By Diana Castro-Vasquez

History is a subject that many people overlook or deem unimportant. In reality, it’s so much more than a college elective or a set of dates to memorize. History helps us understand how society functions today — what caused a country to reach its current political state, what led to the creation of laws, and how humanity has advanced over time.

It’s easy to forget that the world we live in now hasn’t always been this way. For example, the U.S. Constitution is not the same document that was drafted when the colonies first declared independence from Britain. The United States did not always grant the same freedoms and rights to everyone.

There was a dark period when the nation allowed slavery. Even after it was abolished, African Americans continued to fight for their rights and endured the injustices of Jim Crow laws for decades. Native Americans were stripped of their lands and forced to assimilate. Women didn’t always have the right to vote, own property, or access birth control.

People have fought for equality for centuries — and for that reason, it’s essential that we remember what our ancestors fought for and how their struggles shaped the country we live in today.

I had the opportunity to interview two of our history professors, Dr. Allison Palmadessa and Dr. Jason Stroud. Dr. Palmadessa specializes in the history of higher education, while Dr. Stroud focuses on early American history, particularly the early American South.

“Yes, it is important to learn history,” Dr. Palmadessa said. “If individuals and groups do not understand how we arrived in a particular position or state, how can we possibly understand the current context — much less plan for the future?”

While Dr. Stroud agrees, he approaches it from a slightly different angle.

“In one word, yes — but I do not want to dictate to students what they should find important, compelling, or useful about it,” he said. “Different students will get different things from studying history. Some will benefit from practicing reading, writing, and argumentation. Others will draw lessons from the past that help them make sense of the world or themselves. Still others might just enjoy it as a story — a narrative that resonates with them. None of these are mutually exclusive, and I hope everyone finds something of value in studying history.”

Both professors were also asked whether failing to study history means we are bound to repeat it.

“History cannot possibly be repeated,” Dr. Palmadessa explained. “However, we can learn from the past to inform decision-making and avoid previous failures. Some theorists — like Marx and Vico — have argued that history does repeat itself, often with disastrous results. If we make the same mistakes, Vico suggests, we revert to a dark period of suffering and misery. While similar decisions or activities may produce parallel results, history itself cannot repeat because the context always changes. Hence, we should learn from the past to create a better future.”

Dr. Stroud shares a similar view.

“I don’t think history repeats, though we can draw meaningful parallels and connections between current and past events,” he said. “I understand why people compare our current political climate to difficult or frightening episodes from the past. But we are living in unique and, in many ways, unprecedented times. The forces on the rise today — racism, xenophobia, misogyny — have deep roots in our past. To study history critically is to recognize this, but also to see that people have always resisted them.”

Given the current political climate, I asked both professors whether they feel history is especially important to study right now.

“Absolutely,” Dr. Palmadessa said. “In my lifetime, it has never felt more important to study and know history. Division only breeds further suffering. We may not have a past that represents a perfect age, but we can use our knowledge of history to build a better future.”

Dr. Stroud agreed.

“Studying history is important no matter the political climate,” he said. “But it’s also always shaped by that climate. How we remember and think about the past — which isn’t exactly the same as history itself — affects modern politics, and vice versa. For this reason, I can’t remember a time when teaching and learning history felt more relevant or urgent than now.”

The perspectives of Dr. Palmadessa and Dr. Stroud are ones I, as a history major, deeply share. I’ve had classes with both of them and have had meaningful, thought-provoking conversations that shaped the way I see the past — and the present.

Once you start learning history and understanding it on a deeper level, it becomes personal. I highly encourage everyone to take courses with our history professors — Dr. Palmadessa, Dr. Stroud, and Dr. Campbell.

Some of my favorite classes have been History in Crime, American Women’s History, The Civil War and Reconstruction, History of Education, and Great Awakenings. There are many courses being offered for Spring 2026 — if you’re interested, contact your advisor and ask about them.