Tulane’s School of Liberal Arts - Department of History

MISSION STATEMENT The history department’s mission for our majors is to ground students in the foundations of the human experience. We explore cause-and-effect relationships in human affairs and encourage them to understand the power and complexity of the past in shaping the contemporary human condition. We strive to convey to all our students an understanding of historical actors, events, belief systems, material realities, and cultural values that have shaped the world in which they live. History courses at both the introductory and advanced levels emphasize focus and in-depth historical knowledge and skills that are essential for personal and professional growth and success—including critical analysis and reasoning, and written and oral communication. In so doing, our mission helps fulfill Tulane University’s mission to enrich the capacity of its students to think, to learn, and to act and lead with integrity and wisdom.