What does the History major entail?
Bellarmine's History degree provides an opportunity for rigorous study of the history of diverse regions and time periods from a variety of historical and political perspectives. Students in the History program develop important research, organizational, analytical, critical thinking, speaking, and writing skills, while gaining a deeper understanding of the world and its peoples.
The History program equips graduates to continue in graduate school or embark on careers in both the public and private sectors. History majors work closely with faculty to learn the methods of historical research and use of primary sources to engage in their own original research.
What makes Bellarmine’s History program stand out?
History majors are encouraged to participate in an internship at a local, state, or national organization. The Louisville community provides rich resources for student internships in institutions that archive and research historical documents, historic homes and museums, law firms, government offices, and various non-profit organizations. Combined with year-round support from the Career Development Center, students build their experiences and depth of knowledge in ways that are tailored to fit their needs and in support of their career goals and aspirations.
Through a variety of programs, including Bellarmine Abroad, the KIIS program, the English-Speaking Union, and others, the History program offers students opportunities to study abroad in many different countries. Expanding students' horizons of learning is another aspect of Bellarmine’s mission that the History department takes seriously.
The Student Perspective
Jamie Vickers is a junior double-majoring in History and Political Science. After Bellarmine, Vickers intends to pursue a master’s and Ph.D. in History with the ultimate goal of becoming a professor. She is the current president of the Bellarmine Historical Society.
Here’s what Vickers had to say about her experience in the History program at Bellarmine:
Q: What made you want to study history?
JV: There's such a level of understanding and communication in history—you're understanding people who have lived every generation up until now, and there's just this beautiful interconnectedness because you realize the people I’m studying are exactly like me, and my understanding of the world is built off their understanding. And someday I'm going to be history, and people's understanding will be built off of what me and my generation creates together. It’s just this beautiful, interconnected cycle, and I think history is a really wonderful representation of what humanity is.
Q: How has your experience in this program helped you prepare for life after Bellarmine?
JV: I would say you're learning different areas of history and how they apply to modern life. Something that's important with history is being specialized in a certain area. My professors have really helped me find out what topics were important to me and my future study, and focusing on that has been really beneficial because now going into master's programs or thinking about where I want to apply, I feel very prepared and I feel like I know what my standards are. I know what I'm looking for. When I came into the History program, I had no idea what that was. So, I'm very thankful for that, because I feel like I have a direction, and that's important for professional development and it's important to study something you love.
Q: What about Bellarmine’s History program has stood out to you?
JV: I think there are two things. One, definitely the professors, getting to study with them, their experience—I feel like I'm really learning from the best. But also, looking at our History program as a whole, seeing how essential it is to the liberal arts education here at Bellarmine, has been invaluable to me. Because that's one of the things that brought me to Bellarmine was a liberal arts education, and part of that is emphasis on the humanities. Seeing history as a really crucial piece of that was extremely important, especially because so many universities across the country are cutting back on the humanities. Coming in knowing that was my main desire as a student, I was worried about that. But seeing that history is being promoted and sustained as a part of the liberal arts education, it's important to me. It's what makes the program important to me, and I think it's what's going to make Bellarmine important for a long time.
Q: What attracted you to the liberal arts education offered at Bellarmine?
JV: The emphasis on the humanities, because I wanted to know I was getting a full picture. The pursuit of [the liberal arts] is taking pieces of everything and putting it together so that you have this comprehensive understanding. I'm a history student, but I study things like science and math and philosophy, and I wouldn't have done that anywhere else. Right now, I'm taking philosophy classes and they're so beneficial to my understanding of history. Without a liberal arts education, that wouldn't have occurred to me. I wouldn't have thought it was important. But now I know that it is, and it's setting me up, I think, for future success.
Q: What is the camaraderie like with your fellow students in this major?
JV: I'm the president of the Bellarmine Historical Society, so peer relationships is a big piece for me. This year, I've been encouraged by how excited people are about the History program and I've been able to connect with my peers about what our interests are, how much we love it, and how much we want to promote it and try new things on campus. There is that shared love of history and it brings us all together in class and out of class too.
Q: What kinds of things does the Bellarmine Historical Society do?
