Description: In this article, History Tutor Robert shares his perspectives on the importance of History and what students can learn from the discipline.
Historians
Throughout my time studying History at GCSE, A-Level and University, I have always been asked the same question: What do you study in History?
This is a very objective question as different people within the discipline, both academics and famous historians, have varying answers.
This is sometimes down to their own interests.
I know many people during my degrees at the University of Winchester who would classify themselves as Medieval or Early Modern Historians.
This is because they enjoy studying and researching periods.
Especially between the Battle of Hastings of 1066 to the French Revolution of 1789-1799.
However, I would classify myself as a Modern Historian.
I enjoy researching topics that involve the British and French Empires, the First World War and the Second World War.
My own research is currently exploring how children and adolescents in urban and rural areas of England experienced the Second World War.
This is through Youth Movements and how they engaged with the ideas of citizenship and community.
Our different interests within History are able to develop in an inclusive environment.
This is where we will often engage in conversation about the research being carried out.
Humanities and Social Studies
Compared to what we often hear from educationalists, where Primary and Secondary Schools need to focus on subjects that are able to better equip students for working life in the modern world.
The main subject areas that are constantly being promoted as the main disciplines students should go for are Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Conversely, subjects within the Humanities and Social Sciences such as History are sometimes considered irrelevant.
They not only take people away from the more useful disciplines but, often ask the question of What is the point of studying a subject in the Humanities and Social Sciences?
This article is by no means suggesting that STEM subjects are not important. They are extremely valuable.
I am trying to articulate that subjects like History are not constrained to one topic but are multidisciplinary.
For instance, History can be used in Science.
The lessons from the former discipline can provide insight into how to make ethical choices.
This can then be related to technology or engineering principles.
History Helps Us Understand Change
Through history, students learn how past civilisations were built.
How they operated and how they evolved into the current world by analysing society, systems, ideologies, governments, cultures and technologies.
For example, studying the First World War shows students how political opinions towards women’s right to vote changed once they became the main workforce in industrial centres while the men were fighting on the Western Front.
The Second World War on the other hand highlights the technological advancements.
These were made during the period as radar and Alan Turing’s Bombe which was able to decode the Enigma code.
Through this knowledge, you can start to see what changes might happen in the future and what could drive those changes.
Learning from Past Mistakes
History also gives us a better opportunity to understand how the world we live in operates and the many complexities there are.
When studying conflicts, whether it is the First World War, the Second World War or the Vietnam War, there is never a clear-cut answer to the origins of these wars.
For example, there are many reasons for the origins of the First World War.
They range from the Arms Race between Britain and Germany as well as colonial disputes to the Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914.
As a result, students can understand the different reasons for the war starting and come up with their own conclusion.
Critical Thinking and Transferable Skills
The previous two sections lead to my final point.
Learning from past mistakes and how the subject has enabled us to understand change, unlocks the ability of critically thinking.
Critical thinking is a process of actively and skilfully thinking about ideas or situations to understand them fully.
They help identify their implications and make a judgement.
You can use critical thinking in your own essays.
By doing so, you are showing to the examiner that you understand the evidence that is presented.
This is definitely something that you can use as a transferable skill.
Employers are always looking for future employees with this capacity.
Final Note
It is my argument that studying history gives you the necessary qualities of perception and judgement.
Whilst fostering intellectual independence, sharpness and maturity.
Therefore if History is something that appeals to you because it is something that you enjoy or you want to gain further transferable skills, then I would suggest that this is a subject for you.
By tutor Robert. Contact Us