Department of History
Observe. Interpret. Inform.
Advancing knowledge of the past to understand the present and shape the future.
History has always been at the heart of a liberal arts education, and at WSU, it continues to anchor the university’s core curriculum through the nationally recognized Roots of Contemporary Issues Program. As both a humanities discipline and a social science, history draws on methods from anthropology, economics, sociology, and literary studies to explore the forces that have shaped societies across time.
Our programs span the BA, MA, and PhD, with courses and collaborations that reach far beyond the classroom. From teacher education and pre-law pathways to interdisciplinary majors in Women’s History, Political Science, and Cultural Studies, WSU History prepares students for leadership in a global society.
Through research opportunities, scholarships, and faculty mentorship, our students sharpen their skills in writing, analysis, and critical thinking, skills that carry into every career field. Alumni and student leaders alike credit their success to the habits of mind cultivated in history: asking hard questions, challenging assumptions, and crafting evidence-based arguments.
History is more than a record of what has been – it is a guide to what comes next.
Distinctive Programs & Projects
Roots of Contemporary Issues
Equipping students with evidence-based reasoning, writing, and critical thinking skills that connect past to present
Past as Prologue
Bi-weekly radio stories that bring Northwest and global history to public audiences
American West & Pacific Northwest
Recognized strengths in the history of the American West, Pacific Northwest, and global history
Fallen Cougars WWII Commemoration Project
Honoring WSC alumni who gave their lives in World War II through research and digital storytelling
Hanford History Project
Preserving the complex history of the Hanford nuclear site in collaboration with regional partners
Global Leadership Certificate
The Global Leadership Certificate can be integrate with any major and allows students to gain leadership skills, cross-cultural understanding, and global knowledge.
At a Glance
- Home of the Roots of Contemporary Issues Program, a cornerstone of WSU’s general education curriculum
- BA, MA, and PhD programs with interdisciplinary partnerships in law, education, Political Science, and more
- Faculty-mentored research and scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students
Student Experience
- Small class sizes with engaged and supportive faculty mentors
- Opportunities to publish, present, and share research beyond the classroom
- A strong record of alumni success in fields including education, law, public service, advocacy, business, and cultural institutions
Department of History News
Christianity in America: A conversation with historian Matthew Avery Sutton
The story of the United States is intertwined with the religion despite being a nation with a secular Constitution.
WSU students forge ancient Greek sword for international competition
A team of Washington State University students is preparing to showcase a handcrafted ancient Greek sword at the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) Bladesmithing Competition, held during the society’s annual meeting next month.
As the revolution turns 250, a WSU historian takes a harder look
The American Revolution is often remembered as a triumph of liberty, a clean break from empire that gave rise to a new republic built on universal ideals.
Upper Skagit Indian Tribe becomes 15th signatory of memorandum of understanding
A fortuitous trip to the nation’s capital led Washington State University and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe to codify a symbolic new partnership.