In studying history at Bluffton, students acquire such skills through a wide variety of courses, as laid out in this description of the history major. This course of study immerses students in the historical content of a dozen different subject areas through which Bluffton history majors develop the critical skills of practiced historians. Upon graduation, they’ve discovered that these skills serve them well in a variety of career fields. As the post-undergraduate careers of Bluffton history alumni have demonstrated, the history major is first-rate training not only for teaching but for careers in law-related fields and work in government, business and journalism, as well as archival management, museum work, and library science (see What can I do with a history major?)
Program Distinctives
First, the Bluffton History department approaches the study and craft of history fully accepting of students from a variety of traditions and backgrounds, but also does so in conversation with the college’s mission and heritage. Bluffton history faculty have been servants of the church, active in various peace and reconciliation efforts, and remain deeply committed to the department’s mission.
Secondly, history department professors are committed practitioners of their craft. They possess doctorates from eminent graduate programs, and are the authors of a number of well-respected books and journal articles in a variety of areas. They have won awards for both their teaching and research and remain active, publishing historians busily engaged in different research and writing projects.
Thirdly, Bluffton’s history professors believe deeply in the value and merits of student research. Not only does this happen in the regular course of study in the major but in recent years history faculty have worked hard to encourage student research and writing beyond the strict confines of class. Not long ago, for example, students engaged in collaborative research with one Bluffton professor in creating a web-site on their research into the history of a local urban neighborhood, Lima’s Old North End. More recently, in conjunction with the Pathways to Mission and Vocation Program at Bluffton, two students have been recipients of special summer historian research grants to engage in primary research of their own beyond the academic year. Finally, as part of the major students can elect to pursue various internship possibilities where they can further explore various career possibilities.
Fourthly, the Bluffton history department believes that history should occur in conversation with others, and in recent years have welcomed eminent scholars to campus to deliver special lectures to history majors. Among these have been Dr. Joan Cashin of Ohio State University, Dr. George Rable of the University of Alabama and Dr. Joanne Passet of Indiana University East (the latter two scholars are alumni of the department).
Finally, the Bluffton history department believes deeply that in studying history, students should work hard, write a lot, engage in much research and discussion, and also have fun in doing it. In recent years many history students have busied themselves with the many different gatherings of the Bluffton History Club and also have taken various field trips as part of regular course offerings.
