 |
| Author | Post |
|---|
CardinalFang
Member
| Joined: | Mon Mar 17th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 144 |
| Mana: |    |
|
Posted: Fri Mar 21st, 2008 03:29 am |
|
| What are some small LACs that have good History departments? Medieval History would be a plus. No or minimal fraternities would be a big plus.
|
mackinaw
Member
| Joined: | Mon Mar 6th, 2006 |
| Location: | Michigan |
| Posts: | 776 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Fri Mar 21st, 2008 05:23 am |
|
Lots of LAC's have good history departments -- based on the same inferential evidence I cited before, that they produce a lot of future PhD's in history. (You will have to investigate the subspecialties.) Take a look at Carleton, Pomona, Wesleyan, Swarthmore, Amherst, Williams, Haverford, Reed, Oberlin, and Grinnell for starters. Colby, Bowdoin, Bryn Mawr, Wellesley, Beloit, Smith, Barnard, Kenyon, Davidson, and Kalamazoo, among others, are also worth a look.
Last edited on Fri Mar 21st, 2008 06:04 pm by mackinaw
|
CarolynLawrence
Administrator
| Joined: | Sun Mar 5th, 2006 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 3191 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Fri Mar 21st, 2008 09:29 pm |
|
One thing to keep in mind with LAC history departments is that they usually won't have a great deal of course offerings in specific periods, such as Medieval history. Nor are they likely to offer the same courses each semester. Beloit, for example, has a minor in medieval studies, and an excellent history program, but a student who's hoping to take medieval history courses each semester will be disappointed. So, I'd suggest focusing first on the "good history department" overall, and then looking for opportunities for independent research. In addition to the terrific schools that Mack mentioned, here are some others that I've found to have good solid history departments: Clark U, Holy Cross, Dickinson, Davidson, Vassar, College of Wooster, Bard, Lawrence U, Southwestern U, Rhodes, Denison, Knox, Hobart & William Smith, Goucher, and St. Mary's College of Maryland. But, there are actually many LACs with strong history departments, as Mackinaw suggests.
That said, Rice University has a wonderful Medieval studies department, and has the feel of an LAC in many ways. It is also a fairly small university (3,000 undergrads). U of Chicago is another smaller U with a solid program in Medieval history, as are Georgetown, Boston College, Notre Dame and Fordham. You might also take a look at Holy Cross' offerings in Medieval history.
And, I would also suggest taking a look at St. John's College (Annapolis and Sante Fe campuses) -- although there's no "history" major as such, all students get a solid grounding in ancient and medieval studies through their Great Books approach to learning.
Another possibility would be to look for LACs where self-directed study is part and parcel with the curriculum. For example, at the College of Wooster, all students write senior theses. Another possibility would be the Johnston Center at the U of Redlands -- they have a good history department, and students in the Johnston Center are able to self-direct their course of study, allowing for a student who's interested in medieval history to focus to a greater degree on just that area. Two other similar schools to look at would be Sarah Lawrence and Hampshire.
But, remember, interests do change once kids get to college, so a program in Medieval history (or even a reputation for having a good history department) shouldn't be the only reason for adding a college to the list. My daughter was absolutely SURE that she'd major in history when she was a junior in high school, and she actually met with faculty members in the history department and sat in on history classes at every college she visited (and was very impressed with the history department at Beloit).... but here she is a sophomore in college and she has yet to take a single history course, nor does it look likely she's going to squeeze one into her schedule. She's been too busy pursuing newly discovered interests. 
|
Shennie
Member
|
Posted: Sat Mar 22nd, 2008 06:20 pm |
|
| Allegheny College is also very strong in history. And they also require every student to do a senior project.
|
CardinalFang
Member
| Joined: | Mon Mar 17th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 144 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Sun Mar 23rd, 2008 02:56 pm |
|
We're visiting Beloit, Carleton, Grinnell and Macalester next week. I'll post reviews afterwards. It's going to be fun to actually see how Fang Jr feels about schools.
