History

Dickinson College

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History

The Department of History exemplifies Dickinson in the way it covers the world beyond our shores; students may study the regional histories of Africa, East Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, or they may explore the diversity of American history. Further, our courses explore a wide variety of approaches that include the history of gender, empires, the environment, medicine, migration, religion, and diplomacy and war in national, comparative, and global contexts.

History majors work closely with the faculty to develop research skills, regularly making use of the rich resources of Dickinsons Archives & Special Collections, the nearby U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center and the Cumberland County Historical Society. Our newest course to make extensive use of such resources is History 205, Public History, which teaches students about the ways history can be put to work in the world and made relevant and useful in the public sphere.

Chair: Karl QuallsProfessor of Historyquallsk@dickinson.edu
Department Coordinator: Madeline BrownAcademic Department Coordinatorbrownmad@dickinson.edu

Phone: 717-245-1521
Fax: 717-245-1479
Location: 219B, Denny Hall Mailing Address

Department Features

Study Abroad

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Current Courses

Research Opportunities

Student Outcomes

Where Our Students Go From Here

Jobs:

United Way of the Midlands
JET Program
Cushman & Wakefield
Temple University
Archaeological Testing and Consulting
Smithsonian Institution
Peace Corps
The Fulbright Program
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Hudson Legal Group
SITE Program Lombardia
Microsoft Corporation
The Democracy Collaborative
National Consumer Law Center

Graduate Schools:

Yale Law
New York University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Connecticut
Columbia University
University of Massachusetts
George Washington University
George Mason University
University of Virginia
Harvard University
Fordham University
Georgetown University Law
Tufts University
USC
Johns Hopkins University
City University London

Where Students Have Interned

Breakthrough Collaborative
Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Organization
National Museum of American History
National Museum of the American Indian
National Postal Museum
Port Jefferson Historical Society
U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center
U.S. Army War College - Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute
Dickinson College House Divided project
Dickinson College Archives & Special Collections
U.S Army Heritage & Education Center
Art Institute of Chicago

Student Perspective

"The opportunity to mingle with professors and students within the department no matter what concentration or focus you are interested in. The history department really fosters an amazing community of colleagues and students who are there to support one another and bond over our shared love for history."

— Kaileigh McNellis '23

History News

All News Department News

Tracing the Journey to Freedom: Students Uncover Hidden History at Historical Black Cemetery

Tracing the Journey to Freedom: Students Uncover Hidden History at Historical Black Cemetery

This long-hidden Black cemetery holds stories about slavery, freedom and family in 19th-century Pennsylvania. Student historical and scientific research helps bring those stories to light.

History Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2026

History Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2026

History majors accepted to graduate school to study education and geography.

Our Resilient Republic

Our Resilient Republic

Professor of History Matt Pinsker discusses his new book and his new Substack and how the lessons of Lincoln's era translate to our own.

How can Gen Z Turn Passion Into Political Action?

How can Gen Z Turn Passion Into Political Action?

"Without passionate people, our political system won’t work as it should." Students connected with young leaders and experts at a nonpartisan event aimed at turning passion into meaningful change.

Into the Dark: Students Experience the Arctic Through Art and Science

Into the Dark: Students Experience the Arctic Through Art and Science

An 11-day journey to Norway's High Arctic through Dickinson's Global Mosaic program offers lessons no classroom could.

Beneath the News Cycle

Beneath the News Cycle

Professor of History David Commins brings nuanced views of the Middle East to his Dickinson classroom, deepening understanding and empathy.