Overview of History

Welcome to the Department of History

Namkelekile kwiSebe LeZembali

Welkom na die Department van Geskiedenis

Many people live under a misapprehension of what history is all about. It is widely believed, for instance, that the main requirement for the study of history is a good memory so that you can remember all those facts (especially dates). A good memory is, of course, an invaluable asset, but it is no more a requirement for studying history than for any other subject. Our purpose in the History Department is NOT to make you absorb, memorise and regurgitate historical facts, but to encourage you to think imaginatively, critically, analytically and independently. If you learn to think in such ways you will have acquired skills that will serve you not only in a wide range of careers (teaching, law, public service, journalism, politics, trade union work, business - to name a few) but also in the private spheres of inter-personal relations, and social and cultural life.

If you major in history at Rhodes you should come out with a much deeper understanding of the world, the continent, the country, and the region in which you live. Our courses cover a variety of geographical areas and time periods. We would like to be able to expand the range of course offerings, but with a full-time teaching staff of only seven members that is not possible.

You should bear in mind that history deals with all aspects of human existence - not just politics, government, religion and interstate relations, but also with the economy, culture, social life, gender relations, the realm of ideas, the human psyche, the environment. Thus history links well with a number of other disciplines - especially Philosophy, Politics, Anthropology, Sociology, English, Economics, Geography, Journalism, and Law.