A Tradition of Excellence
BC's distinguished History faculty members are active participants in the scholarly community who share their passion for understanding the world through close mentorship and a diverse range of course offerings.
Undergraduate
As a history major or minor, you will develop critical thinking skills and deepen your cultural awareness as you become a well-rounded citizen and professional, equipped to understand today's globalized world.
- Students will gain an understanding of the processes of historical change and a depth of knowledge in at least one historical period, geographical area or topical field.
- Students will be able to critique the use and interpretation of evidence in historical works.
- Students will be able to develop their own historical research questions and research hypotheses and carry out an historical research project.
A History Education for Today
Grounded in BC's liberal arts tradition, a history degree prepares you to understand the complexities of our modern world—and thrive in it. Graduates go on to careers in diverse fields such as academia, law, business, government, journalism, and teaching.
Interested in Majoring or Minoring in History?
Email the Director of Undergraduate Studies or connect with one of our Student Mentors to learn more about majoring, double majoring, or minoring in history at BC.
Prof. Penny Ismay
Student Mentors
Whether you’re a major, a minor, or just want to know more about the department from a student’s point of view, our student mentors are here to help. Please feel free to get in touch.
Alex Fisher Alex Fisher
Alex Fisher
Class of 2025
Class Year: 2025
Hometown: Lisle, Illinois
Majors Other Than History: Political Science
Minors / Other Concentration: Philosophy
Email: fisheraz@bc.edu
Adding a History major was, initially, a tough decision for me, but it turned into one of the best things I have done at BC. I have loved all of my History professors, classes, and classmates, as well as the opportunities they have afforded me to explore my historical interests—and areas of study I have never experienced before. The excellence of the BC History Department is in the opportunities it affords you to learn about the world and cultivate personal passions. I would love to help mentor students contemplating whether History is for them in addition to History lovers looking for course insights!
Jayne McGuire Jayne McGuire
Jayne McGuire
Class of 2025
Class Year: 2025
Hometown: Norfolk, MA
Majors Other Than History: Political Science
Minors / Other Concentration: Journalism
Email: mcguirjj@bc.edu
My favorite class was U.S. Political History since 1968, taught by Professor Glass! Being in this course allowed me to question why women were so limited in both educational and professional opportunities. Through reading books such as Bruce Schulman’s The Seventies: The Great Shift in American Culture, Society, and Politics or Nancy MacLean’s The American Women’s Movement, 1945-2000: A Brief History with Documents, I began to understand all the different ways people view historial events. I recognize that there is more than one way to interpret history, and through reading the works of multiple historians, I see how historians pull concepts and ideas, and articulate their understanding of history, which serves as explanations of the past. By studying the past and interpreting history on my own, I will use it to guide my curiosity in the future. I plan to use what I have learned to mentor younger students who major in History and to show them that they should always question the world around them. I hope I can motivate students to have intellectual curiosity, just like my professors have inspired me to.
Luke Sutton Luke Sutton
Luke Sutton
Class of 2026
Class Year: 2026
Hometown: Clarendon Hills, IL
Majors Other Than History: Finance and Business Analytics
Email: suttonlb@bc.edu
Initially studying finance and business analytics at Boston College, I rediscovered my love for history after taking an upper-level elective in the first semester of my freshman year. I chose to pick up a double major in history to fulfill a lifelong passion and to complement the technical skills I’ve gained at the Carroll School of Management. Pursuing a double major in history has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my academic journey, as I am constantly challenged to think critically and explore new areas of study. I love that the Boston College History Department offers so many new and unique courses each semester and a path to develop writing, research, and problem-solving skills, which are so valuable.
Maura Hoban Maura Hoban
Maura Hoban
Class of 2025
I am a double major in English and History. Being a History major cultivates an ability to work with primary and secondary sources, read and think critically, and enlarge your worldview. BC’s history department is an amazing collection of people, all intent on helping you find your historical niche and cheering you on during your collegiate career. I enjoy nearly every period of history I’ve had the chance to study, but my Senior Thesis is focusing on Victorian women’s history and fashion, but I also work as a tour guide on the Freedom Trail!
Zicheng Ying Zicheng Ying
Zicheng Ying
Class of 2025
Class Year: 2025
Hometown: Ningbo, China
Majors Other Than History: Physics
Minors / Other Concentration: Asian Studies
Email: yingzi@bc.edu
Throughout my time at BC, I’ve had the opportunity to explore a wide range of historical topics. For example, I never imagined myself taking classes on the Catholic Church, since I was more familiar with Asian history, but I ended up loving it and it gave me a whole new perspective on history of religion. With that being said, I’m really passionate about helping other history majors discover all the resources and opportunities within the History Department. Moreover, as an international student from China, I’ve combined my background in Asian history with three years of Japanese language classes, and I’m now working on thesis research focused on Meiji Japan. I’m also involved in physics research, so if you’re trying to balance multiple interests or are curious about both the humanities and sciences, feel free to reach out!
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Oracle
The BC Undergraduate History Journal
Oracle showcases exemplary scholarship by current history majors and minors. For prospective students, the journal offers a window into our department and an exciting arena for exploring how the present is intrinsically bound with its past.
The Undergraduate Experience
Stokes Hall is home to the History department.
Boston has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to historical resources, making it one of the best places in the country to study history.
Become a global citizen and see the world: our majors frequently participate in study abroad programs.
Life as a history student is full of opportunities to engage, on and off campus.
A different kind of learning experience: our students have the opportunity to complete hands-on projects in their classes such as creating exhibitions.
Gain professional experience: many of our students complete internships to prepare for their future careers.
History students in a seminar
Exploring the Alhambra in Grenada, Spain.
History undergraduates edit and publish in Oracle, BC's undergraduate history journal.
Courses & Resources
Explore undergraduate courses and resources for current history students, from paper-writing tips to a list useful links of historical interest.