As an upper division student, the history major begins to specialize in one or two areas of interest, and courses are focused on research and close examination of texts through written work and in-class discussion. The thesis allows students to move from being consumers of history to being producers of history as they work with original sources, develop and sustain a meaningful historical argument on a specialized topic, and produce a substantive written work. At the end of the senior year the students present the findings of their thesis research projects in a public forum attended by professors and students. This final presentation is both celebratory of the fine work of the students and provides a chance for our junior scholars to share their capstone projects with other members of the Pacific University community. In addition, the History Department encourages students to take advantage of several full or part-time internship opportunities sometime during the junior or senior year.
Classes are small, and close work between professors and students is the norm.
At every level, students receive individualized attention by professors who stress the need to develop a command of electronic resources and written and oral communication, and who are committed to facilitating the personal and educational goals of each student. The Graduates Graduates from the department seek careers in various fields. Below is a list of selected positions held by history graduates. Professor Rampton teaches the history of ancient and medieval Europe and the Middle East and specializes in the study of women and magic in early cultures. She is the winner of the Bernadotte Schmitt grant awarded by the American Historical Association, recipient of a research grant from the Western Association of Women Historians, and author of several articles on medieval subjects.