History Department

Understanding of the diversity of human experience over time

History graduates often pursue graduate work in the social sciences, law and church vocations; they're equally well prepared to begin careers in teaching and administration, media reporting, library science, archival work, genealogy, public administration, and museum studies.

News & Updates

• The latest volume of our undergraduate journal, The Scribe of the Ages is now available: Volume 9, May 2023
• We are happy to announce our 2023 History Department Awards were awarded to two graduating seniors who have worked hard and developed their talents during their time at Cal Lutheran:  Katie Costanzo, who earned the O. Fritioff Ander History Award for Outstanding Graduating Senior, for her consistent outstanding performance throughout her four years at Cal Lutheran; and Cameron Wellden, who received the Smith Family Writing History Award for the best history paper written in 2022. Cameron will have his research paper published in the 2023 volume of our undergraduate journal, The Scribe of the Ages, Volume 9.
• Enjoy this video, "Coastal Chumash: Stories of Contemporary Native Americans in California." At the turn of the twenty-first century preserving the diversity and elucidating current Chumash culture for future generations is important for several reasons. First, this Native American people have a proud and distinct heritage which deserves recognition. Second, the history of the United States and its native peoples is a complex one of reservations (1889) and termination (1954), neither of which greatly impacted the Chumash. Because of their intense assimilation into the Spanish culture, the Chumash experience articulated a distinct method of accommodation, and even, resistance. Third, this viable Chumash community living in California has struggled to balance issues of cultural assimilation with ideas of cultural integrity. This “balancing act” is one shared by a number of other representatives of underrepresented minorities. Finally, in a world where genocide is a recurring nightmare, this story of courage and cultural preservation is vital to safeguarding not only Chumash heritage, but the history of the United States today. In another decade many of those that remember the “old ways” will be gone, and there is an obligation to pass on this cultural paradigm for posterity. The Chumash’s is a story worth telling! Created by Dr. Michaela Reaves, Professor of History at California Lutheran University, made possible in part by a grant from The California Council for the Humanities, asp part of its statewide California Stories Initiative, Copyright 2005.
• Now available online: “In Your Own Backyard: Civil Liberties Then and Now,” is a grant project obtained from California State Library California Civil Liberties Public Education Program, providing  secondary teachers and their students an opportunity to learn about the history of civil liberties in the state of California, specifically Los Angeles. Granted to California Lutheran University History Professor, Michaela Reaves, Ph.D,. the goal of this project is to educate secondary school students about the erosion of civil liberties during the last two centuries and specifically in “our own backyard.” These topics include the Japanese removal and internment during the 1940’s, nineteenth century slavery and xenophobia, and twentieth century ethnic and gender rights.  Each historical “module” is juxtaposed with a twenty-first century example including  “enemy aliens,” under-represented groups, and the need for smart justice. The grant’s website includes ten primary source lesson plans, which are available for both pre and post assessment. In addition, bus scholarships for ten classes for field trips are available for individual schools in the LAUSD.

• Wonder what you can do with a History degree? Check out the American Historical Association's web page, "Careers for History Majors," as well as their article, "History is Not a Useless Major: FIghting Myths with Data."