Lori Meadows
History is a broad and diverse subject that can lead to a wide range of career paths. Universities look for students who are curious about the past and keen to develop a critical understanding of it. History students are expected to be independent thinkers who can analyse and evaluate historical sources and engage in historiographical debates. They should be prepared to encounter unfamiliar topics and be able to adapt to the university's teaching style, which may involve a broader context and themes rather than a strict chronological approach. In addition to strong research and analytical skills, universities also seek students with good written and verbal communication skills, as these are essential for presenting arguments and discussions in essays and oral presentations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Independent thought | |
| Breadth of knowledge | Themes are as important as chronology |
| Critical thinking | |
| Analytical skills | |
| Ability to process and synthesise vast amounts of information | |
| Ability to engage in historiographical debate | |
| Verbal and written communication skills | |
| Ability to understand historical relationships | |
| Ability to analyse the overall impact of historic occurrences, trends and artefacts on the world | |
| Ability to collaborate with students who share similar interests | |
| Ability to conduct research | |
| Ability to gain hands-on experience | |
| Ability to work with experts in the field |
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What You'll Learn
Critical thinking and analytical skills
At the university level, history students are expected to engage with historiographical debates and develop their own arguments and interpretations. This involves reading and analysing primary and secondary sources, evaluating the arguments and conclusions of other historians, and formulating their own responses. Critical thinking skills are necessary for this process, as students must be able to identify biases, assumptions, and limitations in the existing scholarship and consider alternative explanations or interpretations.
To develop their critical thinking and analytical skills, history students should be encouraged to read widely and expose themselves to a variety of perspectives. This includes engaging with primary sources, such as historical documents, artefacts, and first-hand accounts, as well as secondary sources, such as books, journal articles, and other scholarly works. By doing so, students can gain a deeper understanding of the historical context, the existing interpretations, and the ongoing debates within the field.
In addition to reading and analysing sources, history students should also practise formulating and articulating their own arguments and interpretations. This can be done through written assignments, essays, and examinations, as well as through oral presentations and class discussions. By actively engaging with the material and contributing their own insights, students can refine their critical thinking and analytical skills and develop a more nuanced understanding of history.
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Ability to process and synthesise information
History is a broad and diverse field that covers a wide range of eras, cultures, and types of history. As such, history students need to be able to process and synthesise large amounts of information from various sources. This includes engaging with historiographical debates, analysing arguments, and evaluating primary and secondary sources.
One key aspect of studying history at university is the development of critical thinking and analytical skills. Students are expected to question the author's thoughts, argue with their conclusions, and evaluate their reasoning. This requires reading widely and gaining a deep understanding of the historical context. University history essays, for example, require students to present a clear argument and engage with historiographical debates, demonstrating their ability to process and synthesise information from multiple sources.
The ability to process and synthesise information is also crucial for understanding historical relationships and connections. History is not just about memorising dates and events; it involves understanding the complex interplay between various factors and how they shape the world. This includes analysing the impact of historical occurrences, trends, and artefacts on society, politics, and culture. For example, students might explore how revolutions and civil wars have influenced the development of specific countries' governments or how beliefs have shaped contemporary thinking.
In addition to academic research and writing, history students may also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through internships, research projects, and collaborations with other students. These experiences further enhance their ability to process and synthesise information as they apply their knowledge to real-world situations and engage with history on a personal level.
Overall, the ability to process and synthesise information is a key skill for history students, enabling them to navigate the vast array of information available, develop critical thinking and analytical skills, and understand the complex relationships and connections within history.
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Understanding historiographical debate
At university, history students are expected to read widely and engage with a variety of primary and secondary sources. This means reading and evaluating the works of multiple historians, questioning their thoughts, arguing with their conclusions, and assessing their reasoning. This process is essential for developing a critical understanding of history and forming one's own interpretations.
The ability to engage in historiographical debate is a key skill that history students develop. It involves analysing the arguments, methodologies, and evidence used by different historians and identifying areas of consensus and contention. Students learn to recognise the subjective nature of historical interpretation and the influence of factors such as personal bias, ideological stance, and the availability of sources.
Historiographical debates often centre around interpretations of historical events, the significance of particular factors, and the use of specific methodologies. For example, debates may arise over the causes of a particular revolution, the impact of a historical figure, or the effectiveness of a specific historical approach. These debates are ongoing and evolve as new evidence emerges, old evidence is reinterpreted, and historians bring fresh perspectives to the field.
