Professor John Richards teaching history inside with words on the whiteboard behind him

College of Arts & Sciences

History

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Brandi Pohlmeier

Department Assistant

History, Culture & Society

What is a history degree?

About

When we understand the past, we can plan for a better future. As a history major, you’ll explore and critically analyze important events, people, and outcomes across time periods and cultures.

Fun, exciting, and interesting, a history degree teaches you crucial real-world skills like research, data analysis, and effective oral and written communication. But most important, as a history major, you’ll begin to better understand yourself and your place in the world.

Why study history at Baker University?

As the oldest college in Kansas, Baker boasts its own fascinating past, making it the perfect place to be a history major. In addition to the study of European, non-Western, and American history, you can expect to analyze and interpret the legacy and contributions of traditionally underrepresented cultures and societies. Through directed research, oral history analysis, cultural studies, museum and archival fieldwork, and internships, you’ll engage with history from multiple perspectives.

Whether it’s reenacting famous battles on campus to understand military strategies; re-creating segregated public facilities to understand the consequences of segregation; or studying abroad to learn and become familiar with other languages, cultures, and history, our students have a multitude of experiential learning opportunities to choose from. Many of our history majors go on to earn graduate degrees, either from law school or more in-depth historical programs.

Early Written Form from Quayle Bible Collection

Jobs for History Majors

Studying history opens the door to a variety of career opportunities:

  • Archivist
  • Historian
  • Museum curator
  • History teacher
  • Lawyer
  • Researcher
  • Business consultant
  • Writer

History Course Descriptions

Scholarships

History Majors

The Department of History, Culture, and Society gives these awards with financial prizes to be applied to the following year’s tuition:

  • Mildred Hunt Riddle Departmental Recognition Scholarship for Social Sciences
  • Mildred Hunt Riddle Departmental Recognition Scholarship for Philosophy and Religion
  • Mildred Hunt Riddle Departmental Recognition Scholarship for History
  • Dorothy J. and James F. Hilgenberg Scholarship
  • Gilbert and Martha Jane Lewis Ferguson Scholarship
  • Brune Memorial Scholarship
  • Paul Dick Scholarship
  • Warren E. and Marion Rhodes DeSpain Scholarship in Church Leadership
  • Thomas G. Manson and Frances B. Manson Scholarship

Meet the Faculty

Baker logo

Dr. Ashley Garcia

Assistant Professor of History

B.A. University of South Florida, M.A. New School for Social Research, Ph.D. University of Texas at Austin

Expertise: utopianism, American reform and social movements, 19th century U.S. history

Office: Parmenter Hall 18

John Richards

Associate Professor of History, Walter Bailey Chair of Humanities

B.A., M.A. University of Kansas; ABD Brown University

Expertise: dynastic Egypt, ancient Greece and Rome, early medieval Europe

Office: Parmenter Hall 21

Dr. Leonard Ortiz

Emeritus Associate Professor of History

B.A. Santa Clara University, M.A. Stanford University, Ph.D. University of Kansas

Expertise: American West, Native American and 20th century U.S. history