Undergraduate Program Overview
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Kristen Neuschel
Phone: (919) 684-2437
E-mail: kneusche@duke.edu
Office: 233 Carr Building
Assistant to the DUS: Vanessa
Jackson
Phone: (919) 684-2409
E-mail: vanessa@duke.edu
Office: 220 Carr Building
Mission
The Duke History major is designed to empower students to generate historical knowledge. Students learn to frame historical problems, analyze and interpret historical evidence, and write compelling historical arguments. At the same time, they develop appreciation for other cultures as well as for enduring human moral questions.
Learning Outcomes for Undergraduate Education in History
1. A History major will be able to identify multiple causes of events and historical processes, and will be able to describe and analyze historical contexts of events, ideas and/or social and cultural practices.
2. A History major will be able to comprehend and criticize established scholarly methods in investigating and interpreting the past.
3. A History major will demonstrate mastery of a field of historical knowledge and will be able to frame research questions in the context of existing scholarly literature.
4. A History major will be able to locate, interpret and analyze primary and secondary sources relevant to research questions.
5. A History major will apply research skills under faculty direction to conceive and execute original historical research and to present it in compelling written argument.
How do I choose a History course?
Virtually all History courses below the number 190 are open
to all undergraduates (with just a few exceptions). Consult the instructor
of the course, or the Director of Undergraduate Studies,
if you have questions about whether a particular course is appropriate for
you.
Click here for current History courses.
Click
here for course synopses.
The First Year link to the left is an excellent resource if you're brand new to Duke.
Why major or minor in History?
Majoring or minoring in History can help you prepare for a variety of careers.
History teaches you rigorous analysis and interpretation of data. It teaches
you to think "outside the box" of your own culture. You learn how
to read critically, argue persuasively and write more effectively. You will
be better able to understand world events and to see them in perspective.
History majors include students planning careers in medicine, law, politics,
journalism, and business, as well as those planning graduate study in History
or other disciplines.
Click here for a more detailed list of other careers that build on a History
major.
Click here to learn more about the History major.
Click here to learn more about the History minor.