Why study history?

The study of history begins with questions, not answers. We seek to know what happened in the past, and we also seek to understand why.

As our present-day context raises new challenges for our communities, historians are inspired to ask new questions about the past, seeking understanding of a broad variety of human experiences. Historians explore questions about past politics and economics, intellectual developments, social concerns shaped by race, gender and class, and facets of culture ranging from arts and languages to human spaces and emotions. As a result, the study of history is dynamic, rather than static, and those trained in this discipline develop valuable skills in gathering, evaluating, connecting and interpreting factual information, and in the use of evidence to argue persuasively for their conclusions.

Learn more about what historians do and why employers value these skills.

News

Rocio Gomez

Sept. 19, 2025

Latin American History Q&A with Rocío Gomez

Q&A with Dr. Rocío Gomez provides a sneak peek at what attendees will learn about the Cristero War in 1920's Mexico and it's relevance to today's established digital legacies in the current conservative movements on both sides of the border.

Sept. 10, 2025

VCU announces recipients of 2025 faculty awards for scholarship, teaching excellence

Interim Provost Beverly J. Warren today announced 30 winners of VCU’s National/International Recognition Awards and 25 winners of the Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation Awards.

espinoza and morales

April 24, 2025

The Origin and Impact of the VCU Migration Studies Lab

Antonio Espinoza, Ph.D., and Daniel Morales, Ph.D., provide insight into what the Migration Studies Lab is, how they got started, and how they hope to have an effect on VCU, as well as the overall community, highlighting the importance of collaboration amongst faculty and students.

History Spotlight

Events

Collaboration and sharing are at the core of our mission.

pope leo

Bishop Sullivan Lecture in Catholic Studies presents "An American Pontiff"

Date: Tuesday, Oct 7, 2025

Join the VCU School of World Studies for a Q&A session that will illuminate the major opportunities and challenges for "Pope Bob," the first American pontiff.