5 answers
Hannah
Student
Frankfort, Indiana
1
Question
Asked
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What should I study if I can’t choose between History, English, or anthropology. Convince me why one speciality is best suited for my interests.
I am current student at community college, I will be transferring in 2026 to Purdue’s college of liberal arts. I love writing, more specifically trying out poetry techniques, but I also love research, specifically into the history of science and technology, learning about how advances in science in the renaissance have influenced the world as we know it. I’m also interested in the intersection of science and art during the renaissance.
My goal is to be a college professor, help me make the right choice.
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5 answers
Jerry Tingstad
Professor/middle school teacher/48 years
138
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
First, Karein's answer is an excellent one, considering your interests.
Second, it is not my "job" to convince you of anything, you must work all the "convincing" out for yourself.
You have interesting assorted interests. These days?, always include science, and then stick with the Renaissance, as that appears to be the focus of your interest.
And as you advance educationally, and hopefully with advanced degrees, doing what you want to do and earring a living will coincide.
Second, it is not my "job" to convince you of anything, you must work all the "convincing" out for yourself.
You have interesting assorted interests. These days?, always include science, and then stick with the Renaissance, as that appears to be the focus of your interest.
And as you advance educationally, and hopefully with advanced degrees, doing what you want to do and earring a living will coincide.
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
647
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Hannah,
Given your interest in history and science, I would recommend to pursue the new History of Science program at Purdue:
https://www.cla.purdue.edu/academic/history/undergraduate/degree-science-technology-and-medicine.html
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Given your interest in history and science, I would recommend to pursue the new History of Science program at Purdue:
https://www.cla.purdue.edu/academic/history/undergraduate/degree-science-technology-and-medicine.html
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Erika Trageser
Research Operations Program Manager
3
Answers
Livermore, California
Updated
Erika’s Answer
I would recommend Anthropology as it can be applied to career paths within technology like user experience research
Charlotte Geiger
Public Health Science Student at the University of Maryland
151
Answers
Sykesville, Maryland
Updated
Charlotte’s Answer
Hey there,
That’s a fascinating combination of interests, and it’s great that you’re already planning your path to becoming a college professor! Since you love writing, poetry, historical research, and exploring the intersection of science and art during the Renaissance, let’s break down how each of your potential majors—History, English, and Anthropology—aligns with your interests and goals.
1. English:
Why It’s a Good Fit:
Writing and Poetry:
You’ll study a wide range of literature, including poetry, prose, and creative writing techniques.
Purdue’s English program is known for its strong emphasis on literary analysis and writing skills.
Historical and Cultural Context:
Literature courses often explore how historical events and cultural movements (like the Renaissance) influence literary works.
Opportunities to Blend Interests:
You can focus on literary works from the Renaissance, analyzing how science and art intersected during that period.
Academic Path:
English degrees often lead to roles as college professors, literary scholars, or writers.
Why It’s the Best Fit:
You’re passionate about writing and poetry, and English will allow you to deepen your skills while also exploring historical contexts through literature.
2. History:
Why It’s a Good Fit:
Research Focus:
You’ll dive deep into the history of science and technology, particularly during the Renaissance.
Purdue’s history program allows you to study intellectual history, which includes examining how scientific advances shaped society.
Interdisciplinary Potential:
You can explore courses that focus on the Renaissance’s impact on modernity, blending your interests in science, art, and historical progress.
Analytical and Research Skills:
History trains you to analyze primary sources, conduct research, and build evidence-based arguments—crucial for a future professor.
Why It’s the Best Fit:
If your passion for historical research outweighs your desire to write creatively, History will give you the academic foundation to teach and research the topics you love.
3. Anthropology:
Why It’s a Good Fit:
Cultural Perspectives:
Anthropology would allow you to study how cultural contexts shape scientific and artistic advancements.
Historical and Social Focus:
You could explore the cultural impact of scientific progress, particularly how Renaissance ideas transformed societies.
Interdisciplinary Research:
Anthropology allows for ethnographic and historical analysis, giving you tools to study how art and science intersected within cultures.
Field Work:
You may get the chance to conduct field research or archival studies, combining historical analysis with cultural interpretation.
Why It’s the Best Fit:
Choose Anthropology if you’re more interested in the human and cultural aspects of scientific progress rather than the technical or purely historical details.
