It is the aim of the History Department to provide a survey of important social, economic, and political events in the story of mankind. In addition, considerable attention is paid to the development of conceptual understanding and critical thinking within the various courses.
Earlier courses stress the development of good habits in the study of historical data.
Later courses emphasize extensive reading, classroom discussions, and preparation of research papers. Through readings, research, guest lecturers and field trips the students will come to understand the political, cultural, philosophical, and social history which makes them who they are. Particular emphasis will be placed on the study of the Benedictine centuries in which the rich traditions of the ancient world were preserved and transformed into the building blocks of the modern epoch. This course is designed to provide the student with an in-depth understanding of the development of the American nation from the age of exploration until today. Emphasis is placed upon the political and economic movements in the nation, but cultural factors are also studied as well as some historiography of the nation's history.