Robert Christman (department head) 

The objectives of the history program at Luther College derive from our understanding of the discipline of history as defined by the American Historical Association, the largest professional organization for historians in the United States:

History is an encompassing discipline. Its essence is in the connectedness of historical events and human experiences. By examining the causes, contexts, and chronologies of events, one gains an understanding of the nature of continuity and change in human experiences. Contemporary issues, ideas, and relationships take on new meaning when they are explored from historical perspectives.

Thus as historians, we can investigate any element of the past we choose, but we are guided in our study by a set of questions that are applicable across time and place:  why and how does change occur over time? How do the local, national, and global contexts affect particular groups of people and influence events? What causes specific events to occur (and when does something that happens prior to such an event have no causal link to it)? The ability to research and answer such questions imparts vital skills for career paths both in teaching (Plan II) and in the broad spectrum of occupations our graduates have undertaken.

Required for a major:

Plan I (non-teaching). The major normally consists of nine courses (36 hours) of history, including at least one course in three of the following areas of history: African, Asian, European, U.S., and transregional/comparative (at least one of these courses must be in African or Asian History). Each student must complete one course in historical methods (HIST 298), two courses at the 300 level, and a research seminar (HIST 485). Writing requirement completed with HIST 485. Students select remaining history courses based on their interests with the approval of and consultation with history faculty.

Plan II (teaching in U.S. and/or world history). Same as Plan I requirements. Students planning to teach in secondary education must also complete at least one certification area (U.S. history, world history, or both) for teaching history in the state of Iowa; a minimum of four courses in U.S. history (for certification in U.S. history) and/or four courses in African, Asian, European, or transregional/comparative history (for certification in world history). Writing requirement completed with HIST 485. See education department for secondary education minor requirements.

Required for the history minor: The minor normally consists of five courses. Students must have at least one course in three of the following areas of history: African, Asian, European, U.S., and transregional/comparative (at least one of these courses must be African or Asian history). One of the five courses must be at the 300 level or above. Students select other history courses based on their interests with the approval of and consultation with the history faculty.

Classical Studies minor: The History Department also houses the Classical Studies minor. For students who may be interested in ancient history, archaeology, and the study of Greek and Roman civilization, including the study of ancient Greek and Latin languages, please see the Classical Studies minor in the catalog program listings.

Courses where region is dependent upon instructor (not tracked in Program Evaluation: History Department will communicate appropriate designation to the Registrar’s Office)
HIST 226 History and Material Culture
HIST 227 Public History
HIST 290 Gender and Women's History

African
HIST 171 History of Africa to 1880
HIST 172 History of Modern Africa
HIST 371 Topics in African History

Asian
HIST 161 East Asian History
HIST 162 South Asian History
HIST 163 Modern Middle East History
HIST 262 Everybody Loves Gandhi
HIST 361 Topics in Asian History

European
HIST 149 Europe to 1648
HIST 150 Europe, 1648 to the Present
HIST 241 Rome: Republic and Empire
HIST 242 Medieval History
HIST 248 The Viking Age: Then and Now
HIST 250 Rulers, Reform, and Revolution: The History of Early Modern Britain
HIST 254 Russian History
HIST 351 Topics in European History
HIST 355 The Reformation in Renaissance Europe

United States
HIST 111 Survey of US History to 1877
HIST 112 Survey of US History Since 1877
HIST 135 African-American History
HIST 235 The Long Civil Rights Era: Black Nationalism to Black Power
HIST 236 Asian American History
HIST 256 Scandinavian Immigration History
HIST 321 Topics in U.S. History
HIST 331 Topics in African American History

Transregional/Comparative: Classes that cover more than one region
HIST 126 Human Geography
HIST 243 Christianity and Islam: Encounters and Perceptions, 632-1683
HIST 271 African Diaspora
HIST 291 Environmental History
HIST 292 History of Medicine
HIST 293 Arctic Exploration and Exploitation
HIST 391 Topics in Africana History