History… the story of humankind

EMU is a Christian liberal arts college dedicated to Mennonite values of peacebuilding and service. We study history from a global viewpoint, one that highlights our need for one another. Study history with us, and we’ll analyze the human experience through a peace and justice lens.

Vincent Harding on campus

In February 2014, the history department was honored to host Vincent Harding, friend and confidant of Martin Luther King, Jr., on campus for several presentations. Listen to a podcast, read about his message to the EMU community (as a former Mennonite pastor himself).

Watch a video of a chapel presentation on EMU and integration by Dr. Mark Sawin as we prepared for the visit to campus by Dr. Harding.

A unique focus on faith in action

EMU history grads treasure our program’s social history approach. We focus on groups like women, religious minorities and other individuals often overlooked in conventional history classes. Our history students are exposed to various viewpoints and explore the many ways God works in history through people — the meek and the mighty, the famous and the little-known, major world powers and developing nations.

Our students develop a Christian perspective on evolving economic and political systems and cultural and religious issues. We encourage them to think of the moral and ethical implications of particular ideas and events from the past.

History in our backyard

Our campus is only two hours from both Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, and Richmond, the Confederate capital. We’re also close to many other historic sites in history-rich Virginia, including the unique Museum of American Frontier Culture in nearby Staunton, many Civil War battlefields, and the National Park Service’s historic Sklyine Drive.

Learn more about the majors and minors our program offers!

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