An understanding of history provides valuable insights into cultures and problems of civilizations. A certain elasticity of mind is required of the history major, who must learn to see the whole and also comprehend the interaction of the parts. This intellectual ability is useful in many fields, such as law, marketing and journalism. The department offers a range of courses and seminars making possible study of America, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia, as well as African American and women's history.