The study of history is not simply about facts.
History is the search for an interpretation of the past.
Historians attempt to find patterns and establish meaning through the rigorous study of documents and artifacts left by people of other times and other places. The study of history is vital to a liberal arts education. History is unique among the liberal arts in its emphasis on historical perspective and context. It is commonly acknowledged that an understanding of the past is fundamental to an understanding of the present. The analysis and interpretation of history provide an essential context for evaluating contemporary institutions, politics, and cultures.