The area of historical studies introduces the chronological development of cultural, social, political, economic, and military affairs, and their historical relationships, in a broad temporal perspective. Current issues and institutions, ideas and social relations, problems and policies all have their origins in the past. By learning about the past, you become 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. Some courses deal with major national or continental civilizations. Others focus on a narrower geographic area or time period. 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.
