What is History?

"Since history has no properly scientific value, its only purpose is educative. And if historians neglect to educate the public, if they fail to interest it intelligently in the past, then all their historical learning is valueless except in so far as it educates themselves." G. M. Trevelyan.

Historians do not perform heart transplants, improve highway design, or arrest criminals. In a society that quite correctly expects education to serve useful purposes, the functions of history can seem more difficult to define than those of engineering or medicine. History is in fact very useful, actually indispensable, but the products of historical study are less tangible, sometimes less immediate, than those that stem from some other disciplines.

Peter Stearns

What are your thoughts on the above quotes?

Welcome to World Civilization 104

Hello students and welcome to the most important class you have ever registered for. I hope you find the experience rewarding and revealing. This blog is specifically designed to facilitate an ongoing discussion on history and its relevance to you. Each week a post will be made and you are to respond to that post by Friday 12 noon of the same week. After that time you will be able to comment but that comment will not be used for grading purposes. You MUST comment since this exercise is compulsory. Your comments should be no more than 150 words. Well let's get started and I know you will enjoy the journey.