The question has perplexed students in these years of vocational anxiety and has been increasingly asked by those forced to make choices among colleges and majors. Important as vocational preparation may be, the faculty in the History program like to emphasize the general intellectual values arising from studying the past.
Historical knowledge is an important part of the culture of any educated person.
Beyond that, History provides training in research methods, in the critical evaluation of evidence and conflicting points of view, and in the organization and lucid presentation of the results of reading and research. The History program provides traditional courses in most of the geographical areas and time periods of the world s history. Westminster History majors have a high degree of choice among these courses but must fulfill both a chronological and a geographical distribution of courses. Those who seek secondary teaching certification in Social Studies must also take some supporting courses from other departments. The History program provides opportunities for independent study and internships in various historical agencies, and students are encouraged to pursue these non-traditional avenues of study.