About the Program

What is distinctive about studying history at Sweet Briar?

One of our newest courses considers the historical foundations of modern Western legal systems and of perennially controversial legal issues. It’s an excellent addition to our pre-law offerings.

History majors are encouraged to pursue their academic interests and develop close relationships with faculty and other history majors.
Many of our students enroll in the Honors Program to construct independent research projects and delve deeply into specific topics.
Students complete internships at institutions where they apply their knowledge to projects that advance the goals of the sponsoring organization.
Many history majors study abroad to enrich their understanding of what they have learned at Sweet Briar.

<div class="box-atention box-atention--alt mb-14 mb-md-13 featured-course"><figure class="box__image"><picture class="lw_image"><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/41/width/500/height/283/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2048,1366/ignore_cropper/1/2517_2023_09_08_BuildingThePast_ClassPhoto_CP-08.rev.1695648653.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/41/width/500/height/283/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2048,1366/ignore_cropper/1/2517_2023_09_08_BuildingThePast_ClassPhoto_CP-08.rev.1695648653.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/41/width/500/height/283/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2048,1366/ignore_cropper/1/2517_2023_09_08_BuildingThePast_ClassPhoto_CP-08.rev.1695648653.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/41/width/500/height/283/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2048,1366/ignore_cropper/1/2517_2023_09_08_BuildingThePast_ClassPhoto_CP-08.rev.1695648653.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 501px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/41/width/753/height/426/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2048,1366/ignore_cropper/1/2517_2023_09_08_BuildingThePast_ClassPhoto_CP-08.rev.1695648653.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 501px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/41/width/753/height/426/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2048,1366/ignore_cropper/1/2517_2023_09_08_BuildingThePast_ClassPhoto_CP-08.rev.1695648653.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/41/width/753/height/426/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2048,1366/ignore_cropper/1/2517_2023_09_08_BuildingThePast_ClassPhoto_CP-08.rev.1695648653.jpg" alt="HIST 214 Building the Past, September 2023" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/41/width/753/height/426/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2048,1366/ignore_cropper/1/2517_2023_09_08_BuildingThePast_ClassPhoto_CP-08.rev.1695648653.jpg 2x" data-max-w="2048" data-max-h="1366" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></figure><div class="box__inner"><div class="box__aside"><div class="box__aside-inner"><span>Featured Course</span></div></div><div class="box__content"><h2>Building the Past</h2><ul class="list-text"><li> History 214 </li><li> Dr Laufenberg </li></ul><div class="box__entry"><p> This course explores how humans built and tried to sustain large-scale settlements in the pre-industrial past. We will examine innovations in construction techniques, city planning, resource utilization, and the human impact on the natural environment. Case studies include Etruscan and Roman engineering, ancient Greek site planning, medieval “organic” cities, and Renaissance urban design. We will also consider how past urban designs may provide solutions for problems facing megacities of the future. Offered alternate years.</p></div></div></div></div>