History at USM

What makes us unique is the breadth of our course offerings, our nationally recognized programs, and our committed faculty. It is a great place to learn.

There are many great history departments throughout the country. What makes the Department of History at The University of Southern Mississippi unique is the breadth of our course offerings, our nationally recognized programs, and our committed faculty. We are big enough to offer quality programs, yet personal enough to give both undergraduate and graduate students individual attention. The Depart

ment of History's faculty include award-winning authors and teachers -- nationally acknowledged experts in their fields. Students in the Department of History have the opportunity to explore the histories of North America (with a special emphasis on the American South), Africa, and Europe. We are a leading institution for the study of war and society, are a regional leader in preparing students to teach history, and have an excellent oral history center with outstanding collections on the civil rights movement and other topics. We offer bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs. Undergraduate students may choose either a traditional history degree, a history degree with teaching licensure in social studies, or a degree in international studies. You can learn more about us by exploring this website, and we will be happy to answer any specific questions if you contact us at [email protected].

09/05/2026

A good word, from student journalist Tyshun Hopson:

"Without the ability — or willingness — to engage with literature, we lose not only the act of reading but also weaken one of the world’s most powerful tools for understanding ourselves and society."

Read more at https://sm2media.com/38274/opinion/america-must-make-room-for-reading-again/

09/03/2026

This summer, USM History Prof. Joseph Peterson, generously supported by the Lucas Endowment for Faculty Excellence and the USM Provost's Office, traveled to archives in Paris and in Aix-en-Provence to begin research on his next book project, which focuses on the lives (and the military service) of people deported to France's Penal Colony in French Guiana.

Pictured: the Paris Police Archives Reading Room; the best potato chip flavor in France.

08/22/2026

USM's History/Social Studies Education graduates doing great things!

08/12/2026

08/07/2026

Get to know the great Dr. Grivno!

Professor Spotlight: Meet Dr. Max Grivno!

Dr. Grivno is a professor in our History Department whose areas of expertise are Mississippi History, Historiography, and Theory and Methods. What makes his class fun and engaging is his never-ending goal of "helping students understand the theoretical underpinnings of historical research and writing.” His Mississippi History class will also be focusing on specific areas of Mississippi, such as the Civil War in Jones County and the history of lynching in Prentiss, as well as the history of the Choctaw across the state!

Outside of academia, he enjoys listening to K-Pop, collecting retro action figures, and hiking around South Mississippi. We also asked him what supernatural creature he would be and why, to which he responded, “A Hobbit. They live in the countryside and value comfort and contentment."

If you haven’t taken a class with Dr. Grivno yet, he will be teaching Research Seminar (HIS 300), Mississippi History (HIS 370), and Philosophy and Methods of History (HIS 710)!

Address

118 College Drive, # 5047
Hattiesburg, MS
39406

Telephone

+16012664333

Website

http://www.usm.edu/history

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