History
The study of history at the undergraduate level is different from what most students encounter at the elementary and secondary levels. Although a good student must have a solid foundation of facts, the undergraduate at Luther finds that history is not simply memorizing names, dates, events, and places. It is also research into causes and issues of events and study of the interpretations made by other historians.
In analyzing events of the past, history students use primary sources—accounts of events recorded at the same time the event occurred—and secondary sources—those events evaluated by scholars at some time after the event. The collection of appropriate and adequate source materials, critical evaluation of the sources, and effective communication of analyses and conclusions are the student historian's major goals.
History majors may also complete other programs or minors such as museum studies, secondary education, or area studies.