Given the ever-increasing importance of STEM education in the 21st century, studying the humanities can seem unimportant or frivolous. However, the practical and intellectual benefits of specializing in a subject like history are profound and wide-ranging.
It is nearly impossible to understand today’s interconnected world without developing a comprehensive global perspective on world events. An education of the kind provided by the Northern Kentucky University (NKU) online Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History program is one way of achieving this.
What Is World History?
History is an academic discipline that seeks to understand and explain the past. While history concerns itself with facts, students sometimes misunderstand the subject as merely the memorization of dates and names. Properly understood, however, studying history is a method of attaining a deeper understanding of humanity.
“History is the study of people, actions, decisions, interactions and behaviours,” according to History Today, a monthly magazine focused on history. “It is so compelling a subject because it encapsulates themes which expose the human condition in all of its guises and that resonate throughout time: power, weakness, corruption, tragedy, [and] triumph.”
World history, also known as global history, takes a big-picture approach to studying the past. As stated by the World History Association, a scholarly organization dedicated to the research, publication, and teaching of world history: “World historians use a wide spatial lens, though they do not always take the entire world as their unit of analysis.”
What Do You Learn in World History?
For those studying history, the learning possibilities are extensive. A history degree will undoubtedly expand one’s factual knowledge of the past and world events. It also allows students to develop crucial soft skills, such as research, curiosity and critical thinking. According to Curious Desire, studying history can also increase cultural awareness and appreciation for diversity, exposing students to a broad range of societies and cultural values.
At NKU, students enrolled in the online B.A. in History program can take classes like World History to 1500 and World History Since 1500, which offer a broad overview of the world’s political, social, economic and cultural development before and during the modern era. Students also take the Global Viewpoints in History class, which “examines a particular continent, cultural region, or nation, focusing on the historical themes, people, and events that fashioned it today, especially those relating to imperialism and colonialism.”
What Can You Do With a History Degree?
Graduates who leave school with a history degree are well prepared to continue their history education, and some might want to become professional historians themselves. These students might attain a Master’s degree or Ph.D. in history, which would help position them for an academic career.
However, becoming a historian and devoting one’s life to scholarship is not the only option. NKU’s online B.A. in History program page lists other potential career options, such as lawyer, writer, business professional and educator, with some of these roles requiring further specialized education.
The Time to Study History Is Now
There has never been a more important time to study history, especially for students who wish to gain a thorough and useful perspective on global issues. “Studying history helps to develop critical thinking skills, which are essential for solving problems and making decisions,” explains Curious Desire. “The subject encourages students to ask questions and analyze different perspectives, which can help them to think more creatively when tackling new challenges.”
These are just some of the skills gained through the online B.A. in History program from NKU. Graduates are positioned for several exciting paths that integrate writing, critical thinking and research skills.
Learn more about NKU’s online B.A. in History program.
