Academic Program

This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2026-27.

Faculty
Professors Barrera, Bouk, Douglas, Etefa, Harsin, Hodges, Nemes, Robinson, Roller (Chair)
Associate Professors Cooper, Hall, Karn, Khan, Mercado
Assistant Professors Bailey, Golaszewski, Newman
Senior Lecturer T. Tomlinson

Today the study of human history is critical to global survival; the experiences of others serve as guides to present and future conduct. At the same time, exposure to rigorous historical method and clear narrative style develops conceptual skills, research competence, writing fluency, and sensitivity to the uses and abuses of language and historical knowledge. The history department curriculum includes courses on African, Asian, Caribbean, European, Latin American, Middle Eastern, and North American subjects, and on contact and interaction among these societies. Majors are encouraged to take courses in related departments and programs. Competence in at least one foreign language is also desirable.

Awards

The Award for Excellence in History — awarded to the student judged by the faculty to demonstrate outstanding merit, perseverance, and promise on the basis of work done in the department.

The Alexander V. Wasson Prize for Excellence in History — awarded annually to a senior major in recognition of a distinguished thesis in history.

The Douglas K. Reading Prize — awarded in memory of Douglas K. Reading, professor of history from 1938 to 1980. The Reading Prize is given annually to an outstanding junior or senior major, with preference to a student of modern European history, Russian history, or ancient or medieval history.

The Scott Saunders Prize for Excellence in History — established in memory of Scott Saunders '89 and awarded annually to a senior major in history who participated in the Colgate London History Study Group, in recognition of work done in London that is distinguished in its own right or which contributed to the completion of a distinguished project.

Advanced Placement and Transfer Credit

Students with scores of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) exam in European or American history will receive credit toward graduation but not toward the major or minor. Those granted AP credit in European history may not repeat  and/or  without permission of the department chair; those granted AP credit in American history may not repeat  and/or  without permission of the department chair. No department credit or exemption is given for an AP score of 3 or for AP courses taken without the AP examination. Majors may not count course credit given for AP in history toward the nine total courses required. Minors may not count course credit given for AP in history toward the five total courses required.

Colgate students may direct questions to the department chair as they consider enrolling in courses at other institutions or in approved off-campus study programs. Any course taken for major/minor credit on a study-abroad program selected from the Office of Off-Campus Study's complete list of approved programs will be assessed to confirm it is a history course and only one such course may be approved. There is an exception: Two courses may be approved for major credit for transfer from an approved program if both courses will be taken in a language other than English. In no case will more than one course be approved for minor credit.

All other requests for transfer of external credits toward the major or minor should be directed to the department chair. Such courses must be of comparable rigor to ones offered at Colgate to be approved for transfer.

Honors and High Honors

Students interested in pursuing honors in a major can find the additional requirements on the relevant major page. Use the links below in the Majors and Minor section to navigate.

Teacher Certification

The Department of Educational Studies offers a teacher certification program for majors in history who are interested in pursuing a career in elementary or secondary school teaching. Please refer to  for more information.

Only Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Graduate students may take graduate-level versions of history department classes, which are given 500-level course numbers. For further details, see the MAT entry under .

London Study Group

Every year the history department conducts a study group in London. Admission is selective and limited to students of suitable interest and academic background. Interested students should inquire the preceding year. Prospective students must take  and  before going to London, and should be on campus the semester before departure. For more information, see .

 

Majors and Minors

Major

Minor

Courses