History Courses

It is impossible to understand today's world without understanding the past. Historical forces have shaped every aspect of our world, from political divisions to patterns of migration, technological innovation, and climate change. History shows us that there is nothing "natural" or "inevitable" about our lives; the modern world is the product of past generations' choices, contingencies, and challenges. Since the past fundamentally shapes our present, we can use this knowledge to effect change; only by understanding the past can we create new possibilities for the future. The study of history also develops core critical thinking skills: reading, writing, analytical thinking, argumentation, and presentation. In particular, history teaches how to carefully read and assess different sources of information. With these skills, history majors build diverse and exciting careers: our majors work in every field from law, entertainment, and finance to education and social justice.