History
“What is Past is Prologue”
Why Study History?
We live in a time of constant change, an age where technology has utterly transformed global economics, politics and social affairs. Yet, in spite of these changes, eternal questions are still asked by human beings:
Who am I? What are the limits and possibilities of my humanity?
Why is there something instead of nothing? Why is what is the
way it is and not otherwise? What are death, god and freedom?
What are the immense spaces above us? What is the meaning of all those generations and cultures that precede us an of which only fragments remain?[1]
The History Programme at Waterloo Collegiate aims to offer students an educational environment where they may explore these and other questions and where they will be outfitted with the skills and knowledge to continue the pursuit of these questions at the post-secondary level. Moreover, even for those students who don’t go on to study history later in life, a good background in history allows students to be better prepared – both in terms of writing and analytical skills and knowledge – for the many changes we face in our time. What is past truly is prologue.
How Useful is Studying History?
Very useful! On the surface, some may conclude that success in life in the modern age is made possible only through the study of what are deemed the practical subjects. While there can be little argument about the utility of such disciplines, the liberal arts too offer students myriad opportunities. As Professor W.R. Newell has noted, “As we enter the twenty first century, our world is riven with contradictions - between our economic prosperity and our search for a spiritual purpose, between our assertion of limitless personal freedom and our craving for community. [The liberal arts] can provide us with some moral and spiritual ballast in the stormy seas of the coming century, our need for them is perhaps even greater today than in previous eras.”[2] Moreover, Canada’s high-tech corporations have publicly declared the importance they place on employees who bring to their tables well-rounded, liberal arts educations:
Yes this country needs more technology graduates…. But it is
impossible to operate an effective corporation in our new economy by employing technology graduates alone. We have an equally strong need for those with a broader background who can work in tandem with technical specialists….
A liberal arts and science education nurtures skills and talents
increasingly valued by modern corporations. To prosper we need creative thinkers at all levels…. They must be able to communicate – to reason, create, write and speak for shared purposes: For hiring, training, managing, marketing and policy-making. In short, they provide leadership.[3]
For further information on the importance of a liberal arts education, please see the Carleton University College of Humanities website.
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[1] W.R. Newell, “Why Read the Great Books,” National Post, July 18, 2000.
[2] W.R. Newell, “Why Read the Great Books,” National Post, July 18, 2000.
[3] “Statement by the leaders of Canada’s high technology corporations underscoring the importance of liberal arts education in the digital economy,” April 7, 2000. For the full text of the statement, please see www.carleton.ca/chum/statement.htm. See also “Arts students do better in life, new studies show” Ottawa Citizen, June 13, 1999 available on the Carleton website.