History

UW’s history program gives students an opportunity to learn about exciting historical events and eras. Here are a few of our students’ favorite courses:

• Medieval Europe in Film — This class uses films to study major themes in the development of Western European civilization between 500 and 1500. Students view, discuss and write about films while learning to evaluate films historically. 
• "What Killed Socrates?" — This course reexamines Socrates’ trial in 399 BCE, which is widely regarded as a miscarriage of justice, in an effort to seek an understanding of the reasons for Socrates’ conviction. 
• Secret History of Science — This course explores historical scientific developments. It focuses on the lesser-known men and women who contributed to science, as well as on seemingly superstitious beliefs that were nonetheless important to scientific advances. 
• The US West Between World Wars — In this class, students examine two pivotal decades (1918-1942) in the US West through the use of historical documents, art, film, literature and music. 
• Medieval Religious Dissent — This course examines the development of orthodoxy and persecution of religious diversity, including that of witches and Jews, between the 11th and 16th centuries within the historical context of the times.

There are many scholarship opportunities available to UW history students. Here are several scholarships you may apply to:

• Sidney Barsky Memorial Scholarship — This scholarship was created by the estate of Sidney Barsky in 1995 to reward academic achievement.
• Duniway Book Prize — This prize is made possible by friends and colleagues to honor the memory of former UW President (1912-1917) Clyde A. Duniway.
• Sylvester Siren Memorial Scholarship — This scholarship was created by the Siren family to honor UW graduate (1930) Sylvester J. Siren.
• William Steckel Undergraduate Scholarship — This scholarship is made possible by the generosity of Wyoming broadcast pioneer, Mr. Jack Rosenthal, in honor of his favorite history professor.
• Agnes Mathilde Wergeland Memorial History Prize — This prize was established by Professor Grace Raymond Hebard to honor Agnes Wergeland, one of the pioneering members of UW’s history department. 

Experiential learning is key for every UW undergraduate student, and the history degree is no exception. Many of our history majors complete internships across Wyoming, as well as in other states, in their junior or senior year of study. For example, some of our students interested in museum work have interned with Warren ICBM & Heritage Museum, the UW Art Museum, Sheridan County Museum and the Fort Morgan Museum.

History students are also eligible for study abroad programs that are led by the history department. Most recently, students went to Germany with Dr. Adam Blackler to study the holocaust.

UW’s history faculty are highly successful professionals, who are dedicated to their work and supporting our students. Our faculty members regularly have their work published and receive notable awards.

Most recently, Dr. Peter Walker published an essay for the Public Domain Review titled Little Boney: James Gillray and Napoleon’s Fragile Masculinity. Dr. Walker also received a NEH Summer Grant Award for his work The Church Militant: Loyalism, the Church of England, and the American Revolution. Dr. Walker is the first UW Faculty Member to win this award.

Dr. Adam Blackler released the paperback version of his book, An Imperial Homeland: Forging German Identity in Southwest Asia. Dr. Alexandra Kelly released a book titled Consuming Ivory. Dr. Melissa Morris received a U.S. Scholar Fulbright Award for her work Juan Rodriguez and the Dutch Atlantic World.