Why CU Boulder Needs to Teach History to All Students

CU Boulder is missing a big chance to shape well-rounded students. Right now, students can graduate without ever taking a history class. This isn't just a small oversight. It sends a clear message: the university doesn't think knowing history is important. History isn't just about memorizing dates and names. It's about understanding how things change over time. It helps people see how events connect and why things happen the way they do. Without this knowledge, people can easily believe false stories about the past. Think about how some political groups twist history to fit their views. They might say things like, "America was perfect in the past. " But without knowing real history, people can't tell if these claims are true or not. They become easy targets for misleading ideas. At CU Boulder, students can skip history classes entirely. Even in the College of Engineering, there's no requirement to take any history courses. This means students might graduate without ever learning how past events shape the world today. This needs to change. Every student should take at least two history classes. One should focus on U. S. history, and the other on global history. These classes should be challenging and make students think critically. They should learn to analyze primary sources and understand different perspectives. Some might argue that this is too much to ask. But history is a powerful tool. It helps people make sense of the world and spot false information. By not teaching history, CU Boulder is leaving its students unprepared for the real world.