JV: The Bellarmine Historical Society has existed at Bellarmine for a long time. It's a group of students—History majors and non-History majors alike—who come together studying history and pursuing our interests outside of class. Some of the things we're planning to do this year are history study nights, where everybody comes together and brings an interest they have and then we research it together and hopefully everybody goes away knowing something new. And if we talked about a topic in class but someone didn't quite understand it, [then we’ll] study it together. Our main goal is shared study and encouraging each other in our interests. But we're also looking for ways to be part of the Bellarmine historical community, like our campus’ history, and beyond that, Louisville community history. So, we're going to be investigating that for sure.
Q: Can you describe any academic support systems in this major, whether that's faculty, student-led initiatives, or university programs?
JV: Something I did last year is the Learning Assistant program, where History majors who have taken the History 120 course Global Perspectives come back to the class, sit through it again, and serve as tutors. We set up study events for the students where they can come and learn the proper ways to, for example, write an essay in the MLA or Chicago format, [or examine] what are the important parts of a historical essay to study. And beyond that we do study methods, like what's the best way to take notes, read historical arguments, and be able to set yourself in the time that you're learning about.
I didn't have that my freshman year, so being able to be part of that program as a Learning Assistant was so much fun. And I knew it was important to the students in the 120 class, because they really did reach out. You know, I think there's a stereotype that people don't actually pursue academic support systems, but I was getting emails and questions every day because they wanted to succeed. So, that's an invaluable program and it's really useful to students, History majors and non-History majors alike.
Q: What would you say to a prospective student interested in studying History at Bellarmine?
JV: This is the right place to do it. We have a wonderful program with expert specialists. I mean, [the professors have] so much experience and they're really going to set you up for success because it's not just about what you learn here at Bellarmine, it's what you're prepared to do outside of Bellarmine and how you're prepared to learn once you leave here. And they do prepare you for that, and they give you opportunities and hook you up to places outside of campus because they want that passion to grow. It's not just about getting an A in the class, it's about understanding the material and loving the material.
Q: Do you feel like your experience in this program has helped you find your purpose or calling for life after college?
JV: Oh, definitely. Like I said earlier, before coming to Bellarmine, I knew that places across the country were de-emphasizing classics studies and humanities. And when I came to Bellarmine and I started studying here, it became even more prevalent to me because I was meeting students from different [schools] and meeting students from different walks of life who had not had that opportunity in the first place. So coming here, getting to study with our wonderful professors and engage in things like the Historical Society, being a Learning Assistant, it really sparked in me a desire to preserve classics and the humanities. I don't think that's something I could have developed without this experience, because it's shown me so much about history and its value for life.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add about your experience?
JV: I love it here. I didn't apply anywhere else, I just applied to Bellarmine. And there were many reasons for that, but I've never regretted it. This is the place for me, and I think it's the place for so many wonderful students, too, and I hope they find it.
The Faculty Perspective
Dr. Fedja Buric is an associate professor of History with a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he specialized in modern Balkan history and theory of nationalism, with a subfield in Russian history. Dr. Buric teaches courses on the modern Balkans, the Holocaust, a comparative history of genocide, both World Wars, the history of Russia, and a history of global revolutions.
The History department takes special care to educate students “in mind, body, and spirit, for meaningful lives, rewarding careers, ethical leadership, and service to improve the human condition," as Bellarmine’s mission statement declares. Buric says the History faculty honor that mission by offering their expertise in the service of student learning.
“In the History program we work closely with each student to make sure they not only grasp the material at hand, but also to ensure they are on the path to graduate and pursue careers of their choosing. We also connect our students to a wide range of internship opportunities and research interests that can expand their networking communities, but also fulfill them in their pursuit of knowledge, the latter being the core mission of liberal arts education.”
Buric adds that the intimate environment afforded by Bellarmine’s 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio creates a high level of engagement in the classroom that enhances student learning.
“Our small classes buzz with vibrant historical discussions, which often carry on outside of class time and into our offices, which are always open for students to drop by and chat about their life plans, history interests, or simply to challenge us on the latest topics we have been discussing in class.”
Ultimately, Buric says that earning a History degree from Bellarmine is more than just a step toward a fulfilling career, it is also an education for a fulfilling life.
“A Bellarmine History degree equips each student with the ability to read, think, and write critically. Being able to see the world around them beyond the superficial level, through an historical lens, and digest it with a critical eye, is a key component to being a fully formed, empathetic citizen. Having learned how to conduct historical research, interpret complicated historical events, and make compelling arguments, students will be able to thrive more easily in a wide range of workplaces, but also in life in general.”
Visit the History program page for more information including program highlights, student involvement opportunities, career opportunities, and more.