Every semester, members of the history faculty write detailed descriptions of their forthcoming course offerings. It fulfills a deep human need for understanding, and the satisfaction it provides requires no further justification. John F. Kennedy, in 1963 The History Department offers more than 60 courses relating to every field and virtually every personal interest. Our courses range in time from ancient Egypt to the present and over the earth from the United States to China to Europe to Lebanon. All of the history courses extend our experience and memory of human society.
History provides the only laboratory of human experience actually lived.
Thus, the study of history provides the empirical evidence for political theory and values. It also illuminates the background of social movements, literature and religious change. Many courses are especially suited as complements to other fields. One of the European history courses must be pre-1750. All other requirements are free electives in History.