Developing the skill to understand and contribute to these debates is a crucial aspect of studying history at university. It involves not only consuming and evaluating existing historiography but also formulating and presenting one's own arguments and interpretations. This process fosters critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing.
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Written and verbal communication skills
History is a broad subject that encompasses a wide range of eras, cultures, and specialisations. Universities value students who possess strong written and verbal communication skills, as these are essential for effectively conveying historical knowledge and arguments.
Written communication skills are crucial for history students, as they are assessed primarily through written assignments, examinations, and dissertations. History students must be able to articulate their understanding of historical topics and engage in historiographical debates through their writing. This involves analysing and synthesising vast amounts of information from primary and secondary sources, including books, journals, and artefacts. Written assignments often require students to evaluate different arguments and present their own interpretations and conclusions clearly and persuasively. Developing strong writing skills enables history students to effectively communicate their ideas and contribute to the broader historical discourse.
Verbal communication skills are also highly valued in history students. While written assignments are prevalent, oral presentations and group discussions are also common components of history degrees. Participating in seminars, debates, and tutorials enhances students' verbal communication skills and allows them to practise articulating their thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely. Moreover, history students are often expected to collaborate with peers and faculty members, and strong verbal communication facilitates meaningful contributions to these interactions. Engaging in oral examinations or defending a dissertation further emphasises the importance of verbal communication skills in the field of history.
The development of written and verbal communication skills is not only essential for academic success in history but also prepares students for a diverse range of career paths. History graduates pursue careers in fields such as academia, research, journalism, law, business, politics, and education, where effective communication is invaluable. Strong communication skills enable history graduates to convey complex historical information to diverse audiences, engage in intellectual debates, and influence others through their writing and speech.
To cultivate these skills, history students should embrace opportunities to write and speak about historical topics. This may include contributing to class discussions, participating in group projects, presenting research, and seeking feedback on their written and verbal communication skills. Additionally, reading widely and exposing themselves to diverse historical texts can enhance their vocabulary, comprehension, and ability to construct compelling arguments. By prioritising the development of written and verbal communication skills, history students can excel in their academic pursuits and future careers.
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Breadth of knowledge
A history degree is one of the broadest subjects you can study at university, and it is taught in very different ways across various institutions. The subject covers several strands, including economic, cultural, social, and political history, as well as the history of ideas. These topics can be studied at local, national, or international levels, and degrees may focus on specific areas of interest to faculty members. For example, at the University of Melbourne in Australia, students can specialise in Australian history, while at Mexico's Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, one can study Mesoamerican history.
University history is about independent thought and the ability to think critically about the past and how it influences the present and future. To gain a true understanding of a historical topic, students must question the author's thoughts, argue with their conclusions, and evaluate their reasoning. This is achieved by reading widely and gaining a broader and deeper knowledge. For instance, to truly appreciate the Tudor Reformation, lectures may date back to the 1300s and the Crusades.
History is concerned with the past and its present legacy, and students will learn to analyse the overall impact of historical occurrences, trends, and artefacts on the world. They will also gain problem-solving skills that are transferable across several industries, especially in business, politics, and academics.
History degrees often provide hands-on learning experiences beyond the classroom, such as working with archivists, exhibit curators, and history professors. Students may also have the opportunity to travel the world and engage with history on a personal level, seeing artefacts and sites they have learned about.
In terms of assessment, history students will be expected to write essays and sit examinations. Essays will require students to present an argument and analyse different viewpoints. Examinations may take place at the end of the degree or at intervals throughout. The degree will typically conclude with a dissertation focusing on a specialised area of interest, requiring an in-depth discussion and analysis of a set topic, usually chosen by the student.
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Frequently asked questions
History students need strong research, communication, analytical, and critical thinking skills. They must be able to think independently, read widely, and engage in historiographical debates.
History graduates can pursue careers in academia, research, civil service, politics, journalism, consultancy, banking, business, PR, marketing, retail, accountancy, law, and education, among others.
History degree specializations vary depending on the university and country of study. Some common specializations include art history, ancient history, military history, European history, American history, and national or regional history, such as Australian history at the University of Melbourne or Mesoamerican history at Mexico's Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
University history courses focus on providing a broad knowledge base and developing critical thinking and analytical skills. Lectures may cover a wide chronological range and address themes and contexts rather than strict chronology. Assessment methods include written assignments, examinations, and a final dissertation on a specialized topic.
History students may encounter unfamiliar essay topics and vague essay questions. They will need to conduct independent research, engage with primary and secondary sources, and develop their own arguments and interpretations.
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