Our Mission
The Villanova History Department believes that knowledge and understanding of the history of human experience — in all its cultural, intellectual, material, social, and spiritual diversity — are essential to prepare students in the 21st century to become responsible global citizens and thoughtful, compassionate human beings.
History thus serves the university’s dual mission of igniting change, and contributes to the uniquely Catholic and Augustinian identity of Villanova University through its special commitment to research and teaching about the roles of religious institutions, faith, and values in the development of human communities around the world.
The History Department is committed to maintaining an intellectual, social, and emotional environment conducive to the development of the necessary components of the human spirit — love, respect, intellect, faith and care — among the undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff who form its community. Mutual respect and support, concern and openness are the values that the members of the department seek to implement in their daily interactions with each other.