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Department of History
East Hall
414 E. Clark St.
Vermillion, SD 57069
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

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Welcome to the Department of History 

The USD Department of History consists of programs in history, philosophy and Native American studies and supports the women, gender and sexuality studies program. We also offer minor courses of study in religious studies and classical humanities. Our faculty are expert historians, philosophers and thinkers who actively contribute to research in their fields and promote a culture of curiosity and community on campus. With a small student-to-faculty ratio, our department offers personalized mentorship so our students can work directly with acclaimed scholars and researchers. Our students have the opportunity to participate in enriching experiences in and beyond the classroom – including internships, study abroad, archival research and conference presentations – as they prepare for careers or further education in law, journalism, non-profit management, business, education, museums, libraries, cultural agencies and government, among other fields. 

Join our community of storytellers, explorers and researchers

If you are driven by curiosity and want to learn about how the human experience has unfolded over time, the USD Department of History is the place for you.


Programs

Meet the Department

Get to know the faculty and staff in the Department of History. Our faculty are experts in their fields, contributing to research and scholarship in Imperial Russian history, Native studies, philosophy, ethics, U.S. foreign policy, religion, women and gender studies, environmental history and more.
Bio Image for Faculty Member David Burrow

David Burrow

Chair, History/ Associate Professor

Specialty

Imperial Russia
Modern Europe
Bio Image for Faculty Member Elise Boxer

Elise Boxer

Dir, Inst of Am Indian Studies/Associate Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Kurt Hackemer

Kurt Hackemer

Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost

Specialty

19th Century American Military & Naval History
Bio Image for Faculty Member Katrina Knight

Katrina Knight

Assistant Professor

Specialty

Greek, Roman, and early medieval European history
Bio Image for Faculty Member Sara Lampert

Sara Lampert

Associate Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Jeffrey Liu

Jeffrey Liu

Assistant Professor

Specialty

Chinese History
Buddhist Studies
Digital Humanities
Bio Image for Faculty Member Molly Rozum

Molly Rozum

Associate Professor/Ronald M. Nelson Distinguished Professor
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Known for Excellence

At USD, you'll find a high quality educational experience strengthened by our faculty's research and creative scholarship. See what makes our department exceptional.

Student Opportunities

As a student at USD, the opportunities available to you extend beyond the classroom. Explore your interests, find your community and experience your education to the fullest extent through the following opportunities.

Departments & Facilities

The Department of History is connected to several departments and facilities across campus that promote programs related to history, philosophy, Native American studies, religious studies and women, gender and sexuality studies. These include the international studies program, Russian studies, Lakota and more.
Historic Photo Placed Over Current East Hall Building

History

At the University of South Dakota, our Department of History houses numerous disciplines that exist at the intersection of curiosity, research, writing, storytelling and the human experience. Find the answers to your questions about people, events, institutions and values with the guidance and support of our exceptional faculty.

Sara Lampert speaking in front of a slideshow presentation

Research & Creative Scholarship

The USD Department of History is home to a community of curious and driven scholars. Here you'll find faculty who are leading insightful conversations and engaging in collaborative learning that challenges us to view our world in new ways. 

 

You have opportunities to share your research right here at USD. The department hosts a the annual Phi Alpha Theta Student History Conference and a Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Conference that bring scholars from across the region to campus, and the philosophy program will host a conference exploring the role of money in shaping the human condition. Plus, the Schell and Cash lectures provide opportunities to hear from expert scholars.

 

Photo of a bookshelf filled with old books

Preparing Students for Successful Careers

By studying history, philosophy or Native American studies, you will explore people, events, institutions and values as old as the ancient world and as new as yesterday's headlines. Our students graduate prepared for careers in education, law, business, government and more. These disciplines encourage skills that will serve you throughout your life, including critical thinking, reading, writing, intercultural understanding, communication and research skills. 

 

The unique experiences offered at USD – including hands-on internships in the Oral History Center and University Archives, personalized mentoring and valuable research opportunities – will set you apart after graduation. Whether you want to work in a museum, in business or anywhere in between, a degree in history, philosophy or Native American studies from USD will help you get there.

 

student success story

Nick Bubak smiling.
The experience I gained at USD, most notably from the mentorship of my two educational supervisors, well-prepared me for my rigorous academic career and my current career in international policy. The history program does not simply educate you on past events or specific academic theories but teaches individuals to think critically in a way that is not taught in other areas or majors. I have worked in academia, higher education outreach, and now in international policy, and the skills I began learning in the history department have been invaluable every step of the way.

Dr. Nicholas Bubak

M.A. History '11
B.S. History '09
Program Coordinator, International Institute of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota

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