Welcome to the Department of History
Our department consists of faculty who are committed to excellence in teaching, research, and serving the university and the wider community. The History Department offers a B.A. Degree in History (with an option of pursuing secondary level teaching preparation), a minor in History, and an M. A. degree in History that combines traditional graduate instruction with training in new digital and media technologies. Our faculty have received praise for their outstanding teaching and scholarship. They offer coursework in a diverse range of geographical fields and time periods, from the classical world to the modern United States.
The History Department has designed its degree offerings not only to increase students' historical knowledge, but also to build crucial critical thinking and writing skills. All students develop, practice and master historical methods that include research, analysis and strategic thinking, writing, and oral presentation. These skills are essential ones, not only for professional historians, but also for a variety of other careers in such fields as education, law, business, and public affairs.
Historical study provides perspective, helping individuals to place their own lives, values, and world events in context, and to recognize the processes of change that have brought us to the present. We are proud of our degree and our students. Please explore our site and contact us if you have any questions at: history@csusm.edu.
Highlight on Students
On April 26, 2012, the University held its Annual Poster Showcase. This semester several of our own history M.A. students shared their research among their fellow CSUSM scholars. The following students submitted either a digital or traditional exhibit. Andrew Aguirre- 70 Years of Kong. Mayela Caro- Anti-Chinese Campaings. Bree Faulkenberg- Big History and the Arrival of Humans. Michael Fay- Simeotics and the Nazi Party. Teresa Hodges- GIS Mapping Education in Los Angeles. Amanda Regan- Sylvia of Hollywood.
2012 Alumnus of the Year
Helene Idels, B.A. in History with Honors CSUSM 1999, M.L.I.S./SJSU 2010 has been awared the 2012 Alumnus of the Year Award. Helene was honored at the graduate reception in May 2011 for her steadfast commitment to the Department of History and for her continuing accomplishments in the historical field. A role model for other students, she is the head of the Pioneer Room Archives at the Escondido Public Library and actively involved in numerous community groups dedicated to uplift and education. (Pictured above with Dr. Peter Arnade)
