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
April 24, 2025
The Origin and Impact of the VCU Migration Studies Lab
April 10, 2025
The voice of Lincoln offers compelling counterpoint to today’s zero-sum thinking, pastor and publisher says at Blake Lecture
Speaking three decades after his father kicked off the annual series, Peter Marty uses the past, the present and Christianity to reflect on the winners-and-losers mindset.
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.
