Department Updates

Western: Where History Comes Alive!

Next "Discover Western" for prospective WIU students: Monday, February 15 -- Register early!

WIU's History Department, with 16 award-winning faculty members who are both outstanding teachers and noted scholars in their fields, offers the opportunity to experience the full range of historical study, from the ancient to the modern world, on all continents. The courses we offer in our Morgan Hall classrooms for both undergraduate students and graduate students range through time from the ancient to the modern world, and across the globe, from Asia, Africa, and Europe to North and South America. Class sizes are kept small so that our faculty can work closely with our students. Some of the activities and accomplishments of WIU's History majors are highlighted in the "News" section at the bottom of this page. Western Illinois University continues to be highly ranked nationally and regionally and is recognized for providing a high quality, affordable education for its students.

"Choosing to go to Western was one of the best decisions I've ever made.  In the History Department, I flourished in small classes and learned from professors who are not only experts in their fields but who genuinely care about my success.  I have received numerous incredible opportunities, both as a student and since graduation, that are directly attributable to the professors at Western and the education I received there."

-- Ashley Eberle, recent WIU History grad

Freshman History majors gather for a cook-out with faculty

Many of our undergraduate History majors participate in undergraduate research projects, working individually with faculty members; a number of our majors have received grant funding to support their research. Graduate students' education also involves significant research, which is eligible for generous funding through the Department's graduate research program.

"I love the WIU History Department because we learn so much and have tons of fun while we are doing it. We have great professors who encourage students to think outside the box and give us the freedom to learn in a number of interactive ways. Through undergraduate research, experimental archaeology, and historical reenacting, the WIU History Department really does make history come alive! The result is a great learning experience in the field of history."

-- Abby Lagemann, current WIU History major

Assistant Professor of Early Modern European History, Dr. Jennifer McNabb, standing in the pillory built by History major Abby Lagemann, explains the experience to History major and WIUM-FM reporter, Alex Heuer

Many of our History majors (and minors) are active in one or both of our Department's student organizations, the Associated Students of History (open to all) and Phi Alpha Theta (the History honor society). Individual, professional advising by the Department's Undergraduate Advisor, Ralph Heissinger, and our Graduate Director, Dr. Virginia Jelatis, allows our majors, minors, and graduate students to successfully complete their degrees in a timely fashion.

“I looked at a lot of schools and met a lot of faculty.  It was only at Western that I actually felt a connection to the History professors who were going to be teaching me for the next four years.  The combination of scholarship, integrity, and dialogue that I found within the WIU History Department was amazing.  That sealed the deal for me.”

-- Steve Catania, recent WIU History grad

Professors Pamonag, Mazza, and Chamberlin at Fall 2009 Grad Student Reception

Our graduates have gone on to pursue a wide variety of careers in teaching, government, business, journalism, and many other fields.

"The study of history teaches you to research deeply and learn a subject from every angle -- and to be critical." WIU's History professors "could pick apart your essays, expose shallow arguments, challenge you . . . yet they didn't try to mold you or force you in a certain direction. They just made you better."

-- Dave Faries, BA, MA in History (1983, 1985), Dallas Observer restaurant critic

Visiting our Department

If you are interested in visiting Western to learn more about our Department, please contact us to schedule a visit -- we invite you to call us (309-298-1053) or send us an email. You may also want to attend a Discover Western orientation session. In either case, we’ll be happy to sit down and talk with you about your future with Western's History Department.

WIU History faculty at the Department's annual History Conference

Our History Majors in the News

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