A hand holds a paper map while comparing it to a map on a computer screen.

History and Art History Department

The study of history is an engagement with the past — the individuals, societies, and civilizations that have shaped the modern world.

Overview

The McDaniel History Department offers courses and seminars in the social, cultural, and political history of the ancient world, America, Europe, and Asia with many opportunities for double majors and minors to create specialized programs of study. Courses cover topics from the High Middle Ages to Russian History to the American Revolution. History majors have gone on to graduate school and to a wide range of careers, including law, business, education, and government.

History Major: Offers a diverse program of study in the history of the ancient world, Modern Europe, Asia and the Americas.
History Major with Education Minor: For students interested in teaching History or Social Studies and receiving certification at the secondary level.
American History Minor: For students interested in complementing their primary area of study with a background in American History.
Art History Minor: Art History is a discipline that connects history, religion, philosophy, creativity, aesthetics, and issues of style in the study of any period or part of the world.
European History Minor: For students interested in adding a background in European History to their primary program of study.
History Minor: A minor that can be tailored to focus on the students' specific areas of interest.
Public History Minor: Students who are interested in one day sharing the stories of history with the public can add this minor to any major.
Religious Studies Minor: Offers a program of study that encourages students to think critically and analytically about the world’s diverse religious traditions.

Seniors present at annual History honor society conference History Major Accomplishments

Seven History seniors were invited to present at the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference held April 12, 2025. Senior History major Emily Liszewski won second prize in the world history division and McDaniel's Omega Upsilon chapter was awarded special recognition as the “Most Enthusiastic Chapter” at the conference.

Read about the awards.

Bryn Upton, Ph.D. Faculty Spotlight

History repeats itself is one common misconception Bryn Upton hears as a History professor. He believes history never repeats itself — the themes may be similar, and the outcomes may feel familiar, but it is not a repeat. “The less you know about history, the easier that it is to imagine you’d always be on the right side of it,” is a much better expression to Upton, who came to McDaniel in 2002 with a post-doctoral fellowship for Black scholars. Upton teaches Modern U.S. History, U.S. Intellectual History, Black History, and Women’s History.

Meet Graduates of the History & Art History Department

We're proud to call these recent graduates alumni, and prouder still to share a selection of their stories here – told as only they can tell them, in their own words.

Raquel Sobczak
Class of 2022 / History, Religious Studies

Carl Feibusch
Class of 2024 / Environmental Studies - Environmental Policy and Management, Environmental Studies, Religious Studies, Political Science

Sydney Lewis
Class of 2024 / English, History, Spanish

Meet McDaniel: Profiles from the Hill

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Bryn Upton

Professor of History and Department Chair

History and Art History Department

Overview

Majors, Minors & Specializations

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Seniors present at annual History honor society conference History Major Accomplishments

Bryn Upton, Ph.D. Faculty Spotlight

Meet Graduates of the History & Art History Department

Connect With Us

Keep in Touch