History

Students in a classroom setting for a class about the introduction to the history, operations and future of museums, historic sites, archives and related cultural organizations.

Uncover the Past,
Shape the Future

Explore History at UD

Welcome to the History Department


Explore our shared human experience in the Department of History. Our distinguished faculty and engaging course offerings will immerse you in pivotal events, transformative ideas, and captivating stories. Whether your passion lies in ancient empires, modern revolutions, or topics like medicine or the environment, the Department of History provides a vibrant intellectual community. Here you will gain invaluable analytical skills, multicultural perspectives, and a deeper understanding of the past to help navigate the present and imagine the future.

Wh​y History?

 

  • A world of possibilities: Whether you have a specific professional career goal or wish to gain skills in writing, research, or analytical thinking that will provide a strong foundation for careers in many fields, you’ll find that studying in the Department of History will open doors to a world of possibilities. 
  • Community Engagement: The University of Delaware's history department actively engages with the community through various programs and partnerships, enhancing students' educational experiences and contributing to local and regional historical preservation and education efforts.
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Upcoming Events

UD 2024 Graduate Rachel Gaebel shares “The Class That Will Stay With Me”

YouTube Link UD 2024 Graduate Rachel Gaebel shares “The Class That Will Stay With Me”: youtube.com/watch?v=_cqaNPjugDY

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A HISTORY DEGREE?

 

Become President of the United States​


​​​​America’s 46th president brought the values of a University of Delaware education to the White House.

​Study with dynamic scholars​​​​​​

 

Jake Ransohoff's research and teaching centers on late antique and medieval Europe and the Mediterranean, with a particular focus on the Byzantine empire. His research interests include the punishment of crimes in Byzantium and the medieval West, the development of medieval Slavic societies, and the study of Byzantium by scholars in the early modern period. He has excavated at archaeological sites in Turkey, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Spain, and is co-editor of the volumes The Invention of Byzantium in Early Modern Europe (2021) and Byzantine History and the Antiquarian (2025).

Prof. Ransohoff holds a BA from the University of Chicago and a PhD from Harvard. Before coming to Delaware in Fall 2025, he held postdoctoral fellowships at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies at Simon Fraser University and the Seeger Center for Hellenic Studies at Princeton University and was a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Bowdoin College.

Headshot photo of Jake Ransohoff
Jake Ransohoff

History ON SOCIAL