Explore the Past. Understand the Present. Shape the Future.
At the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, the Department of History and Social Sciences offers a rich, interdisciplinary education that helps you explore the forces shaping human experience—past and present. With programs in ethnic studies, history, international studies, political science, social studies education, sociology, and women’s and gender studies, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of society from multiple perspectives.
As a student in the department, you’ll:
- Develop essential skills in critical thinking, research, writing, and analysis
- Learn to assess arguments, interpret change, and understand individual and social behavior
- Examine cultural, political, economic, and technological developments across time and place
- Engage in real-world learning through internships, fieldwork, and study abroad opportunities
Whether you’re passionate about uncovering the past or committed to addressing contemporary issues, the programs in the Department of History and Social Sciences will help you become a thoughtful, informed, and engaged global citizen.
Ethnic Studies
The Ethnic Studies program is dedicated to awakening your mind and spirit to the issues of race and ethnicity. It engages you in the social realities and moral challenges of racism in the United States and around the world. Ethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that forges strong scholarly and intellectual connections between history, political economy, anthropology, and the related fields of Native American, African American, Chicano/a, Asian American, and women’s and gender studies. The Ethnic Studies program provides you with an analysis of the historical narratives of marginalized groups whose lived experiences are often neglected. UW-Platteville offers a minor and certificate in Ethnic Studies.
History
The study of history is basic to your personal uniqueness, professional identity, and civic life. As a student of history, you will develop important skills, including reading, writing, analysis, and using logic. When you pursue a history degree, you will learn how to do research; assess arguments; and interpret economic, social, political, cultural, and technological change in a variety of contexts.
International Studies
As part of our commitment to creating engaged global citizens, the International Studies program focuses on understanding and appreciating the interconnectedness of the modern world. It explores how economic, technological, and communications development affect everyday life and commerce. UW-Platteville offers a minor in International Studies.
Political Science
The Political Science program at UW-Platteville enables you to improve substantially your understanding of yourselves and the world, while educating you to understand and appreciate politics, political thought and governance, and gain essential knowledge of your chosen fields. The department aims to prepare you for employment or advanced study, and stimulate you in anticipating your future roles as professionals and citizens. UW-Platteville offers a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Political Science.
Social Studies Education
An interdisciplinary program in which students complete the equivalent of a History minor as well as take courses in economics, history, environmental sciences and society, psychology, political science, and sociology, the Social Studies Education major is designed for students seeking to teach Social Studies and/or specific Social Studies areas, such as History, at the middle-school or high-school level.
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society and its component parts, groups, cultures, norms, roles, and their institutional and organizational relationships. Sociology is a discipline in the social sciences and part of the liberal arts approach to education. The UW-Platteville Department of Social Sciences offers a minor in Sociology.
Women's and Gender Studies
The Women's and Gender Studies program is designed to hone interdisciplinary critical thinking and analytical skills. It is also geared toward helping you examine your personal and social values, as well as make wiser contributions to the diverse global community. Coursework includes subjects such as gender and society; psychology of women; management, gender, and race; and more. UW-Platteville offers a minor and certificate in Women's and Gender Studies.
Discover by doing
At UW-Platteville we focus on hands-on learning. You’ll have exciting opportunities to conduct research, do field work, participate in internships, study abroad, and much more.
