What is History Really?
In theory what is it?
To teach students to think like historians.What is it used for?
Any writing, critical thinking, analysis, research in any field, be it law, business, history, education…What does the major actually entail - work-wise?
I wrote an 85-page thesis researched primarily at Boston University and Cornell University, defended it, took written comprehensive exams, and took oral comprehensive exams. I was required to study abroad and demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English.History at ENC involves a lot of reading, and writing critical reviews, you need to craft well-written papers and analyses. You need to be able to contribute to discussion beyond the "fluff" of interpretation, but realise the value of varied perspectives.The best part about where I went to school is that I could get into Boston on the T, so I basically had all the world at my fingertips and was serious about academics.What kind of jobs do you get with it?
Pretty much anything or nothing. Lawyer, coach, President & CEO, teacher, re-enactor, editor of a journal… It depends on your ability to market the skills you've acquired; plus I'd imagine that colleges with a poor history major focus more on the stereotypical "facts and dates" than they do on critical thinking, but that's just a guess.What are the fellow students like (personalitywise) in it?
Either very concerned with nonstandard interpretations of history and the world, or very cutthroat about others' opinions. Either way, history students tend to be (really need to be) capable of thought; otherwise they shouldn't pick a major that teaches them how to think and should opt for one that will just tell you what to think.Common Misconceptions
Most people think 2 things: 1) A history major is useless—it's not useless, but you do need to overcome that misconception to market what can really be a VERY useful degree; 2) History is all about "facts and dates"—it's largely about reading, writing, researching, and analyzing to synthesize concepts and ideas USING those building blocks instead of focusing on them.
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it!