The study of history aims at the understanding and disciplined reconstruction of past human activities, institutions, ideas, and aspirations in the light of present knowledge and in the hope of usefulness for the future. History belongs both to the humanities and to the social sciences. It is studied both for its own sake and for the light it throws on the present problems and future prospects of particular societies and of humankind in general.

A major in history in combination with work in foreign languages, philosophy, literature, and the social sciences provides a broad foundation for informed citizenship. History majors find employment in many fields of human endeavor from arts and business to public service and education. Specialization in history is especially valuable as pre-professional training for law, government, diplomacy, and journalism and for library, archival, and museum administration.