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
May 22, 2023
VCU history professor Ryan Smith to explore ‘Liberty and Death in St. John’s Churchyard’ on May 25
Smith’s lecture will draw from his most recent book “Death and Rebirth in a Southern City: Richmond’s Historic Cemeteries.”
May 16, 2023
10 projects awarded funding from the VCU Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Fund
The fund awarded nearly $100,000 this year to faculty for research projects related to the arts, humanities and social sciences.
May 5, 2023
Students curate fellow students’ work in new VCUarts exhibition
The exhibition offers history and museum studies graduate students some hands-on experience in spotlighting the work of their studio-based peers.
History Spotlight
Meet Nyah
Nyah Graham has a passion for learning and understanding our past. Visit our 'Meet a Student' page to read more about Nyah's favorite classes, favorite professors, and what she plans to do with her bachelor's degree in history.