History Department
Overview
SUNY Cortland’s History Department offers two majors, a minor and two graduate programs. We have a world-class faculty offering classes on topics such as Medieval Europe, South Asia, the Holocaust, French empire, African-American culture, Caribbean revolutions, African development politics, and environmental history. In our history courses, students don't just study the past — they become historians.
Our department also offers unique opportunities to learn and practice Public History, including hands-on experiential learning through internships at historical sites, museums, and libraries throughout New York, including but not limited to:
Cortland’s Memorial Library, Camp Huntington National Historic Landmark on Raquette Lake in the Adirondacks, the Rozanne Brooks Museum, The 1890 House, the Cortland County Historical Society, Cortland Curiosities, The Central New York Living History Museum in Homer, the William Seward House in Auburn, and The Museum of American Airpower in East Farmingdale on Long Island.
Check out these additional resources on why majoring in history brings a lifetime of opportunity, career choice, and excitement:
- Why Study History? This guide will give you the answer, plus list skills you will hone and additional resources about careers/future options.
- Loren Collins, Entering the Job Market with a BA in History
- The American Historical Association's Guide to Careers for History Majors
Clubs/Societies
The History Club is one of SUNY Cortland’s most active organizations on campus! Its goals are to provide a social setting for developing interests in historical topics and to establish a better relationship between faculty and students.
The Archaeology Club will be discussing cool and interesting archaeological finds, holding lectures, attending events both off and on campus, visiting archaeological sites, and exploring methods for being an effective archaeologist. Every Cortland student is welcome to join us!
