History

"Life must be lived forwards, but can only be understood backwards."
- Kierkegaard

With 20 full-time and adjunct faculty members, History is one of the larger departments in the College of Arts and Sciences. Majors choose to concentrate in one area of emphasis: American, European, Asian, Latin American, or African history. Students may also take a minor in history. One can choose from a broad range of courses, covering subjects from ancient times to the present as well as those that utilize a number of methodological approaches, including political, economic, religious, oral, intellectual, women's and social history. If you have a special interest, such as art history or the culture of a particular nation, you may be able to create customized emphases in consultation with your faculty advisor.
The History department offers many extra-curricular activities designed to enhance the learning experience beyond the classroom. Students may participate in an ongoing oral history project, and go out into the community, conduct interviews with living witnesses to historical events. They can also take advantage of field trips arranged by faculty members, both in the city of San Francisco and elsewhere. A student-run history club arranges for speakers, films and social events to bring history majors and faculty close together. Every year, majors with the highest grades are initiated into Phi Alpha Theta, the national honorary society for young historians.