How will I benefit?

As a history major you will develop

• The ability to read critically, conduct genuine historical research, gather information, evaluate evidence, debate issues, and place issues in their proper historical and human perspective
• An understanding of the human past: ideas, conflict, ambition, personality, wealth and poverty, social interaction, culture, religious values, politics, and economics
• Critical thinking, analytical-reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent writing and research skills developed through the required research projects.
• The ability to understand and appreciate different viewpoints.
• In-depth knowledge of historical and current political issues.
• Broad knowledge of a wide array of political problems.
• Practical experience gained through internships, civic engagament, and intensive research projects.
• Research, writing, and organizational skills applicable to any career

What happens inside the classroom?

• You'll develop strong writing skills and the ability to present arguments and ideas clearly and logically.
• In the course "The Study of History," you'll learn and practice the principles and methods of historical research and writing.
• You’ll examine the evolution of social, religious, and cultural institutions and ideas throughout history.
• With instructor permission, you can explore in depth a subject of particular interest or timeliness.
• You’ll read about some of the most important figures and events in history and analyze their impact and relevance to modern society.
• You’ll study the development and structure of political institutions, the behavior of groups and individuals in political activity, and the interaction of these components with social, cultural, and economic forces.
• You will learn the components of political analysis and become familiar with recent theoretical approaches and debates, appro priate research techniques, and methods of data and information management.
• You will learn to present your ideas through classroom debates, presentations, and group projects.

What happens outside the classroom?

Internships.

• Congressional offices
• Political campaigns
• State and local government
• Local legal community
• Federal government
• Regional planning and economic development organizations
• Not-for-profit community organizations
• National advocacy organizations
• Concord Coalition

Available in schools, museums, historic preservation groups, and local government agencies, such as:

• SIMPCO, a regional planning agency
• The City of Sioux City Historic Preservation Commission
• The Sioux City Public Museum Education Department
• County Judicial Magistrate’s Office
• U.S. District Attorney’s Office
• City of Sioux City Archives and Public Museum

Off-campus study
Strong relationship with American University’s Washington semester program

Independent study.
Some of the areas our students have recently chosen to explore through independent studies include:

• Nineteenth-century military and political history
• The Cold War
• Church history
• American political thought
• Modern Japanese history
• Revolutions
• Human Rights and Women's Rights
• Modern Political Theory
• International Law & Organizations
• European Politics/ European Integration
• Latin American Politics/Democratization and Globalization
• Congress and the Presidency
• International Political Economy
• American Constitutional Law.

Directed summer studies.
Work on a research paper, independent study, or internship during the summer and complete it the following semester for academic credit.

Community projects.
Use your specialized skills and knowledge in ways that benefit the community:

• Museum work in education and archival preservation
• Participation in Survey Research in historic preservation
• Writing a nomination paper for National Register of Historic Places
• Conducting interviews and research for the Sioux City Oral History Project

What else can I do?

• Promote the principles of your political party, participate in party organization, and develop your leadership skills as a member of the College Republicans or Democrats.
• Work for the local offices of Congressional Representatives or United States Senators.
• Join the Morningside Civic Union, a group that encourages civic engagement and promotes awareness of political and social issues.
• Share your views or report the news in The Collegian Reporter student newspaper or host your own political talk show on KMSC.
• If you’re planning a teaching career, participate in the Iowa State Education Association-Student Program, which sponsors service projects and special panels related to education.
• Serve on the committee that decides awards and plans parties for the department.

Where can I go from here?

Careers.
A sampling of the fields in which our alumni work:

• Political consulting
• Education
• Government
• Armed forces
• Business
• Journalism
• International affairs
• Public service

A sampling of the jobs our alumni hold:

• Manager, Freedom Trail Foundation, Boston, MA
• History and government teacher and head football coach, Lawton Bronson Community Schools, Lawton, IA
• Elementary school counselor, Fredericksburg, VA
• Attorney, Kruse & Dakin, LLP, Boone, IA
• Naval officer, Naval Intelligence, U.S. Navy
• Historic preservation officer, South Dakota State Historical Society, Pierre, SD
• Manager, Danish Immigration Museum, Elk Horn, IA
• Minister, Chicagoland Community Church, Chicago, IL
• Vice-president of Victory Enterprise (political campaign and fundraising consultants)
• Staff members for US Senator Tom Harkin, Representative Steve King
• Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives
• Junior associate at Rawlings, Nieland, Probasco, Killinger, Ellwanger, Jacobs & Mohrhauser Law Firm.

Graduate and professional school.
Recent graduates have been accepted into programs such as:

• Drake University Law School, with a full tuition fellowship
• Historic Preservation Graduate Program at Ball State University
• Fulbright Scholarship for European studies, Brussels, Belgium
• Seminary at Southwestern Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas
• Legal Librarian Program at Emporia State University, Kan.
• MA Program in History, University of Nebraska, Omaha
• James Madison Fellowship Program for Secondary Teachers of Social Studies and History
• U.S. Naval Graduate Program in Military Intelligence
• Rural Development and Planning M.A. Program at University of Western Illinois
• Master in Public Administration Program, University of South Dakota
• Public History and Preservation M.A. Program at St. Cloud State University, Minn.
• Ph.D program in political science at University or Wisconsin
• Graduate program in international affairs at the University of Denver
• Drake University School of Law
• University of Iowa School of Law
• Women’s public policy at George Washington University
• Public administration at the University of South Dakota
• Regents University School of Law
• Northwestern University Graduate School (Political Science)
• University of Kansas Public Administration
• University of Louisville School of Law
• Washburn University School of Law
• Rural community development at Western Illinois University