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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.

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News & Updates

  • Episode 136 of Africa Past and Present is now available
    Episode 136 of Africa Past and Present — a podcast about African history, culture, and politics — is available at https://afripod.aodl.org/fullPodcast/episode=136/ and on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and other podcast platforms.   Africa Past and Present is hosted by Michigan State University Professor of History Dr. Peter Alegi and co-produced by Matrix, the African Studies Center,… Continue Reading Home
  • In Memoriam: Sam Thomas, 1941-2024
    We are very sad to report the passing of our friend and colleague, Professor Sam Thomas.  Sam received his Ph.D. from MSU in 1970 and taught here for 45 years before retiring in 2011.  A scholar of European and American history, Sam published many articles during his career, and he was a dedicated and popular… Continue Reading Home
  • Michigan State University Associate Professor of History Dr. John Aerni-Flessner publishes article
    Dr. John Aerni-Flessner, an Associate Professor in the Residential College of Arts and Humanities and the Department of History at Michigan State University, recently published “Lesotho and the QwaQwa Ski Resort, 1975-82: Border Disputes and South Africa’s Increasingly Deadly Responses” in The Journal of African History. The article, co-written with Chitja Twala of the University… Continue Reading Home
  • Professor of History Dr. Nwando Achebe inducted into Nigerian Academy of Letters
    By: Patti McDonald Nwando Achebe, the Jack and Margaret Sweet Endowed Professor History at Michigan State University, was recently inducted into the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), a prestigious recognition of her continued dedication and contribution to literature, arts, culture and history in Nigeria. Achebe is also the College of Social Science’s Associate Dean for… Continue Reading Home
  • Soccer in Israel and Palestine
    The Football Scholars Forum‘s 2024-25 season kicked off with Nicholas Blincoe, author of More Noble Than War: The Story of Football in Israel and Palestine. Listen to an audio recording of the discussion here. Now in its 15th year, FSF is based in the History Department and convened by Professor Peter Alegi.
  • Michigan State University West African Journal Celebrates Ten-Year Anniversary
    The Journal of West African History (JWAH), founded at Michigan State University, will celebrate 10 years in publication on Friday, October 4, 2024.   Founding editor-in-chief and Jack and Margaret Sweet Endowed Professor of History at MSU Nwando Achebe, led the effort to create the new journal that produces high-quality articles on West African history.  … Continue Reading Home