Historians have two main types: social scientists and political scientists. Social scientists research social issues like race, class, gender, religion, and national identity. Political scientists study political matters such as war, negotiation, diplomacy, and leadership. There are many sub-specialties in the field of history, including business history, medical history, and environmental history. Business history focuses on business cycles; medical history on medicine and disease, and environmental history on environmental change. Students who major in business history take a specific course, with some general liberal arts courses sprinkled in.
Reading and studying history can be exciting and fun. However, many students may feel stumped at certain points. Because there are various aspects to the history of the United States, students may feel confused and even get frustrated. Here are the main reasons why students fail to understand some of the primary events in the US.
First, many people do not take the time to really read through primary and secondary texts. Students generally take the main arguments and then read a side-by-side comparison of the two. While reading is important, it is also important to compare and contrast, as comparing and contrasting the facts depicted in these two texts can show many interesting insights into the nation’s history. For example, one author might present Lincoln as a man of honor and dedication while another author presents him as an egotistical bore. Reading more will help students see more clearly where Lincoln stands on important issues of government.
Second, many history teachers fail to use primary and secondary sources correctly. Without using primary and secondary sources, a history teacher can not tell an accurate account of how events really took place. Primary and secondary sources are meant to relay information that has already been reported or recorded by other individuals. Using these materials helps historians gain an understanding of how various aspects of history were covered.
Third, there are many historians who do not take into consideration the influence of human beings on the evolution of history. This is especially true in the case of the development of European civilization. During the Renaissance period, Europeans did not have much of a presence in the world, but they were known for many wars throughout the 15th century. Europe’s development came about because of interactions between local European cultures, as well as the outside world, which allowed for the mixing of new ideas, technologies, and traditions.
Lastly, human experience helps us learn more about ourselves. Through history, we learn to identify ourselves and our relationships to others. By analyzing human interaction and history, we also gain insights into the thinking and emotions of those who came before us. This understanding helps us understand ourselves better and how other individuals around us developed and interacted. Thus, historical study helps us understand ourselves better.
History helps us learn how to think properly and how to apply ourselves to solving problems in our lives. We learn what kinds of actions to take and what kind of people to associate with. Thus, by learning more about history, we can solve problems that trouble our present-day lives. History helps us make sense out of a messy and confusing life. By studying more about the history of the world, we can find better ways to deal with today’s problems.