Historians are society’s storytellers — and its most vital critics. They work at finding the truth about the past and pay close attention to the diversity of the human experience.
History students at Hope cultivate a deeper understanding of the past through rigorous courses with first-rate teachers. You can expect your professors to know you by name, and you can develop the best learning experience for you — whether working one-on-one with faculty on a research project based on your interests or gaining valuable workplace skills through a local internship.
We prepare our scholars for leadership and service in a global society through on-campus mentorship opportunities and complementary off-campus study programs.
Within our two major and two minor programs we:
- Offer courses that cover a wide range of time periods, regions and themes
- Make writing a significant component of all coursework
- Emphasize the critical analysis of primary sources as part of historical research
- Engage students in collaborative research experiences with faculty members
- Cultivate a diverse scholarly community
Students can join Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society, apply for scholarships and attend monthly department colloquia. Every year we support student presentations at the Celebration for Undergraduate Research and Creative Performance and honor students through various departmental awards.
Recent student summer scholarship
- Hope College Returns to Vietnam – May Term 2022
- Art, History, and Global Citizenship in Paris – May Term 2022
- Vienna Summer School – June Term 2022
- The Ottawa County Poor Farm: New Perspectives from Data Analytics and Local/Digital History
Recent Blog Posts
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History Course Preview – Spring 2025
Posted by History Department 'Take a look at our upcoming offerings as you begin to plan. Be sure to make an appointment with y...
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Summer Study–Had Me A Blast
Posted by History Department 'Part One of a Two-Part Series Hope College History students spent the summer of 2024 doing resear...
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History Course Preview – Fall 2024
Posted by Michelle VanDenendPre-Registration Advising March 18 – 29Registration April 2 – 5 Take a look at our up...
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My Take: The Importance of Reading Fiction Together
Posted by History Department '2023 Big Read Lakeshore Authors Yaa Gyasi and Jerry Craft The post
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Dr. Wayne Tan, Associate Professor of History, Receives Two Book Awards
Posted by History Department 'Hope College Public Affairs and Marketing. (2023, October 25). Book On Blindness in Early Mo...
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History Course Preview – Spring 2024
Posted by Michelle VanDenendAdvising week starts October 16thRegistration begins October 30th Take a look at our upcoming o...
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Wondering What Courses To Take?Plan ahead with a sneak peek of courses to come.
Hope by the Numbers
- 93%Employed
93% of history grads are employed within six months of graduation
See what our grads are doing - 83%First choice of grad school
83% of history grads pursuing graduate school are accepted into their first choice
- ½+Internship or research
More than half of history students participate in experiential learning through an internship or student-faculty research
Get involved - 12Scholarships
Twelve scholarships are available for history students in their senior year
Learn about our scholarships