Opportunities
Prizes:
Department Prizes
The Department offers two annual prizes for the BA essays. These award winning papers are nominated by the readers (preceptor and faculty advisor) and the final selection is made by the Collegiate Affairs Committee.
- The Anna M. and George N. Barnard Memorial Prize in American History
- The Emil Karafiol Prize in European and International History
Departmental Honors:
In order to receive honors, students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.5 in the concentration. Their BA Essays must also be nominated for honors by their readers (preceptors and faculty readers).
Fellowships and Grants:
See the newsletter or the undergraduate bulletin board (2nd floor, Social Science Building) for current opportunities. Outside opportunities also arise during the year, so it is a good idea to check periodically for updates. You should also ask your college advisor about options within the college.
James M. Sack Summer Research Fellowship in History
Through the generosity of History Department graduate James M. Sack, AB '72, The Department of History is pleased to announce the competition for the first James M. Sack Summer Research Fellowship in History. This award, a single fellowship of $4000, will be made to a rising fourth year student who wishes to devote the summer to research on his or her bachelor's essay. The award may be used to travel to archives or libraries, for general research expenses, and for living expenses. It is not intended primarily for the acquisition of capital equipment, such as computers, cameras, or ordinary published books. Applications are due in mid-May.
Applicants should submit:
- A proposal of three to four pages. In it, you should outline your topic, summarize the historiographical context in which you will write, and explain the theoretical or conceptual framework in which you conceive the project. You should also describe as fully as possible the sources you plan to use. For travel to research sites, you should show how the repositories are appropriate to your work. It is not necessary to argue that the institutions you visit are the only possible collections you could use. You should explain briefly how you plan to use the money.
- A Curriculum Vitae (academic resume).
- An up-to-date plan of the courses in your major.
- Short letters of recommendation from the professor who will sponsor your work, and from the preceptor with whom you have prepared your proposal.
- A transcript
Applications will be judged by the Undergraduate Program Committee, with the advice of other members of the faculty as needed.
This very generous award should attract the most talented and ambitious aspiring historians regardless of field of interest. It will be of special interest to students who wish to move directly to graduate school, and want to present findings from their bachelor's essay during the application process.
The Mann Award Travel Grant:
(FOR RESEARCH IN US ARCHIVES)
The Department offers a travel grant for BA summer research. Awards up to $500. Students may apply for this grant at the end of their third year or at the beginning of their fourth year. The deadline this year is October 18. Requirements: A 300-word essay describing your proposed BA essay and how the travel you wish to undertake will facilitate your research. Please also include a budget. Direct all application materials to Peter Simons in SS225 or by email,
prs@uchicago.edu.
Internships:
The city of Chicago offers many opportunities for History concentrators to explore the options of their concentration. The Department receives information from a variety of institutions throughout the year regarding internship opportunities. You are encouraged to work with the Undergraduate Coordinator to find or create an internship opportunity which reflects your particular interests.
See the newsletter or the undergraduate bulletin board (2nd floor, Social Science Building) for current opportunities. There is also a folder of internship applications from past years in the Undergraduate Coordinator's office, SS 225.
Some recent internships for history concentrators have included The Encyclopedia of Chicago Project at the Newberry Library, The International Visitor's Center of Chicago, and the Chicago Historical Society.