Why Study History?

Why, indeed? Were you aware, when you were in elementary and even high school, that there was controversy about the version of history contained in your textbooks? Here in Texas there is a constant complaint that history texts give too much attention to certain groups, or that not enough attention is paid. Margaret MacMillan has written a book, Dangerous Games, about the uses of history in contemporary society and politics. It's reviewed in last weekend's NY Times Sunday Magazine. Every Baylor student is required to take some sort of humanities course, history among the approved subjects. What do you think about that requirement in view of Dr. MacMillan's idea that history teaches us "humility, skepticism, and an awareness of ourselves?"