History Department     

Department Mission

The mission of the history department is to serve the academic needs of majors and non-majors alike by acquainting them with a knowledge of the past and providing them with the skills to understand and analyze trends, personalities, and movements which have shaped events. As Jefferson so aptly put it: "History by apprising them of the past will enable them to judge of the future; it will avail them of the experience of other times and other nations; it will qualify them under every disguise it may assume; and knowing it, to defeat its views."

Goals of the Department of History

• To allow students to develop a sense of history;

• To encourage critical thinking and the understanding of cause and effect relationships;

• To urge the development of clear and persuasive use of oral and written expression;

• To become aware of the diversity and commonality of peoples through history;

• To appreciate the profound story of our collective past in a variety of national arenas and eras;

• To enjoy the pleasure of viewing life in its previous struggles and triumphs;

• To learn to love the life of the mind and the production of ideas.

History has always been the linchpin of academe to the tradition of humankind and as a discipline is among the most revered and obvious of the liberal arts. All knowledge has a history and the study of history is the beginning of the varieties of knowledge.

Courses offered by the History department may be counted toward some general education requirements or a major or minor in history. History majors planning to continue their education in graduate school, should plan to study German or French while at Elmhurst College (particularly if working toward a Ph.D.)

History majors planning to attend law school upon completion of their degree at Elmhurst College are encouraged to pursue a balanced program between American and English history. POL 412 Constitutional Law is also recommended.

If you have questions about the the department and/or its curriculum or would like additional information, please contact the department chair, Dr. Walter Burdick

Department of History
Elmhurst College
190 Prospect Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126–3296
(630) 617-3073