History Department
The History Department is one of the best in the country. It is particularly well-regarded in American history, although the department has recently been pushing its international credentials, offering, for example, a joint MA with the London School of Economics.
It is located in Fayerweather Hall, which is appropriately old and decrepit.
If, as an undergraduate, you choose to major in history, your life will be ruled by a committee called the UNDED (yes, pronounced "undead"...seriously).
History of the History Dept.
The History Department was first formally formed in 1897 when seven faculty members split from the Political Science Department. It has heaped scorn and derision on the world of the political scientist ever since: Columbia historians are occasionally resentful when they find themselves dumped into offices at SIPA, and downright incredulous when someone characterizes their discipline as a social science rather than one of the humanities.
Courses
A small selection of the courses frequently offered by the History Department:
- British History from 1867: Between Democracy and Empire
- Civil War and Reconstruction
- History of the City of New York
