History

History aims to understand and interpret the past. It is the subject that brings the past into the present. History is a dynamic discipline, since each generation returns to the past with different questions, based on their own experiences and concerns. Historical analysis brings together facts, diverse interpretations and moral judgements to analyse the background to contemporary conditions. Perhaps more importantly, History can also help us to imagine the kinds of futures we want to live.

As an interpretive discipline, History helps to sharpen the skills needed in a broad range of occupations. It teaches us to research information, to critically evaluate debates, and to communicate our arguments and beliefs clearly and effectively. It enriches our experience of the world by offering ways to understand the broad scope of human experiences - from our everyday lives, to larger global processes.

Studying History at Wollongong is also about learning what it is to be a historian with each subject containing steps towards developing a sophisticated critical appreciation of contemporary approaches to historical theories, methods, historiography, interpretation, argument, and uses of evidence.