History embraces the sum of the human experience and facilitates imaginative encounters with the past. The study of the past not only prepares students for understanding the present, but also arms them with important research and professional skills: the ability to evaluate evidence, which is often contradictory or incomplete; construct plausible interpretations of, or arguments about, that evidence; and present their interpretations in a coherent, persuasive manner. The BA in History prepares students for careers in teaching, law, business, publishing, and media.