why history?

[sobusyargh]

For all of you history buffs, why would someone read history at university? I'm asking because I'm currently considering this. Thanks very much!

[BigMac]

First, a big asumption: that you're about to go to unversity as an undergraduate at 18/19 years of age.

Why history? For the same reason you would take any degree, I suggest. If you have no interest in history, don't do it. A degree is meant to demonstrate a capacity for analysis and synthesis of information, promote inquiry (original research) and assists an individual to learn to think for her/himself. That applies for biology or psychology or mathematics, just as much as for history.

When you come to look for employment at the end of your three/four years, most potential employers are much more interested in the class of the degree rather than the subject, unless they are highly specialised - e.g. if you want to be an actuary then a maths and stats degree will be better than one in history.

Whatever you read, though, do it with enthusiasm and give it your best shot. Good luck.

[Artemis]

If you decide on history. Go for American History, there's not a lot of it.

[Clanad]

It's interesting that the title to this Topic is History and Myths... when one of the primary reasons to study history, either informally or as a vocation, is to be able, as much as possible, to seperate the two. I found, early on, that I brought a lot of assumptions to the field, which later, based on the very best evidence, I found not to be exactly true. Short story of my own experience... during a genealogical research of my own family, I was interested in a persistent legend of a Great-Uncle who had supposedly been hung as a horse thief during the Civil War, here in the U.S. The factual evidence proved, however, he was shot for being on the Union (northern) side in an area that was highly sympathetic to the Southern cause. It was a real insight to find that his immediate descendants would rather have him remembered as being a horse thief than a Yankee. Same kind of revelations occur regularly when the subject is approached with an open mind.

An alternate view, however to Artemis' is that "American" history is quite short in that we, as a nation are only 229 years old, while, for example the known history of the British Isles is at least 2500 years or so old. Additionally, I would offer that to isolate one area for historical study is to lessen a thorough understanding of its place in the grand scene...

[Octavius]

It depends on the history you are studying.

It could lead to a good career as a teacher or in archaeological studies. Even a TV career (Dan Cruickshank?)

Or may even lead to a very good career in the sense that historians are consulted by governments when negotiations are carried out to ascertain and understand the history of a nation and culture.

I find I have a greater interest in history now than I ever did at school, which may well have been because of the partocular histpry that was on my curriculum.

[Paul22118]

I cannot resist replying to your question. Many sensible answers are given here but I think it is important that you look in the mirror. Do you choose 'The World at War' or 'Coronation Street' as an evenings television? Are you the type of person who has an inquiring mind and enjoys thinking through past events? It might be that you could study for a subject which you are good at but do not really enjoy. I would advise that whatever you choose it must be a subject that absorbs you, that leaves you wishing to dig deeper and read more and more about your subject. If that is history then go for it. I found whilst studying British Wartime Cryptology it just led me on to another track and then down another road which gave various options - all of which I just had to research. I just could not get enough of it. If you do this the quality of your degree will reflect that interest. As Big Mac rightly says - go for it.

[El D]

Either because you like history and believe it will help your career in this field or because you perhaps do not know which or are unwilling to commit to a vocational degree - history gives you an extremely well rounded skill set. After reading history I have completed two separate postgraduate vocational courses and both have been extremely easy (despite their rumoured difficulty) due to the skills I learned.

Do be prepared for all the naysayers to knock your decision though - its extremely fashionable to criticise the core subjects, but most of these people are incapable of performing the functions which you refine on the course to a similar level.

[dotjhawkes]

I did a four year History with English Combined Honours and did all different types of History, I especially am glad that I did a module on recording Oral History, this involved a recorded interview with a person of my choice and I chose to record my Dad talking about his childhood growing up on a Cheshire Farm. I had to transcribe the interview and then choose aspects of the casestudy that would be worth reseacrhing. there was a wealth of information and I could have used lots of sources to reseacrh varoius aspects of Rural life, Education and social History. Apart from that, I also am so glad that i have a recording of my Dad talking, as I lost him recently. History is a huge umbrella, use it wisely.

[Gef]

Lots of good advice already given. If you enjoy history then go for it, enjoy it and enjoy your life at University.

I am a chemist and did it because that was what interested me most at school.

I presume you have talked to your History teachers about htis.