Historical narrative occupies a central position in a liberal arts education. Such education equips individuals to understand and appreciate the world and to meet its challenges. The study of History contributes much to these ends, maintaining that people and society are, in important respects, the products of their past; therefore, the story of the past provides insight helpful to both personal and social development.

Moreover, History stands at the core of a liberal arts education since one aim of that education is to integrate the various disciplines. Taking as its subject a narrative of individuals and society in the past, History draws upon all disciplines to discuss that past. It provides a narrative framework for the study of other disciplines and helps the advanced student integrate various academic perspectives.