The study of history itself is paramount for understanding how the world works and how our own lives are affected each and every day. As Pulitzer Prize winning author, David McCullough, aptly states: “A nation that forgets its past can function no better than an individual with amnesia.”
History
WHY STUDY HISTORY AT CHC?
As a history major and graduate of Chestnut Hill, your classroom study will be paired with incomparable real-world experiences both in and around the College. Through courses that go beyond just a traditional study of the past, CHC students leave as problem solvers, prepared to change the world through their knowledge and critical thinking skills.
To their benefit is a liberal arts education that in history bears vital importance as it gives students a well-rounded background for understanding the past and impacting the future.
The History Department provides a true holistic education with a focus on collaborative and interactive learning. Class sizes are small and students are expected to produce evidence of critical thinking and integrated learning on essay exams, papers, and oral presentations. Students have the opportunity to meet international scholars during the department-sponsored “Legacy Conference” series and attend conference sessions and receptions for keynote speakers
Additionally, the History faculty at CHC, who bring a variety of historical backgrounds to their instruction, develop one-on-one relationships with their students. They are available to help students and guide them when necessary, and actively listen to and engage with all students.
If you think a history degree pigeonholes you into a career within the field, think again. Among the skills history majors develop are critical thinking, research backgrounds, flexibility, persuasive techniques and the ability to effectively collaborate with others, all of which employers of any company look for in a prospective candidate. Additionally, CHC provides a liberal arts degree which allows history to be blended seamlessly with issues of social justice, globalization, education and sociology among others, further enhancing one’s resume to work in a variety of fields. Our majors have gone on to hold jobs in numerous and varied fields, including work in publishing agencies, as professors, attorneys, company executives, journalists, archivists, museum curators, government employees and much more.
Furthermore, many of our students have gone on to pursue post-graduate education at prestigious institutions across the country, including:
- University of Delaware
- The Johns Hopkins University
- New York University
- Villanova University, School of Law
- George Mason University
- Temple University
- Drexel University, School of Law
- Rutgers University
- LaSalle University
- Clarion University
- National Intelligence University
- American Military University
- Cooperstown Graduate Program, SUNY-Oneonta
- The Catholic University of America
Internships:
As one of the most historic areas in our nation, Philadelphia offers history majors a plethora of unique and diverse institutions to get “hands-on learning” to complement their academic course of study. Students are encouraged to do an internship in the course of their study in the major to gain practical professional experience. Students have completed internships in a variety of institutions including:
- Chestnut Hill Conservancy
- Germantown Historical Society
- Eastern State Penitentiary
- Gettysburg
- Museum of the American Revolution
- Hope Lodge
- KYW Radio
- Department of Veteran Affairs
- Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies
- Clink Prison Museum, London, England
The History Club is one of the oldest and most active student organizations on campus, sponsoring popular on-campus film series, guest lectures, and trips to places such as Independence Hall, Ellis Island, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Museum of the American Revolution, the Museum of Jewish Heritage, Women’s Rights National Historic Park at Seneca Falls, NY, and the African American History Museum.
The History program also has charter membership in Phi Alpha Theta, the national honor society in history. Students are encouraged to participate in annual PAT conferences and are eligible to apply for small scholarships to pursue graduate work in history.
Secondary Education Certification:
The Secondary Education Certification Program in Social Studies (Grades 7 -12) is available to History majors seeking Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Certification.
The Program integrates educational theory and practice with field experiences that include practicum and student teaching, as well as opportunities to develop teaching competence through innovative and effective approaches to the educational process with focus on students at the Secondary Level.
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David Contosta, Ph.D.
Chair, History
Professor of History- Program(s):History
- 215-248-7190
- contosta@chc.edu
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Lorraine Coons, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita of History
College Archivist- Program(s):History
- 215-248-7181
- lcoons@chc.edu
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Suzanne del Gizzo, Ph.D.
Chair, Center for Integrated Humanities Professor of English