All university students should be required to take history courses no matter what their field of study is.

All university students should be required to take history courses no matter what their field of study is.

History is important as it functions as a mirror. We constantly draw on our past experiences to judge the presence. Obviously, history is to students what sunlight is to flowers. As such, whatever students’ field of study is, they are supposed to take history courses.

First, few would deny that learning history can equip students with more knowledge, which is the first step to become well-informed. When students look back to those days, they have a chance to see every detail leading to either success or failure. A huge success in a war can give students an insight into the strategy. Likewise, students can get a lesson from a defeat and try not to make the same mistake. In this case, learning history won’t be limited to remembering numbers. Instead, students are trying to find a solution from the history, which exerts a subtle influence on their study.

Besides, students are likely to hone their critical thinking when they learn more about the history. For example, opinions on Adolf Hitler, one of the guiltiest people in the World War, vary from person to person. Based on what they have heard of, students usually have a superficial knowledge of his tyranny, let alone his merits. By contrast, when they take history courses and acquire more knowledge, they get to know that Hitler is also a talented speechmaker and a gifted commander. Under this circumstance, it is no exaggeration to say that students are inclined to show a balanced perspective when they have a deep understanding of history.

Granted, some history courses focus too much on dates and numbers. Students have to memorize for the memory’s sake, which contributes to their showing no interest in history. Yet universities can reduce such burden for students who don’t major in history.

In conclusion, taking history courses brings students great benefits. History greatly expands their horizons and reduces the possibility of looking at things from a biased perspective.