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
Feb. 27, 2025
At the movies: Professors review Oscar-nominated films through the lens of their expertise
Ahead of the Academy Awards, professors discuss what worked – or didn’t – in five of the 2025 nominees.
Feb. 13, 2025
For the many layers of American democracy, new course taps into the many layers of VCU faculty expertise
Nearly three dozen specialists in the College of Humanities and Sciences are collectively teaching U.S Democracy United/Divided this semester – and organizers think the concept will evolve.
History Spotlight
Meet Mel
Mel Sheehan has a passion for history and wants to inspire others by making history fun. Visit our 'Meet a Student' page to read more about why this California native selected VCU, and what she plans to do with her bachelor's degree in history.
