include exposing the student body to moments of historical significance through movie nights and local excursions.
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Phi Alpha Theta, The National History Honor Society (Pi-Pi Chapter) has been active at Saint Peter’s University since the spring of 1970. The society aims at gathering Honors students, both majors and minors, and their professors in projects to foster historical research, presentation, and publication.
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The Department sponsors several awards for outstanding student achievement, including the Konstantyn Sawczuk (’56) Award, the Rev. John F. Wrynn, S.J. Award, and the Cappelluti Medal.
Your Future with a History Degree Graduate Programs: Recent graduates have pursued graduate study in History, Library Science, Museum Studies, Law and other fields. Career Paths: Along with careers in academia, there are many other directions in which you can take your History degree.1 Here are some examples. Museums: The American Association of Museums www.aam-us.org. See also https://www.historians.org/jobsand-professional-development/career-resources/careers-forstudents-of-history/historians-in-museums Archives: Society of American Archivists www2.archivists.org. See also https://www.historians.org/jobs-and-professionaldevelopment/career-resources/careers-for-students-of-history /historians-in-archives Historical Societies: The American Association for State and Local History www.aaslh.org Government: Many history positions are classified under the “GS-170 Historian” www.usajobs.gov (just type “history” into the search!). Also see The National Council on Public History www.ncph.org and The Society for History in the Federal Government www.shfg.org Business: Many of our graduates use their research skills to pursue careers in the private sector. As recent data has shown, employers are looking for graduates who have the skills essential to a degree in the liberal arts and humanities: critical thinking, extensive writing, and in-depth research.2 See https://www.historians.org/jobs-and-professionaldevelopment/career-resources/careers-for-students-of-history /historians-as-consultants-and-contractors for more on private business and media consultants. Visit https://www.historians.org/jobs-and-professional-development/careerdiversity-for-historians for information on careers for history majors outside of academia. 2 For more information about the importance of a liberal arts education in the workplace, see Christine Henseler, “Liberal Arts Is the Foundation for Professional Success in the 21st Century,” Huffington Post, 18 August 2017, ; George Anders, “The Unexpected Value of the Liberal Arts,” The Atlantic, 1 August 2017, Willard Dix, “A Liberal Arts Degree Is More Important than Ever,” Forbes, 16 November 2016; and Mark Koba, “Why Businesses Prefer a Liberal Arts Education,” CNBC Online, 15 April 2013. 1
Major Requirements Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in History In addition to fulfilling the core curriculum requirements (60 credits) including one 100-level History course and one 200-level History course, History majors must complete the following courses: • Main Currents in American History, I & II (6 crs) • Platt Seminar (3 crs) • Tuleja Seminar (3 crs) • History Electives (18 crs) • Electives (30 crs) Participation in the Platt research seminar and Tuleja capstone seminar are required to graduate in the major. History electives must include at least one elective from each of the following four categories: A. Pre-Modern History B. Modern European History C. United States History D. Non-Western and Thematic History The remaining two courses may be selected from any History elective. Students may take no more than two electives with faculty outside the History Department for credit toward their History major or minor. History Minors History minors must take 9 credits in History courses in addition to the two required core courses and the Platt Seminar. In the minor, HS341 and HS342 Main Currents in American History are considered as electives.
Who You’ll Learn from: History Department Faculty Saint Peter’s faculty members are scholars and expert teachers. They are interested in preparing students for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service in a global society. Meet our full-time faculty members: Maria Americo, Assistant Professor B.A., Hunter College of the City University of New York M.Phil., Ph.D. New York University (ISAW) Michael DeGruccio, Associate Professor B.A., University of California – Davis M.A., Ph.D., University of Notre Dame David W. Gerlach, Department Chair, Professor B.A., Boston College M.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh John Johnson, Jr., Assistant Professor B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Rutgers University – Newark
For course descriptions and additional information visit
www.saintpeters.edu/academics