History

Linda Borish, Chair
Main Office: 4301 Friedmann
Telephone: (269) 387-4650
Fax: (269) 387-4651

David Benac
Robert F. Berkhofer, III
Luigi Andrea Berto
Amos Beyan
José António Brandão
Sally Hadden
Evan Kutzler
James Palmitessa
Ángela Pérez-Villa
Eli Rubin
John Saillant
Larry Simon
Anise Strong
Nathan Tabor
Wilson Warren
Victor Xiong
Takashi Yoshida

The Department of History offers several academic and professional programs with varying requirements. Students intending to major in history should meet at least once a semester with McKenzie Vliek, mckenzie.vliek @wmich.edu. (269) 387-4366. For current advising hours and to schedule an appointment please visit the department’s undergraduate advising home page wmich.edu/history/advising.

History majors lead to the degree of Bachelor of Arts. At least half of the minimum credit hour requirement for any major or minor must be earned at Western Michigan University. Only courses in which a grade of “C” or better is earned may be applied toward a major, minor, and required electives or cognates, including the last semester of requirements in a language other than English. Course work in allied social sciences and humanities is specified by curriculum. For additional information consult the Department of History Undergraduate Handbook.

The Department of History strongly encourages foreign study at one of WMU’s international centers or in similar programs, and acquisition of skills in a language other than English beyond minimum program requirements. HIST 2900 is an orientation course in the historical professions, and to basic research and skills in the discipline and should be taken in the spring semester freshman year or fall semester sophomore year.

Honors in History

History majors may apply for and receive the Honors in History designation on their official transcript. At the time of application, history majors must have completed 30 credit hours in history including 6 hours in 4000-level history courses. Applicants must also have completed at least 90 credit hours overall. At least half of all credit hours and all 4000-level history courses used for the Honors designation must be completed at Western Michigan University. A minimum overall Western Michigan University GPA of 3.5 and a GPA of 3.75 in History is required for the Honors designation. Students must also submit the recommendation of a faculty mentor and a substantial writing sample that shows capacity for original thought in the interpretation, analysis, and effective communication of historical information. Additional information about the Honors in History designation and application forms may be obtained from History Advisor, McKenzie Vliek, mckenzie.vliek @wmich.edu. Information is also available at the Department of History website: wmich.edu/history/undergraduate.