History
Dr. Stacey Robertson
smr@bradley.edu
The Degree
Bradley’s Department of History offers an undergraduate curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in History. The purpose of the program is to help students gain an understanding of the contributions of individuals and the world’s civilizations through history. By studying the past, one receives an understanding of how events and decisions made long ago influence contemporary life.
Students in Bradley’s History program work directly with distinguished faculty both in and out of the classroom. One faculty member holds the distinguished endowed Oglesby Professorship of American Heritage, and two others have received the University’s Rothberg Research Award. Some of the specialized interests of Bradley’s History faculty include:
- American urban history
- Medieval Europe
- Women’s roles throughout history
During their senior year, students in the program gain professional experience as they take a seminar involving specialized research culminating in an extensive paper.
Outside of the classroom, Bradley History majors enjoy many cocurricular and cooperative learning activities, including a cross-cultural component which enables students to study abroad. Bradley offers study abroad programs in many locations, including:
- Dublin
- Vienna
- London
- Budapest
- Helsinki
- Beijing
- Berlin
- Paris
- Cairo
Students may also choose to be inducted to Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society.
Bradley History graduates enjoy an excellent placement rate. Although the benefits of historical study are not primarily career oriented, the skills acquired with a study of history benefit both the graduate and employer. History is among the most versatile of all liberal arts majors. The critical thinking skills and communications skills acquired make history graduates valuable in the business world. The largest percentage of history graduates pursues business careers. Others, who choose not to go directly to graduate or professional schools, are employed in:
- education
- insurance
- publishing
- government positions
- archival and museum positions
- library science
- law
