Department of History

Welcome

Clark's History Department, while small, is of unusually high quality, activity, and visibility in the field. Programs of study are available for both undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduates can specialize in United States, European, or Global History. They can also take advantage of related interdisciplinary concentrations such as Asian Studies, Holocaust Studies, or Women's Studies. Graduate students can focus on America, with tracks in the history of the United States and in the history of the Atlantic World, or Modern Europe, with tracks in the history of the Holocaust and in Genocide Studies.

The department's close ties with the American Antiquarian Society (AAS) in Worcester and Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) in Sturbridge, Massachusetts are wonderful assets for students studying United States history. In addition to AAS and OSV, history students have done internships at the British Museum (as part of Clark's London Internship Program) and the Pleasant Street Neighborhood Network Center in Worcester.

Wall of ChinaEXPLORING CHINA

Past and Present with Paul Ropp

Take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see China with Paul Ropp, Clark's longtime professor of Chinese history, as your guide on this special trip, May 10-22, 2011. Learn about the diversity of China's regional cultures, from the metropolitan and modern to the rural and historical. You'll traverse ancient ruins, royal palaces, cultural treasures and natural wonders, discovering Beijing, Xian, Hangzhou (the beautiful West Lake), the stunning Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), and Shanghai. You will also see major monuments of the past such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, and the Terra Cotta Warrior Museum near Xian. Visit art galleries, museums and some of the modern architectural marvels of Beijing and Shanghai. Rest your head at four-star hotels and reinvigorate each day as you explore the glories of China's past and its sometimes turbulent but energetic economic boom of today. Learn more

Old Sturbridge VillageOLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE

Clark's location in historic New England provides special opportunities for our students. Through our partnership with Old Sturbridge Village, the History Department offers a seminar, "Explorations in History: Rural New England, 1780-1860," taught by the Village's Chief Historian, Jack Larkin. The class meets at Old Sturbridge Village where the museum's collection of 60,000 artifacts and exhibits enhance the study of the past.

 

CAREERS AFTER A HISTORY MAJOR

The history major provides an excellent grounding for a number of careers. Some of our recent alumni include:

  • Scott Zoback '04: Reporter for Worcester Magazine
  • Amy Beard '04: J.D., New York University Law School (2007) ; practices law in New York
  • Hans Ericsson '01: Photojournalist, Washington D.C.
  • Sara Levy '00: Holocaust and Critical Thinking Studies Coordinator/Youth Program, National Conference for Community and Justice, San Francisco, CA.
  • Ricci Hall '97: History teacher at the award-winning University Park Campus School, Worcester
  • Jason Gauthier '95: Archivist for the U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, D.C.
  • Cari Meister '95: Author of children's books, most notably the "Tiny" and "Going Places" series
  • Jodie Medeiros '95: Membership & Outreach, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
  • Deborah Gershenowitz '89: Editor for History and Law at New York University Press