The area of historical studies introduces the chronological development and historical relationships in cultural, social, political, economic, and military affairs in a broad temporal perspective. Courses are offered in African American studies, anthropology, German, history, international studies, political science, and Slavic languages and literatures.
Current issues and institutions, ideas and social relations, problems and policies all have their origins in the past. By learning about the past, you are able to make better judgments about the present. By studying what motivated people in the past, you can broaden your experience, gain a deeper understanding of human behavior, and bring a more mature assessment to your own life and the society in which you live.
Courses in historical studies offer a wide choice of cultures and eras. Most of the courses deal with major national or continental civilizations. You may study American or European history or the history of non-Western civilizations, or you may study cultures that transcend traditional geopolitical boundaries. Your courses can both be chosen from the same department, or they can be in two different departments or programs. They may focus on a single culture or era--Western Europe, the twentieth century--or they may cover more divergent topics.
