History, Culture and Politics
Contact Information
History, Culture and Politics
Richard Quinlan, Ph.D.
Chairperson
Annunciation Center Main Level
Phone: (973) 290-4351
rquinlan@steu.edu
Why Study History at SEU?
A history degree from Saint Elizabeth University will afford students better analytic
and reasoning skills, research abilities, and tools for clear expression. Courses
in history draw from both American and regional history, providing perspective on
global events and an understanding of the human factors influencing them. Students
will learn to research effectively, write clearly, and communicate efficiently.
"To succeed in the 21st century, you can’t have a robot brain; you can't look for
a single answer to a problem," says Dr. Nicole Yanoso, chair of the History, Culture
and Politics Department. "You need to be able to think critically and find several
solutions to a problem you didn’t even know existed, and that’s what a history degree
teaches you to do."
Key Elements
- Great complement to elementary and early childhood education
- Provides an understanding of American and international law
- Easy to double major with other humanities
- Students develop expertise in social, cultural, diplomatic, and intellectual history
Pairs Well With
Bachelor's in Elementary/
Early Childhood Education
When pursuing a degree in elementary and early childhood education, students are required
to double major, and history is a popular complement to this degree. It provides students
with excellent writing, research, and communication skills making them well equipped
to instruct students effectively.
“It’s very rare that you will only be teaching one subject as an elementary school
teacher. Double majoring in another discipline, such as history or literature, is
wonderful, but it only gives you a certain set of skills,” says Dr. Yanoso. “With
an history degree you’re more marketable because you have expertise in several different
subjects.”
B.A. in Elementary/Early Childhood Education
An Individualized Major
“Sometimes a self-designed major better meets a student’s goal and their specific
objectives,” says Dr. Anthony Santamaria, dean of the arts and sciences. For instance,
if a student is interested in becoming a lawyer, they may decide to pair their history
major with an individualized major in legal studies. This gives them the freedom to
build their own expertise in a specific area of study while also reaping the benefits
of our comprehensive history program.
“I fell in love with SEU on my first tour of campus, but when I realized they did
not have one of the majors I wanted, the University was very accommodating and created
an individualized major for me,” says Jacqueline Merlos-Pacheco, a double major in
history and an individualized major in legal studies with a minor in political science.
What can I do with this degree?
Students who graduate with a History major have obtained skills that make them well-
prepared for post-collegiate life. Recent SEU History majors have begun careers in
education, library work, government service, law, and business.
"Everyone really worked with me, worked with my finances and worked with my schedule
to finish my degree in a timely manner," says Melissa Sarsten, a history major currently
pursuing a degree in law. "You’re able to exceed here, in your work life and in your
home life."