Undergraduate Studies

Why Study History?

History is the study of all aspects of human experience in the past. Historians study social life, culture, politics, and economics. They might study a single life, whole communities, ideas, or objects like architectural structures and commodities.

The major in history provides students with a broad range of choices. Students may concentrate their studies in any part of the world or era in history. Yet the major also provides a carefully designed sequence of courses that teach students how to practice history as a discipline, from the critical examination of existing knowledge, to the techniques of original historical research. These techniques can be applied using an almost limitless variety of sources, including diaries, journals, film, literature, and government documents.

History majors become better able to understand other societies as well as their own while developing strong critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. The skills that a student majoring in history acquires are highly valued in a wide range of careers including the law, education, and  government service.
Students may also minor in history or pursue, in addition to a BA, other interdisciplinary certificates such as historic preservation.