Eastern Washington University

What you'll study

The programme combines a core sequence in historical methods and historiography with specialised courses on medieval and early modern Europe. You will study political, religious, intellectual and cultural developments from late antiquity through the Renaissance and the early modern period, examining how ideas about authority, community, gender and belief were produced and contested.

• Core modules typically include introductions to historical thinking, research methods, and historiography that emphasise primary-source analysis and archival work.
• Medieval and early modern modules commonly cover subjects such as early medieval Europe, the high middle ages, the late medieval church, the Renaissance, the Reformation, early modern political thought, and the rise of print culture.
• Thematic courses might address medieval and early modern religion and society, gender and family in Europe 500–1700, urban life and economic change, legal and diplomatic history, and the history of science and medicine.
• Skills and languages training often includes palaeography, introduction to working with manuscripts, and opportunities to study Latin or other relevant languages to improve access to primary sources.
• Capstone and research options normally allow students to undertake a senior seminar or honours project built around original research in primary sources, supported by faculty supervision.
• Practical experience is encouraged through internships with regional museums, archives, libraries and public-history organisations, plus study-abroad options for direct engagement with European archives and historic sites.

Structure

The degree is delivered as a broad liberal-arts programme in which general education requirements are combined with an expanding sequence of upper-division history courses. Students move from introductory survey and methods courses into specialised seminars and a research capstone in their final years.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised secondary-school qualification or equivalent. Successful candidates usually demonstrate strength in writing and critical reading through prior coursework in history, English, or related humanities subjects. Admissions typically consider the overall academic record, a personal statement describing interest in history, and at least one academic reference.

• Domestic applicants: standard university admission via previous secondary credentials; coursework in social studies or humanities is recommended.
• International applicants: equivalent secondary credentials are required, and evidence of English language proficiency is necessary if previous education was not in English (accepted tests and scores follow university policy).
• Transfer and returning students: transfer credit for relevant college-level courses may be accepted; transcripts and syllabi are reviewed for equivalency.
• Recommended preparation: courses in history, literature, languages (Latin or modern European languages), and research-writing are helpful preparation for advanced work in medieval and early modern studies.

Career prospects

A BA in History with a concentration in Medieval and Early Modern European Cultural History develops analytical reading, research, writing and interpretive skills that are valued across many sectors. Graduates move into a range of careers or continue to postgraduate study in history and related disciplines.

• Public history and museums: roles in curating, interpretation, collections management and education at museums, cultural centres and historic sites.
• Archives and libraries: work in archival processing, special collections, digital humanities projects and records management.
• Education: pathway to secondary teaching (typically requiring additional certification) and to university-level postgraduate study.
• Heritage and tourism: positions designing programmes, tours and exhibitions that communicate historical knowledge to public audiences.
• Research, publishing and communications: careers in editing, writing, publishing, policy analysis and media that require strong research and communication skills.
• Further study and professional routes: many graduates pursue MA or PhD programmes in history, medieval studies or early modern studies, or professional degrees in law, museum studies, archives, and library science.

Why study at Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University offers a liberal-arts environment with small-class teaching and close faculty mentorship, which is well suited to the intensive reading and research required by medieval and early modern studies. The Department of History provides opportunities for supervised research, senior projects and field-based learning.

• Regional resources: proximity to Spokane’s museums and archives, including regional historical societies and the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, gives students access to collections, internships and public-history projects.
• Faculty expertise: faculty members with interests in cultural, religious and intellectual history support sustained study of European periods and supervise independent research.
• Experiential learning: the programme encourages internships, community partnerships and study-abroad options that let students work directly with manuscripts, artefacts and heritage sites.
• Skills for employers: emphasis on archival methods, languages and public engagement prepares graduates for work in museums, archives, education and a variety of research-driven professions.