The Department of History

Why study History?

Past societies can simply be fascinating in their own right, but studying them also has immediate practical usefulness in the present. The world around us right now is entirely the product of history. Tracing the broad processes, turning points, and individual actions that built the present helps make sense of the world around us and points to ways that individuals can make a difference in the future. History students also develop a set of practical, marketable skills that transfer into a wide range of workplaces.  Our classes focus on how to get and make sense of the data left by past actors, how to interrogate that data in answering questions about the past, and how to communicate that analysis effectively to a broader audience. Research, Analysis, Communication--These are skills that are in demand from many employers and are applicable to a wide range of careers, in education, business, journalism, government, law, and the non-profit sector. For more information on careers, see “What Can I Do With My History Degree?” and our Alumni page.