Ripon College history students move beyond the “timeline” approach to the past. They don’t just learn what happened — they analyze why events occurred, arrive at their own view of events, and discover the implications historical events have for understanding enduring human issues. They learn to communicate complex ideas both orally and in written form and to understand cultures and societies other than their own.
Ripon courses examine the complete scope of history and delve into every time frame and era. Students learn to analyze evidentiary material in a disciplined and methodical manner, synthesize information gained from such analyses into larger structures of knowledge, understand various interpretations and conceptualizations of historical development and fit their own synthetic structures into such interpretations, and communicate complex ideas.
Professor of History Rebecca Matzke was commentator on the panel “The Social World of Jack Tars: The Royal Navy and British Maritime Culture 1815-1940” at […]
Some students come to Ripon College uncertain which career they should enter after their four years at the school. Not Amy Fels ’17. “I came […]
A podcost that came out Oct. 20 on slate.com includes Sarah Frohardt-Lane. In “One Year: 1942,” she talks about rubber rationing during World War II, […]
Professor of History
Associate Professor of History, Chair of History Department, Director of Environmental Studies
Adjunct Instructor of History
Associate Dean for Faculty Development, Ralph Hale Ruppert Distinguished Professor of History
Ripon College faculty and professional staff are dedicated to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be and however often they may change along the way. It’s part of our value statement to you.
As a student at Ripon, you will be assigned a faculty adviser based on your area(s) of interest. You will meet with your faculty adviser throughout your time as a student to discuss your current aspirations, plan your course schedule and plot a future trajectory. We also work collaboratively with Ripon College Career and Professional Development to help match your interests and skills to concrete goals and construct a plan for professional success offering personalized career counseling, off-campus learning opportunities and an online job board with potential to connect with local, national and international employers. Our collaboration with Student Support Services provides tutoring and additional academic and skill development, as well as tools to help with note-taking, exam preparation, goal-setting and time management. Likewise, Mentors in the Franzen Center provide in-depth, one-on-one or group mentoring for students about class projects and college-level writing, and can share problem-solving strategies to overcome academic obstacles.
Advising at RiponRequirements for a major in History: 32 credits in history. At least 12 credits from courses numbered in the 300s; HIS 295; and senior seminar (HIS 590). (HIS 401 does not count toward the major.) HIS 101 is strongly recommended as an introduction to the major. A sophomore or junior beginning a history major should start with any 200-level course.
Requirements for a minor in History: 22 credits in history. At least eight credits from courses numbered in the 300s. HIS 101 is strongly recommended as an introduction to the minor. A sophomore or junior beginning a history minor should start with any 200-level course.
Requirements for students majoring in history and seeking teaching licensure in history for middle childhood through early or early adolescence through adolescence level (Teaching Major in History): 32 credits in history. At least 12 credits from courses numbered in the 300s; HIS 299; and senior seminar (HIS 590) are required. Among courses counting toward the history major, the following are required: HIS 281, 282 and 590. In addition, students must take any two of the following courses: HIS 240, 241, 242, 262, 263 or 264. (Also required for licensure are ENV 120 and HIS 401; but those do not count toward the 32 credits needed for a history major.)
Requirements for students minoring in History and seeking teaching licensure in history for middle childhood through early adolescence or early adolescence through adolescence level (Teaching Minor in History): 24 credit hours including HIS 281 or 282 and any one of the following: HIS 240, 241, 242, 262, 263 or 264; at least eight credits from courses numbering in the 300s. (HIS 101 is recommended but not required.) (ENV 120 and HIS 401 also are required but do not count toward the 24 credits for the minor.)
Some Ripon history graduates choose careers in academia: they have entered Ph.D. programs at such universities as Princeton, Wake Forest and Penn State. Others go into library, archival or museum work: a recent graduate now works for the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C. Many Ripon history majors share their love of history as high school teachers. Others have taken positions as archaeologists, lawyers and bank managers, and with insurance companies, multinational corporations, governmental agencies and small businesses.