Areas of Study
European History
Latin American History
Medieval History
Program in HIstory and Philosophy of Science
United States History
European History
Notre Dame offers a well-established program in early modern and modern European History, with particular strengths in religious, intellectual, and political history. Through a series of colloquia and seminars, students are introduced to the major issues and sources in their specialty. Because we have a large and diverse faculty of Europeanists, students in this program have great flexibility in designing their own course of study. They may also pursue fields that bridge the trans-Atlantic world, or look back to the medieval period in Europe. Students may also take advantage of the resources offered by the Nanovic Institute for European Studies and the Keough Institute for Irish Studies.
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Latin American History
The program in Latin American History builds on Notre Dame's long and distinguished tradition of scholarship and teaching on Latin America, a tradition that has expanded notably over the last decade. The program's principal strengths lie in the colonial and early republican history of the Andean republics as well as in the Southern Cone countries and in Mexico and the program supports research across a range of nations and topics consistent with the particular specialties of our faculty.
The Department of History's longstanding strength in medieval and modern European history, United States history and in religious history is a uniquely important asset to the study of Latin America. All students may access a wide range of compatible courses within the American, European, and Medieval fields. The University of Notre Dame has extensive relations in the Latin American region, ranging from student exchanges and cultural events to visiting scholars and research connections. Many of these programs are directed by the Kellogg Institute for Latin American studies, one of the world's leading centers for study of Latin America. In short: Notre Dame offers superb opportunities for advanced learning and original research on Latin America's past.
Medieval History
The program in Medieval History extends beyond the borders of Latin Europe to embrace both the Islamic World and the Byzantine East. The program's strength lies particularly in the cultural and religious history of medieval Christendom, from the Carolingian period to the late Middle Ages, and the Mediterranean world. Entering students must participate in a two-semester sequence introducing the major issues and sources pertinent to the professional study of Medieval History. Students also must study medieval Latin their first year and Latin paleography and diplomatics during their second year. The department provides language-learning opportunities for students whose main research language will be Arabic or Greek. Our library is especially strong in Latin and Byzantine materials.
As well as the medievalist faculty members in the History Department, the University has more than twenty other medievalists in various departments associated with the Medieval Institute. Through the resources of this interdisciplinary institute, graduate students of Medieval History may develop additional fields in theology, philosophy, art, literature, and music. The program in Medieval History at Notre Dame is small enough to allow for much individual attention and yet large enough, by way of the Medieval Institute, to offer a variety of interdisciplinary courses and instructors.
Program in History and Philosophy of Science
This program, part of the Reilly Center for Science, Technology, and Values offers its own Ph.D. in the History of Science, but students on the history track complete a substantial portion of their course work in the History Department. They may choose to concentrate in any of the Ph.D. fields in History. The HPS program emphasizes the cultural history of science and technology, the historical relations of science and religion, and medieval science. Students generally take courses taught not only by History Department faculty but also by faculty associated with the HPS program.
United States History
The study of American History at Notre Dame combines the traditions of an established program with the vitality of a growing faculty. The Department of History is noted for its strength in American cultural, Early American, intellectual, and religious history. Other areas of concentration for advanced study include political history, legal, women's, African American, Latino/a, and social history.