History

Major, Minor

How we work

1. You'll be a working historian from the moment you walk in the door. In 100-level history classes, textbooks take a back seat to primary sources. You'll study everything from newspaper articles and photographs to pottery and furniture. In upper-level history courses, you'll zero in on your own interests. Instead of a single capstone experience, you'll take three 300-level courses of your choice. In each, you'll complete a project based on first-hand research from primary sources. You won't leave Knox with a single independent research experience under your belt—you'll have many, each on a different subject under the supervision of a different faculty member.
2. We uncover the roots of contemporary society. We love learning about the past, but that's not the only reason we study history. We believe that a background in history makes us more grounded global citizens. You'll understand cause and effect, learn about change over time, and take a long-term point-of-view. You'll know that people have survived before, people have resisted before, and people have grown before. Joshua Althoff, '19 recently explored the history and memorialization of Revolutionary War in the Midwest in his Honors Project, "Seeing George Rogers Clark: Native American Nations and the Illinois Campaign."
3. We immerse ourselves in history. Students in History of Ancient Rome may find themselves re-enacting Roman battles with pool noodles to learn how centurions once fought. In Museums, Monuments, and Memory, you'll learn the theory of museum practice, then put it to use by collaborating with your classmates to construct an exhibit inspired by local history. Past topics include the Lincoln-Douglas Debate, a history of Galesburg through local streets, and the history of Captain America. 
4. We are absorbed by questions of power and inequity. As we study the past, we are committed to finding the voices that have been left out of the narrative. Slavery in the Americas won't just concentrate on those who bought and sold human beings; instead, the course reclaims the voices of the enslaved, focusing on their humanity. We believe that by centering the stories of women, people of color, the LGBTQAI+ community, and people from all over the world, we are able to form a more complete picture of the past.
5. We prepare you to succeed in whatever you do. Many students gain practical experience and prepare for their futures through Honors Projects. Sarah Pawlicki, '17 is pursuing a Ph.D. in History with a focus on public history and the Native history of early colonial New England. At Knox, Pawlicki completed and Honors Project titled, "Mat Nowawtau Hetté Mina: Indigenous and Puritan Understandings of Mortality, Violence, and the Human Body." Even if an Honors Project isn't right for you, our emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving will prepare you to flourish after Knox. Your ability to research well, write clearly, and articulate yourself will empower you for whatever your future holds.