History
Overview
Interested in exploring the past? Eager to analyze the impacts of religious faith, migrations, conquests, politics and daily life on the development of human cultures? Gordon’s history program will equip you with a historical understanding of human experience, informed by Christian faith, in a broad chronological and geographical framework. Develop a deep understanding of the ideas, people and problems that have shaped the world we live in. Our graduates are prepared for diverse careers in museums, law, education, ministry, government, journalism and nonprofit organizations.
Why study history at Gordon?
Gordon’s location in New England is close to rich historical sites and world-class cultural institutions, from the Salem Maritime National Historic Site to the Museum of Fine Arts, the Boston Public Library and beyond. Situated where the Great Awakening, the American Revolution and other key historical events took place, you’ll get to explore these areas through classes, field trips and on your own time.
At Gordon you’ll receive personalized mentoring from our experienced faculty; explore exciting research topics; and pursue internships at local museums, historical sites or even the State House. Through our partner institution, Plimoth-Patuxet Museums, you could also spend a summer interning in Plymouth, MA.
Choose a concentration to delve more deeply into a particular area of interest:
- Early Christianity: Explore Church history to understand your spiritual ancestry and its impact on your life and the world.
- Public history and museum studies: Combine history with the practical aspects of museum management and curation.
What can Christians bring to the study of history?
Christianity is a historical faith, and studying history can help you better understand what your faith is grounded on. A Christian worldview also gives us a clearer understanding of who human beings are: created in the image of God, ensnared by sin, yet open to Christ’s redemption. Recognizing Christ’s command to love our neighbor as ourselves, Christian historians can bring truth, hope and reconciliation to a world full of misunderstanding, division and pain.
| Degree | Bachelor of Arts, Minor |
|---|---|
| Program Level | Undergraduate |
| School | School of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Program Format | In-Person |
Learn more
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Courses
History Courses
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Degree Options
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Concentrations
A concentration is an area of focus that may be added to your degree.
Experiential Learning
Get hands-on experience outside the classroom through:
- The Jerusalem-Athens Honors program
- Gordon College Student Association
- Interning in the Vining Rare Book Collection at the Gordon College Archives
- Studying abroad in the Balkans; Orvieto, Italy; Oxford, England; the American College at Thessaloniki and more
- Taking on a summer internship at the Plimoth-Patuxet Museums
Apply to Gordon
Take the first step toward a nationally ranked Christian liberal arts education.
Scholarships
We’re committed to working with you to make college accessible. Explore Gordon's scholarships, which are stackable up to $25,000.
Faculty
Faculty
Nationally recognized, personally focused
Gordon faculty are committed Christians, exceptional scholars and catalysts for transformation—both in their fields and in the lives of the students they teach.
Careers
Life after Gordon
What careers can I pursue by majoring in history?
History students learn to research thoroughly, think critically and write effectively. Many pursue graduate work in a variety of professional and academic fields. From a preservationist at a museum to a public official, history helps give the depth needed to do any job well, including:
- Museum administrator
- Lawyer
- Teacher or professor
- Clergy
- Librarian
- Think tank researcher
- Archivist
- Journalist
"I’m incredibly lucky to be able to pursue history in an academic setting. It always amazes me how each historical research topic and each new course bring to light new ways that humans have lived out their humanity—some of which are strange, from our perspective, but some of which are startlingly familiar."
Abigail Sargent '13
Medieval History Ph.D. candidate, Princeton University
Ready to get started?
We're here to help! We believe you were made to thrive, and we’re here to give you the tools to do just that. Get in touch with our admissions team to guide you through the process.