About
Notre Dame is a distinctive place, a University steeped in tradition, faith, service, and the life of the mind.
Historically, its mission has been to prepare students to engage the world as it is and to transform it.
The Department of History thrives on and fosters this distinctive mission.
Learning for Life
With more than 200 Undergraduate Majors and Minors, the Department contributes actively to the academic life of the community.
We have given generations of students the analytical and conceptual tools to enter medical school, law school, and graduate business school.
Our alumni have entered leading graduate programs in history. Our undergraduates have become business consultants, film-makers, Peace Corps workers, traders and brokers, and teachers.
We offer a rigorous program of study that allows our students to develop their talents through the study and interpretation of the past.
We study humanity's diverse traditions and how they have changed over time to prepare for the challenges of the world today and tomorrow.
Graduate Success
Our distinguished Graduate Studies program is renowned for its high-achieving students and scholarly rigor. We offer an intensive and supportive academic experience in Medieval, Latin American, United States, and European history.
We also encourage the development of studies in area clusters such as early modern history, Atlantic, global, and religious and intellectual histories.
Many of our graduate alumni have accepted tenure track positions at major research and liberal arts institutions in the United States and around the world, and other have forged successful careers in museum curation, libraries, government, and public history.
Prestigious Faculty
Due to our large and prestigious faculty, the Department of History is one of the preeminent humanities departments in the United States.
We are large enough to cover nearly every region of the world and period of time, and we are intimate enough to sustain close contact between faculty and students at all levels. In addition, our faculty have expertise in diverse sub-fields such as legal and environmental history.
As the University continues to grow and prosper, we are positioned to increase our impact on a global scale.
Statement on Diversity and Inclusion
The History Department affirms the understanding that individuals possess innate dignity, an idea underscored by the Judeo-Christian belief that all persons are made in the image and likeness of God. Informed by the University of Notre Dame’s “Spirit of Inclusion” statement (1997), the History Department welcomes "all people, regardless of color, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social or economic class, and nationality" and works to sustain an inclusive environment.
Donate
The Department of History welcomes your support in any number of ways. We value the time, talent, and treasure of our graduates and friends and welcome collaborative efforts to further our work. Make a gift here or connect with the department about other ways to get involved.
Learn More
If you would like more information about us and our Undergraduate and Graduate programs, please contact us any time. We look forward to hearing from you.
Elisabeth Köll
Chair
Department of History