More Program Specifics
Understand the courses you’ll take, the curriculum requirements to meet, and the concepts you’ll gain mastery of. This program also offers two minor program options. Get the detailed information you’re looking for.
History BA
With our History bachelor's degree you'll build your future by learning from the past.
Graduate studies, law school and beyond–start strong in RIC's History Program.
RIC's History Program will give you an invaluable perspective on history and world affairs. Join the ranks of history degree holders who include presidents, Supreme Court justices, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, sports broadcasters, Fortune 500 CEOs and Oscar-winning documentarians.
History Career Opportunities
- Historian
- Lawyer
- History Teacher/Professor
- Archivist/Librarian
- Civil Service Administrator
- Journalist
Why Earn a History Bachelor's Degree at Rhode Island College?
- History majors receive a rigorous liberal arts education that develops highly in-demand soft skills, such as critical reading, researching, writing and analysis.
- You’ll explore history and world affairs through popular culture; ordinary people; government and foreign relations; and through the lenses of race, ethnicity, class and gender.
- While pursing your History degree, our specialized pre-law advisor can help you prepare for law school.
- Topics covered include: research methods and skills, the history of science and medicine, ancient history, world history, modern history, art and literature.
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Join Our Community
We're thrilled that you're interested in Rhode Island College and we want to make sure that nothing stands in your way of pursuing a RIC degree. Just let us know how we can help you with your next steps.
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Interested in Teaching History?
If you'd like to teach history at the high school or middle school level, take a closer look at our Secondary Education Program, that offers a concentration in history.
Our minor and undergraduate certificate program in public history is the first of its kind at a public institution of higher education to train the next generation of local and national historians.
History Faculty
Dr. Karl P. Benziger
- Professor
Dr. Erik Christiansen
- Professor
Dr. Sherri Cummings
- Assistant Professor
Dr. Ronald P. Dufour
- Professor Emeritus
Dr. David F. Espinosa
- Professor
Dr. Gregory Golden
- Associate Professor
Dr. Moonsil L. Kim
- Associate Professor
Dr. April Kiser
- Associate Professor
Dr. Harry C. Merritt
- Assistant Professor
Dr. Elisa Miller
- Professor
Dr. Leslie Schuster
- Professor
Hear From a Student
Stephen Morrison
“My college experience presented both an incredibly fulfilling as well as challenging opportunity, having triple majored in political science, public administration and history.”
– Triple Major in History, Political Science, and Public Administration
Shared Goals
RIC history majors are the lively co-hosts of “Operation History”
Program Details
Program/Learning Goals
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- understand how historians gather, interpret and analyze a wide range of primary and secondary source data/material (including literary, geographical, political and socioeconomic material) and how historians construct a coherent narrative from this information
- demonstrate the skills of historical analysis and interpretation, such as compare and contrast, differentiate between historical facts and interpretation, consider multiple perspectives, analyze cause and effect relationships, compare competing historical narratives, recognize the tentative nature of historical interpretation and analyze the influence of the past
- think chronologically and comprehensively, identifying temporal structures of historical narratives and comprehending the meanings of historical texts, monographs and documents, including their audiences, goals, perspectives and biases
- develop research capabilities that enable them to formulate historical questions and themes, obtain and question historical data, identify the gaps in available records, place sources in context and construct reliable historical interpretations
- demonstrate their knowledge of the history, culture and values of diverse peoples and traditions throughout the world and compare patterns of continuity and change
- understand the historical context for the interaction and interdependence of politics, society, science and technology in a variety of cultural settings
- formulate and explain their own interpretations of the past by examining and communicating them with clarity and precision in a variety of oral and written assignments
- demonstrate research skills utilizing the full range of available materials, including those found in libraries, archives, museums and electronic resources
- demonstrate the skills necessary to be an independent and lifelong learner
Minor Program Options
Declaring a minor allows students to explore other areas of interest outside of their majors and make interdisciplinary connections. Minor areas at RIC complement and reinforce all major areas of study. By declaring a minor, students can set themselves apart as a candidate for job, internship, and volunteer opportunities.
Take the Next Step!
Department of History
History is a multidimensional field that historians and students have approached in a multitude of ways. At its core, history tackles fundamental questions of human society.
- phone401-456-8039
- placeCraig-Lee Hall