I had thought Pitzer might be a good school for him, being closer to home than the Midwest is, but he wandered through it around New Years and hated it on sight.
|
Descartes
Super Moderator
|
Posted: Sun Mar 23rd, 2008 04:42 pm |
|
You'll most likely see lots of snow if you're here next week! We got quite a bit more this weekend.
If you're going to Northfield, think about stopping by St. Olaf. Here is a link to their Classics & Medieval Studies department:
http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/classics/general_information/the_classics_program_at_st._olaf_college.html
Many find their campus idyllic. I can't comment as I've never seen it.
Aligned with your other concerns, I also found this:
http://www.stolaf.edu/services/asc/
|
CardinalFang
Member
| Joined: | Mon Mar 17th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 144 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Sun Mar 23rd, 2008 04:57 pm |
|
Descartes, I've heard that St. Olaf is a fine school which in many ways would suit Fang Jr (although his blond baby hair has darkened, so he might not fit in  ). But there's one thing-- I've read somewhere that the students at St. Olaf are very religious. Fang Jr is not religious. Would that be a problem, in your opinion?
|
jocelynDAD
Member
|
Posted: Sun Mar 23rd, 2008 10:02 pm |
|
CFang:
St Olaf is known as being closely associated with the Lutheran Church, however, there is no religious atmosphere or pressure at all.
There is a core requirement to take two classes in the religion area, one standard for all and the second open to multiple choices.
Our D2 is a Sophomore and D3 is considering St Olaf, neither then nor my wife or I are at all religiously inclined in the slightest. This has not been a problem for D3 in any aspect, social, academic, etc.
They have a 20 minute break in the a.m. where anyone can attend the Chapel for a lecture, quiet time or other. Most persons head for a coffee break. I found on my visits to the campus that was a great time to meet with a Professor. 
BTW, contrary to the rumor, brunettes are predominent at St Olaf, Blonds are welcome and a good number are attending, but they do attract many students from all over the USA.
As an aside and personal opinion having visited Beliot, Grinnell, Carleton and Macalester, I can affirm that St Olaf's campus is by far the prettiest and IMO most conveniently situated for ease in moving from dorm to class to student center.
FYI, Carleton is on a 3-3-3 system and St Olaf on a 4-1-4 semester system, ergo there is seldom any overlap with students taking classes in either college. So the statement in the Classics Department (in Descardes post above) that cross registration with Carleton could occur, be aware that it would require careful planning, some luck as well. 
Good luck in your search.
|
CardinalFang
Member
| Joined: | Mon Mar 17th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 144 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Sun Mar 23rd, 2008 10:45 pm |
|
| Thanks, Descartes and JocelynDad. Based on your recommendations, we will definitely check out St. Olafs. Fang Jr would enjoy taking the two religion classes, I think; he just doesn't want people constantly walking up to him and asking if he's saved. But I don't think Lutherans do that.
|
Descartes
Super Moderator
|
Posted: Mon Mar 24th, 2008 03:52 am |
|
JDad would know better than I, as my feel for St. Olaf is entirely indirect. I have never visited nor has anyone I am closely acquainted with attended. So what I have to say is either what I have read or have heard as a local residing fairly close to the college.
Let me also add that I am a non-Christian (non-Jew, too), so I don't have a special predeliction for a "Christian" environment.
What I have heard basically agrees with what JDad has said: the school neither hides nor sells its ties to the ELCA-version of Lutheranism. Its mission is stated to be ecumenical, not denomination-focused. It offers Sunday services to its students and many attend, but none are required to nor (so far as I can tell) "expected" to. It remains a desired destination for good Lutheran boys and girls but is home to many non-Lutherans, too. Some non-practicioners might be uncomfortable simply being in a community where faith practices are clearly pursued by many, but my sense is that the school and its students consider faith a private matter and individual choice is respected.
The campus is purportedly "dry" (no alchohol or drugs), but I don't think that the school expects its 21+ year old students to conduct their lives that way - only to respect the rules of the campus.
