Historians believe that the past is worth knowing, and that the most important wisdom that they can contribute to the education of young Americans is knowledge of where they stand in the stream of time. The Department believes that students must have the ability to think in time, to draw causal inferences from the past, and to understand the complex, sometimes perverse, contours of human development. Students have to recognize that historical materials, by their nature, pose unique challenges of interpretation and use. They must learn how to weigh evidence, quote with proper identification of voice, and use proper footnote form. But lifetime jobs are not always made in college.
Many successful individuals change positions three or four times in the years after graduation.
Adaptability and flexibility are important assets in today's mobile society and rapidly changing job market. The ability to handle written information thoughtfully and accurately is an important skill in business, education, and government. Teaching is therefore only one of the many careers open to history majors. Federal, state and local governments offer a variety of opportunities for historians. 103 Foundations of Western Civilization HIST 105 Emergence of European Civilization or HIST 105 Emergence of European Civilization HIST 106 Contemporary Europe 6 s.hrs.