Why Choose History?

Because History teaches you to appreciate and evaluate the world beyond your own lived experience.

• The study of History can take you to cultures, places, and events beyond the here-and-now. You can study politics, armies, social groups, the ties between the sexes, big ideas, art, or the making of great literature.

Because the study of History can train you to write, think, and argue critically.

• Historians are analysts of complex data, exotic documents, mysterious images and writers of persuasive prose. Some History majors go on to graduate studies and careers in schools, universities, and archives. Others find that they are highly prepared for law school, journalism, politics, social services, or any number of other jobs that require analytical skills.

Because our History faculty are nationally and internationally known as experts in their fields.

• They combine top-rate research in their specialities with a dedication to teaching. Classes are usually small so that students can work personally with professors.

USC History Faculty 2007:

Because USC and the Los Angeles area provides some of the best resources for historical study in the country.

• The History Department hosts its own web-based archival and image databases. Nearby are the world-famous Huntington Library, the Getty Museum and Library, and all the other museums and archives of the LA region.