The ELCA itself tends toward moderate social views. You can, for example, find this on the St. Olaf website: http://www.stolaf.edu/community/solgen/news/
There is still the Scandanavian blonde stereotype which, as JDad says, is long past being true but nevertheless persists.
Two more things: the school has a strong reputation for sound academics and seems to inspire an intellectual life in its students even though it doesn't seem to pursue entering students who are already inclined to such a life. And the students have a reputation for being friendly, helpful, and concerned for others.
Anyone more directly knowledgeable about St. Olaf is welcome to correct any misimpressions I have shared.
Last edited on Mon Mar 24th, 2008 04:04 am by Descartes
|
John5616
Member
| Joined: | Thu May 17th, 2007 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 19 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Mon Mar 24th, 2008 03:25 pm |
|
I majored in history (and political science) at St. Olaf 25 years ago before going to law school, and the comments above are pretty accurate. No one would ever walk up to you and ask if you are saved at St. Olaf (Lutherans don't talk that way, and Minnesotans are too polite). If you are visiting Carleton next week, you might as well visit St. Olaf too.
Besides St. Olaf's history department, you should also note its strong religion department, currently headed by a Hindu. Also take note of St. Olaf's strong study abroad program, which is really one of its great strengths.
I grew up Lutheran in the Minneapolis suburbs, so I suppose I had some biases when I was considering colleges. I visited Carleton and St. Olaf on the same day, and St. Olaf just felt right. One of the factors certainly was that the St. Olaf campus is really beautiful, and Carleton's was ... not so beautiful.
|
Descartes
Super Moderator
|
Posted: Mon Mar 24th, 2008 04:08 pm |
|
I'm glad to hear I'm not misinformed.
Just to manage expectations, the campus will not be at its best this time of year. The melting snow has long ago lost its pristine cleanness and is not only a little grimey but tends to reveal several months worth of detritus as it disappears. What lawn you might see is often muddy brown and general defoliation prevails. Unlike most of the country, we are still several weeks away from early blooms.
Additionally I am informed by a former student that the Carleton campus has changed a lot for the better in the past 25 years.
|
limner
Member
| Joined: | Sun Jul 16th, 2006 |
| Location: | Tennessee USA |
| Posts: | 807 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Tue Mar 25th, 2008 12:40 pm |
|
CardinalFang, Carleton has at least one history faculty member, Victoria Morse, whose specialty is medieval history. My son took her freshman seminar, "Transforming Religious Identities: Personal Conversion in Later Medieval Europe." He loved it (he loves history and is leaning toward majoring in it). Here's the course description:
This course will explore the concept of religious conversion, treating it as a process of redefining the boundaries of personal identity. How was the conversion experience interpreted during the Middle Ages? How do modern scholarly disciplines view conversion? What does conversion mean for the historian? We will explore these questions through readings in medieval sources and from the fields of history, anthropology, sociology, and religious studies. Topics will include: conversion to and from Judaism and Islam; St Francis of Assisi and the heretical movements; women's conversions and male paradigms.
We live in Knoxville, and my son found two Carl grads (via Carleton's alumni network) who were recently hired by the UT history department. Both got their Ph.D.s in medieval history, one at UC-Berkeley and the other at Yale (IIRC). The first guy was awarded a Macarthur Foundation award last year, and he and my son have corresponded via e-mail.
On a side note, the alumni network has been a new aspect of Carleton for my son. On the flight home for spring break, he wore his Carleton t-shirt, and a man approached him after the flight and introduced himself. He's a lawyer in town and a Carl grad. The Carleton experience seems to extend beyond the four years you spend on campus.
|
Fireflyscout
Member
| Joined: | Sun Mar 5th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 174 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Tue Mar 25th, 2008 06:21 pm |
|
Limner - I was wondering how your son enjoyed his seminar - glad it was a good experience.
And Carleton does offer a concentration in medieval and rennaissance studies.
|
Current time is 06:49 am | |
|
|
|
|
