Epsilon Open Archive

Abstract

Are students at a university focused on natural sciences interested in history education? This report presents the results of a survey asking students at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) about their interest in history and education. The overarching question has been: Do students at SLU think it is important to learn about history? More than 860 students completed the survey. The results reveal that most students have high interest in history closely connected to their own education and they think history gives perspective on their subjects and provides context. Most students actually think they will improve in their professional life if they know the history of their own profession.

This report presents how students in different educational programs perceive history and history education and makes it possible to compare educational programs as well as opinions of students from different faculties. The report concludes with some suggestions for future teaching. History has to be better integrated into SLU's educational programs to fulfill the students' request for more knowledge in history. Many students also want to dig deeper into history and request open courses in history.