Defining History
The word “history” is derived from the Greek word ‘historia”, which means to inquiry knowledge through investigation. History is the body of knowledge concerned with the study of the past, not just any past but important events in human history. According to J.H.Plumb, “the past which the historian studies is not a dead past but rather, it is a past that is constantly impinging on the present”. History concerns itself with the explanation of how and why certain situations and events came about in the past. Its entails asking questions of the past: What happened? When did it happened? Why did it happened? To that end, E.H. Carr regards history as a dialogue between the present and the past. History studies the past for the purpose of understanding the present and having a view of the future. It also involves critical thinking about the stories people tell us about the past as well as the stories we tell ourselves.
Types of History
Political History: Political history studies the operation and organisation of power in societies. It entails the historical analysis of political events, movements, ideas, entities, and leaders, and the way all these elements shape the society as a whole.
Social History: It concerns itself with studying the experiences of ordinary people in the past. Subfield include demographic history, gender history, black history, urban and rural history, etc.
Cultural History: Cultural history studies and interprets the record of human societies by indicating the various distinctive ways of living built by a group of people. It entails the aggregate of past cultural activity such as ceremony, and the interaction with locales.
Economic History: This entails the study of economic phenomena or economies of the past, including topics like financial and business history.
Nigerian History
West African History
Eastern, Central, and South African History
Latin American History
Asian History
North African History
International Relations/Studies
Women Studies
Development Studies
Importance of Studying History
Without knowing what happened in the past, it would be highly difficult if not impossible for us to know how we get to where we are today. According to Tekena Tamuna, “a nation which neglect its history has not made serious efforts to benefit from its past experience”. Thus, the study of history is important for many reasons, some of which include:
- History helps us to understand people and societies. History is the study of both change and continuity. Thus, the study of history enables us to understand change and how the society we live in came to be.
- History helps to promote understanding between cultures and between national traditions. It also helps us to appreciate our cultural values and other groups in our society, thereby encouraging us to preserve and promote our cultural heritage.
- The study of history is important for the socio-economic and political development of any nation.
- The study of history helps to develop the minds of students, enabling them to think critically and to make astute judgement about human situations.
- History helps to widen students experience and develop qualities of perception and sound judgement, while fostering intellectual independence and maturity.
- History enables us to understand the past and through it, a better understanding of the present, which can also enable us make projection about the future. It helps to connect peoples, events, and things through time
- History places specific emphasis on the development of independent thought and analytical skills. The study of history provides students the opportunity to acquire important skills such as critical thinking skills, oral presentation and communication skills, research and writing skills, etc.
- History helps in promoting tolerance, nationhood, national integration, and peaceful coexistence in any society. It enables individuals to have a sense of shared community.
- History helps to provide political education for the leadership elites in all societies.
- The study of history enables students to understand the intricacy of historical causes and to doubt the simple mono-causal explanation.
Careers for History Graduates
Often times, undergraduate students wonder what they can do with a degree in history. The truth is that with a degree in history, you can do anything and work anywhere you want to work. Some career destinations for history graduates include:
- Academic researcher
- Musuem/Galary Curator
- Heritage/Conservation Manager
- Archivist
- Policy officer
- Academic librarian
- Human Resources Officer
- Public Relations Officer
- Programme Officer
- NGO/CSO worker
- Research Analyst
- Teaching/Lecturing
- Genealogist
- Writer and Editor
- Political Scientist
- Development Practitioner
- Paralegal
- Reporter or Journalist
- Business Consultant
- Foreign Service
Feel free to list others in the comment section.