Description
From 1969 to 1985, the History major experienced its most substantial decrease, which followed the surge in college attendance during the 1960s. Today, the major has reached its lowest enrollment levels since that time. The objective of this endeavor is to monitor how higher education has transformed since World War II and the causes that led to the downfall of the History major in the 1980s and presently. To comprehend this drop, one must investigate the reasons behind its rise in popularity during the 1950s and, particularly, the 1960s, with a focus on the Black Campus Movement and the establishment of Ethnic Studies programs that primarily focused on African-American studies. In actuality, this section will support historian Martha Biondi's assertion that the majority of campus protests during that time were not focused on the Vietnam War but instead, the matter of black educational rights. This ultimately led to an increased interest in the History major, with more classes available on African-American history and minority history, in general. The primary aim of this work is to connect the period between 1969-1985 and the current period since the 2008 financial crisis to gain a deeper understanding of the reasons for the History major's significant decline. Furthermore, the principal causes of this decline seem to be the growing awareness of post-college earning potential, negative perceptions of history majors, and a shift towards majors that are perceived to have more practical and direct career paths, such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields.
The Vanishing Past: Exploring the Rise and Decline of the History Major Since 1950
From 1969 to 1985, the History major experienced its most substantial decrease, which followed the surge in college attendance during the 1960s. Today, the major has reached its lowest enrollment levels since that time. The objective of this endeavor is to monitor how higher education has transformed since World War II and the causes that led to the downfall of the History major in the 1980s and presently. To comprehend this drop, one must investigate the reasons behind its rise in popularity during the 1950s and, particularly, the 1960s, with a focus on the Black Campus Movement and the establishment of Ethnic Studies programs that primarily focused on African-American studies. In actuality, this section will support historian Martha Biondi's assertion that the majority of campus protests during that time were not focused on the Vietnam War but instead, the matter of black educational rights. This ultimately led to an increased interest in the History major, with more classes available on African-American history and minority history, in general. The primary aim of this work is to connect the period between 1969-1985 and the current period since the 2008 financial crisis to gain a deeper understanding of the reasons for the History major's significant decline. Furthermore, the principal causes of this decline seem to be the growing awareness of post-college earning potential, negative perceptions of history majors, and a shift towards majors that are perceived to have more practical and direct career paths, such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields.