Welcome to MSU Department of History!
History majors learn to think broadly, and they develop skills in critical analysis, research, and oral, written and digital communication. They grow as informed citizens, and they find the joy of making new discoveries and conquering great challenges. Knowledge and experience gained in History coursework enables our majors to excel in a wide variety of fields such as education, law, government, international development, business, journalism, medicine, social work and much more. Make history and do so with an eye toward the future. Become a major.
News & Updates
- Associate Professor Helen Veit explains the history of picky eaters in NYT essayIn her New York Times opinion piece, Associate Professor Helen Zoe Veit explains how modern childhood pickiness emerged in the 20th century as food companies aggressively marketed sugary,… Continue Reading Home
- Associate Professor Ethan Segal comments on the history of Pokémon, following its 30th anniversary Super Bowl teaser adAssociate Professor Ethan Segal shared his thoughts about Pokémon celebrating its 30th anniversary with a Super Bowl LX ad teaser. He describes Pokémon Go as a… Continue Reading Home
- Charles Keith delivers distinguished lecture on Catholicism and empire in Singapore Professor of History Charles Keith delivered the 2026 Annual Distinguished Lecture of the GL Louis Religious Pluralism initiative at the National University of Singapore on January 31,… Continue Reading Home
- Professor Louis Moore comments on the origins of football to NPRProfessor Louis Moore explains to NPR how today’s football started as unruly medieval street play and slowly transformed once rules split soccer, rugby, and the early… Continue Reading Home
- Associate Professor Helen Veit comments on the history of calorie counting in NYT articleAssociate Professor Helen Zoe Veit contributes historical and cultural perspective to The New York Times by explaining how calorie counting—once the dominant way Americans thought about… Continue Reading Home
- History alum publishes new collection of historical studiesA new collection of historical studies, The Holodomor in Global Perspective: How the Famine in Ukraine Shaped the World, co-edited by John Vsetecka (MSU History PhD 2023)… Continue Reading Home