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History students and members of the ROTC on a visit to Gettysburg

St. Bonaventure University

History Program


Let the past make your future

At St. Bonaventure University, History students explore the world with highly qualified professors. Our students get the best of both worlds, professors who are dedicated teachers and accomplished researchers.

You learn in small classroom settings, working closely with engaged faculty who have published numerous books and articles. Discover history with faculty who have written on and explored it in depth.

Making a game of a history lesson


Students build an educational game based on the experiences of an Olean Civil War regiment.

Why choose History?


We live in a complicated world that is rapidly changing. History helps us understand that world. From pandemics, historic statues, race relations, to the internet #everythinghasahistory. Our courses cover a variety of topics and we regularly offer special topics courses that address relevant issues.

In the 21st century, students doing history is part of learning history. History majors do hands-on work in class and with internships at the Friedsam Library, the , and the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. Internships are available locally, and we have also had students intern in Washington, D.C. and Buffalo, New York.

HIST 106: The Art of Historical Detection, introduces history as problem solving and investigation. HIST 300: Historical Methods and Historiography, is where students learn the craft of historical writing and why we write history. At Bona's, our students create history for the digital age in a dedicated class, HIST 419: Digital History and Archival Practices. Working in the University Archives and closely with faculty and archivist, students turn historical research into products for the digital age. Many of our classes are digitally enhanced, taking advantage of what the information age has to offer.

We offer classes that explores the relationship between video games and history and a history of cyberwarfare.

Students have a chance to showcase their research at the annual Arts & Science Exposition or at local history conferences. Students also participate in the History Club, where they organize group visits to historical sites in the area, and join Phi Alpha Theta, the International Honor Society in History.

A major in History is quite flexible. A student can fashion his or her individual course of study. Students can pursue a second major, a minor, or the Honors Program.

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Alumni Spotlight


Samuel Fuller, Class of 2019, pursued his "passion" for history while preparing for a career in medicine. Meet Samuel and other History students:

Student Testimonials

Program information


For majors, minors, or students who simply wish to learn more about history, we offer a wide variety of courses:

  • World History: Asian, European
  • Popular Culture: Film, Science Fiction
  • Military and Diplomatic: American Revolution, French Revolution and Napoleon, World War II, U.S. and the World
  • United States: Early America, American Presidents, Twentieth Century, Recent History, African-American
  • Public and Digital.

The Department of History offers a B.A. in History and a minor in History.


Bachelor of Arts in History

History majors do hands-on work in class and with internships to acquire skills in problem solving, historical writing, digital media, and research.

  • Minor in History

    For non-majors, the History minor provides a solid background in history that may complement their major fields of study or suit personal interests in the subject.


    News, Publications & Research
      Nov 23, 2024 | Dr. Kathryn Caliva Smart, assistant professor of History, spent a portion of last summer at the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, D.C., working on her current book project: "Speaking about Gods: Mythic Knowledge and Narrative Authority in Greek Lyric Poetry." The CHS is a research institute under the auspices of Harvard University that supports research on all aspects of ancient Greece. Caliva Smart's term as a Hellenic studies fellow at the center continues through May 2025.

      Nov 08, 2024 | Dr. Steven Pitt, associate professor of History, presented a chapter titled "God's Paradox: Boston's Maritime World in the Seventeenth Century" at the New England Historical Association conference in Boston, Massachusetts, on Oct. 26.

      Jun 20, 2024 | Climate change, artificial intelligence and NCAA conference realignment are among the topics St. Bonaventure University faculty members tackled in a hybrid journalism project for the Jandoli Institute.