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The True Value of History The true value of history lies in what it tells us about the world in which we live. At birth we enter a world which we did not create, and which we come to understand only in part, and then only gradually. With time, in our own day, our awareness of that world extends beyond household, neighborhood and region to encompass many other parts of the world. But even the most distant parts of the world represent only that portion of humanity which is presently alive. All aspects of our existence are products of much longer periods of development, and their continuity and change remain only dimly evident to us until we begin to learn something about the past. The best historians present us with descriptions and analyses of the past that make unfamiliar times and places somehow comprehensible. Perhaps the primary reason why most of us turn to history is that the past and talented studies of the past are fascinating. This fascination with learning about the past is an attraction which needs no further justification. In seeking to penetrate the veil of the past, we end up by studying how other individuals and societies dealt with the practical and existential problems at least related to our own. In our search for meaning, we examine the meanings that others found. In our contemplation of the historical record, we encounter a broader spectrum of human behavior and values than that which we encounter in our own everyday lives. In doing so, we may develop a wiser understanding of who we are, of what potential we have, of what dangers threaten individuals, families, communities, and nations, and finally what we see as the meaning of life.
Practical Skills that the Study of History helps You to Develop Research and Analytical Skills The papers that you will write as a history major compel you to locate as well as master a specific body of source material in order to answer whatever question you have posed. Such research will take you to traditional written sources (books, journals, the library), but also to the burgeoning sources of information available both in computer databases and on the Internet. Learning these research techniques is a bit like learning how to play the organ. When we look at an organ (or a library, an on-line computer, a body of databases), it really can't do much for us unless we know how to play on it. When J. S. Bach played the organ, however, the entire hall swelled with a sound so awesome that it continues to overwhelm us. Part of a university education -- like preparation for life in any profession -- is learning how to find information, evaluate its veracity and usefulness, and use it to structure intelligent arguments and analysis. Journalists operate in just this way, and so do a stock analysts and corporate planners. Lawyers must use the same research techniques, even if they turn to a different body of materials. In short, the research skills that one acquires in the course of a history major are directly transferable to many walks of life. Writing Skills The ability to write clearly and incisively is a much more vital gift than most students realize. Cultivating a mature and felicitous writing style should be a major goal for every college student, regardless of major. Historical writing compels students to analyze sources carefully, construct coherent arguments, present those argument persuasively, and draw intelligent conclusions. The best historical writing presents complex problems to the reader in clear and accessible prose. The ability to do this makes and important contribution in the everyday operation of almost every sphere of the economy. Global Skills: Understanding Other Societies and Cultures In the increasingly global society in which we live, we daily encounter people and practices that have their roots in other societies. The study of social, political, economic, and cultural problems within societies that are remote from our own, whether in time or space, fosters an appreciation of the complexity as well as the persistence and interconnectedness of cultural legacies. A history major provides students with the opportunity to study a variety of other societies in cooperation with professors who have spent their lives studying the languages, history, and cultures of these societies. The facts of history rarely "speak for themselves," but can only be understood fully in the context of the culture and the time in which they occurred.
What Can One Do With a History Major in the Real World? (Justifying the Choice to Yourself and Your Loved Ones) "Will a history major help me to find meaningful employment?" This is a reasonable practical question. You may encounter friends and loved ones who fear that majoring in history will seriously limit your opportunities in life. Their concern is understandable in an age that insists that time and effort (not to speak of tuition) should enable a person to obtain meaningful work, and they may see history as an interesting but frivolous endeavor with no practical applications in the "real world." In fact, the study of history – and a history major – provide students with a skills and employment possibilities far greater than is conventionally assumed. We know this to be true because of the many different careers in which our own graduate majors have had compiled a record of success. History is one of the leading majors among students who go on to law school. What's less well known is that many history majors go on to do very well in business careers. History also provides excellent preparation for those who want to work in the financial industry. Finally, for those interested in international studies of any kind (diplomacy, international business or banking, international law, working with non-governmental organizations throughout the world), a history major provides an ideal introduction. For aspiring journalists, there is probably no major that is more useful than history. As persons reporting the news, they must describe the world’s events, which requires them to view these events in historical perspective. A history major can be invaluable in providing one with a sense of this past in the United States, but also an informed sense of the cultural legacies of other societies. Finally, history is an ideal major for anyone interested in teaching social studies or humanities at any level. Majors from our department have found success in a broad variety of careers. Some have gone to law school or medical school and pursued distinguished careers as lawyers and physicians. Others have gone directly from an undergraduate history major into working for investment banks, brokerage houses, consulting firms, newspapers, radio and television, governmental agencies from the State Department to NASA. Finally, a variety of cultural institutions prize history majors for the overall knowledge and abilities that they may bring to museums and foundations. If you would like to talk with someone in the History Department about the kinds of opportunities that a history major can afford, please do not hesitate to call upon us. The current list of faculty advisors can be found in Need Advice? |
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The True Value of History
Practical Skills that the Study of History Helps You to Develop
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