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
Jan. 27, 2026
Slavery was ‘foundational’ to the British monarchy, VCU author Brooke Newman reveals
In her new book, ‘The Crown’s Silence,’ the history professor uses thousands of archival records to detail the royal ties to the transatlantic slave trade.
Jan. 23, 2026
Former Pamunkey Chief Robert Gray shares experience in new VCU residency
Gray is the inaugural Indigenous Elder in Residence, part of the Humanities Research Center’s On Native Ground initiative.
Dec. 9, 2025
New collaborative microcredential highlights Richmond’s history
VCU and the Valentine partner to offer students free opportunities to engage with their city’s past and present.
History Spotlight
Meet Heldana
Heldana Fufa knows that being a history student opens your mind. Visit our 'Meet a Student' page to read more about why this this native of Ethiopia selected VCU, and what she plans to do with her bachelor's degree in history.
