What is History?

Everything has a history. When you begin to study it, you start to see the forces that shape:

• Government and politics
• Science, medicine and technology
• Culture, identity and storytelling
• Migration, conflict and cooperation
• Public health
• Human rights and social change

Understanding where ideas come from helps you make sense of the world today.

Historians are investigators. They look for patterns, meaning and hidden stories in the records people leave behind. Their work includes:

• Reading archival documents, letters, images and oral histories
• Comparing perspectives to understand complex events
• Revisiting familiar narratives to include voices that were once overlooked
• Asking new questions that reveal fresh insight
• Showing how the past shapes identities, choices and opportunities today 

History is never static. It evolves as new evidence is discovered and interpretations shift.

At UB you can explore topics across centuries and continents, including:

• LGBTQ history
• Histories of science, disability and medicine
• Indigenous experiences
• Histories of drug and alcohol use
• Modern United States and Early Modern Europe
• Colonial Brazil and ancient China

These courses broaden your global perspective and show how different communities navigated power, conflict and change.

Studying history builds skills that matter in every field:

• Critical thinking
• Clear writing
• Careful research
• Evidence-based reasoning
• Understanding issues from multiple viewpoints 

Whether you pursue law, public service, education, museums, business, media or nonprofit work, these skills help you solve problems and communicate effectively.

History opens doors to countless paths. At UB you will explore big questions, work with supportive faculty and build skills that prepare you for a wide range of careers.

Explore our programs, meet our faculty and imagine where a degree in history can take you.

Choose the path that fits your goals.