In WSJ, 皇家华人 History Majors Stand Up for Their Studies
May 15, 2019
Two 皇家华人 history majors argued for the value and continued relevance of their studies in the Wall Street Journal. Their letters are featured in the 鈥淔uture View鈥 section, a recurring department that poses questions to college students.
At the suggestion of William R. Kenan Professor of History John Wertheimer, Kelley Scholars Olivia Daniels 鈥19 and Ethan Ehrenhaft 鈥20 wrote to defend the study of history in an era that places ever greater emphasis on disciplines with immediate and obvious connections to professional careers.
Daniels and Ehrenhaft both found that the rich stories they explored in the classroom gave them deeper understanding of the present.
鈥淭he study of history made me consider the complex, multidimensional stories behind every event, person, place and trend,鈥 Daniels wrote.
Ehrenhaft argued that the skills a history major develops may not translate to a specific career but they are foundational in any field.
鈥淓verything has a history, from economics to neuroscience, and I see these diverse interests reflected in the work of my peers,鈥 he wrote. 鈥淓ach of us can find an area of fascination to explore. History also forces students to write argumentatively, a skill that has yet to be automated, and it examines the consequences of past mistakes -- an important pursuit.鈥
