History

Illustrative image showing the globe on a classical map with the Detroit Mercy Department of History logo

Major in History; Shape Your Renaissance

The legacy of our past paves the way to creating our future. Uncover new perspectives and insights from ancient civilizations. Understand the struggles and strengths that have shaped the United States. We'll teach you how to research the past like a history detective, develop your analytical skills and your writing—three skills in top demand by today's employers.

Our mission is to provide you with a solid grounding in modern global and American history and prepare you for a career you will love and be passionate about, such as teaching, graduate study and law.

In addition to the traditional history curriculum, undergraduate majors are encouraged to enrich their understanding of the past through internships, involvement in Phi Alpha Theta/History Club and other relevant activities.

Part of the uniqueness of the department is the fact that it hosts two significant research archives: the Black Abolitionist Archives and the Carney Latin American Solidarity Archive. Students are encouraged to make use of these resources, both by gaining practical experience in the archives and by using them in their research for courses.

Learn from Diverse History Courses

Some course content includes:

  • United States History
  • Modern World History
  • African American History
  • Latinx History
  • War, Diplomacy and Terrorism

 

Pick an Area that Interests You:

  • Intelligence
  • Public History
  • Pre Law
Kenneth W. Donaldson '21

Kenneth W. Donaldson '21,
political science major, history minor

Legal Studies Award recipient,
2021 College of Liberal Arts & Education

"I chose to add a history minor to my political science major because I believe the two are highly complementary. When learning about the philosophy of government and different ways to govern, I have found having a historical context to lean on, examine, and juxtapose both the good and the bad I believe is imperative."

Stevie Jones '17

Stevie Jones '17,
history major, African American studies minor

Production Assistant, "FRONTLINE," PBS

"I transferred to University of Detroit Mercy after having gone to three different universities prior. I finally felt at home as a Titan and I’m forever grateful to the history department for welcoming me with open arms. I’d have to say the Civil Rights Movement travel course is the fondest memory of my education. It’s an experience I still cherish to this day."

Robert Rouse '08

Robert Rouse '08,
double-major in history and intelligence analysis

National Security Agency (NSA)

Robert Rouse has lived a well-rounded and interesting life—having lived and worked in 10 states and 4 countries. Rouse currently works for the National Security Agency (NSA) and was a distinguished graduate of Detroit Mercy’s Intelligence Analysis Program. In 2003, he enrolled at Detroit Mercy as a history major and worked as a student employee at 45 years of age. While enrolled, he took on the monumental task of creating the Universities Audio-Visual department and was leading a team of 30 student employees his final year.

James S. Hofman '21

James S. Hofman '21,
psychology major, history minor

"The professors in the history department are some of the brightest and most enjoyable faculty at the University. In any history course, the professors implore students to dig deeper; encouraging dynamic discussions about the implications of past events resulting in engaging and thought-provoking classes that leave the students excited for the next one."

David P. Bryk

David P. Bryk,
unclassified major

"I recently completed HIS 2500: United States to 1877. It was a great class and Daniel Kroupa was my instructor. My last USA history class was in high school nearly 50 years ago."

Farhad Baghaie

Farhad Baghaie,
Doctor of Dental Surgery degree

"Originally, taking a history course was a requirement for graduation. However, History at Detroit Mercy changed my perception on how fascinating the topics can be. I have Greg Sumner to thank for that."

Undergraduate Programs

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  •  

    Major - History

    Degree: Bachelor of Arts
    Major: History

    University of Detroit Mercy's  Bachelor of Arts with a major in history plays an integral role in the University's liberal arts education and provides the foundation for a variety of career paths including medicine and law.

    Our program:

    1. Provides students in all colleges and programs opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of the contemporary world through a critical knowledge of the past;
    2. Creates opportunities to cultivate skills that build a great future including analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and interpreting historical evidence.

    To obtain this undergraduate degree, the student must fulfill the requirements of the University core curriculum, the requirements for the 36-credit-hour program major and have completed a minimum of 120 credit hours.

    Curriculum & Course Information ▶

  •  

    Minor - History

     

    University of Detroit Mercy's history minor consists of 18 hours of approved coursework with at least an overall C average. You have the freedom to choose the area of history that interests you, such as United States history, the European sequence or take a more World viewpoint. An exit interview and mini-portfolio are required at the end of the coursework. For additional information, please contact Dan Kroupa at kroupadr@udmercy.edu.

    Curriculum & Course Information ▶

  •  

    Minor - Museum Studies

    The minor in Museum Studies, when completed in conjunction with a relevant academic major, will prepare students for entry-level positions in museums and related cultural institutions and to enter graduate programs in museum studies and related fields. This includes a wide range of types of museums: art museums, natural history museums, museums of science and technology, history museums, planetariums, botanical gardens and zoos.

    University of Detroit Mercy is ideally positioned to offer a minor in Museum Studies. Metropolitan Detroit has a large number and variety of museums and related cultural institutions, which enrich student experiences in the minor, act as living laboratories for museum studies courses and provide a substantive choice of internship sites.

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Careers

Undergraduate history majors follow a variety of career paths.

Teaching at community colleges or universities requires additional graduate education in History, usually the Ph.D. Majors interested in pursuing graduate education in history should consult their advisor in the Department of History.

Another traditional option has been the law. Those considering this career path should consult University of Detroit Mercy's Pre-Law Program.

A significant and growing number of undergraduate History majors go into government service or what is known as public history, careers which bring awareness and understandings of the past before a broad public audience. The latter includes careers in:

  • museums
  • archives
  • editing and publishing
  • and historic site preservation.

Another area with growing career opportunities is intelligence. Agencies view an undergraduate major in history as an important area of preparation for intelligence analysis.

Many History majors end up in the business world, employing the many transferable skills they have learned.

Faculty

Finkenbine picture

Roy E. Finkenbine
Professor of History
* Department Co-Chair
Director of the Black Abolitionist Archive
Interim Director of African American Studies
313-993-1016
finkenre@udmercy.edu

Kroupa picture

Daniel Kroupa
Lecturer II of History
Director of Museum Studies
Director of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program
313-993-1024
kroupadr@udmercy.edu

Sumner picture

Gregory Sumner
Professor of History
* Department Co-Chair
313-993-1121
sumnergd@udmercy.edu

Williams picture

Justin Williams
Associate Professor of History
Director of the African American Studies Program
313-993-1099
williaj47@udmercy.edu


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