Recommendation: English as Your Major with a History Minor
Since you have a strong passion for writing and poetry, majoring in English will allow you to hone your creative skills while also exploring historical influences on literature. You can choose to focus your electives on Renaissance literature, where the intersection of science and art is most evident.
To incorporate your love for historical research, I recommend minoring in History. This combination allows you to:
Pursue creative and academic writing while maintaining a strong foundation in historical research.
Explore Renaissance texts and their reflections on science, while also taking specialized history courses that examine the history of science and technology.
Prepare for a teaching career: English professors often need strong writing and analytical skills, both of which this combination supports.
Academic and Career Path:
Undergraduate:
Major in English with a focus on literature and creative writing.
Minor in History with a focus on intellectual and Renaissance history.
Graduate School:
Pursue a Master’s and Ph.D. in English or Comparative Literature, focusing on Renaissance literature and cultural intersections.
Career Goal:
Become a college professor specializing in Renaissance studies, teaching how literature, science, and art intertwined during that period.
Why This Path Makes Sense:
Creativity Meets Academia: You get to write creatively while analyzing historical contexts, a perfect blend of your interests.
Flexibility in Research: English allows for interdisciplinary research, especially when looking at how Renaissance literature reflected scientific thought.
Teaching Prospects: Colleges value professors who can teach both literature and historical context, making you versatile.
That’s a fascinating combination of interests, and it’s great that you’re already planning your path to becoming a college professor! Since you love writing, poetry, historical research, and exploring the intersection of science and art during the Renaissance, let’s break down how each of your potential majors—History, English, and Anthropology—aligns with your interests and goals.
1. English:
Why It’s a Good Fit:
Writing and Poetry:
You’ll study a wide range of literature, including poetry, prose, and creative writing techniques.
Purdue’s English program is known for its strong emphasis on literary analysis and writing skills.
Historical and Cultural Context:
Literature courses often explore how historical events and cultural movements (like the Renaissance) influence literary works.
Opportunities to Blend Interests:
You can focus on literary works from the Renaissance, analyzing how science and art intersected during that period.
Academic Path:
English degrees often lead to roles as college professors, literary scholars, or writers.
Why It’s the Best Fit:
You’re passionate about writing and poetry, and English will allow you to deepen your skills while also exploring historical contexts through literature.
2. History:
Why It’s a Good Fit:
Research Focus:
You’ll dive deep into the history of science and technology, particularly during the Renaissance.
Purdue’s history program allows you to study intellectual history, which includes examining how scientific advances shaped society.
Interdisciplinary Potential:
You can explore courses that focus on the Renaissance’s impact on modernity, blending your interests in science, art, and historical progress.
Analytical and Research Skills:
History trains you to analyze primary sources, conduct research, and build evidence-based arguments—crucial for a future professor.
Why It’s the Best Fit:
If your passion for historical research outweighs your desire to write creatively, History will give you the academic foundation to teach and research the topics you love.
3. Anthropology:
Why It’s a Good Fit:
Cultural Perspectives:
Anthropology would allow you to study how cultural contexts shape scientific and artistic advancements.
Historical and Social Focus:
You could explore the cultural impact of scientific progress, particularly how Renaissance ideas transformed societies.
Interdisciplinary Research:
Anthropology allows for ethnographic and historical analysis, giving you tools to study how art and science intersected within cultures.
Field Work:
You may get the chance to conduct field research or archival studies, combining historical analysis with cultural interpretation.
Why It’s the Best Fit:
Choose Anthropology if you’re more interested in the human and cultural aspects of scientific progress rather than the technical or purely historical details.
Recommendation: English as Your Major with a History Minor
Since you have a strong passion for writing and poetry, majoring in English will allow you to hone your creative skills while also exploring historical influences on literature. You can choose to focus your electives on Renaissance literature, where the intersection of science and art is most evident.
To incorporate your love for historical research, I recommend minoring in History. This combination allows you to:
Pursue creative and academic writing while maintaining a strong foundation in historical research.
Explore Renaissance texts and their reflections on science, while also taking specialized history courses that examine the history of science and technology.
Prepare for a teaching career: English professors often need strong writing and analytical skills, both of which this combination supports.
Academic and Career Path:
Undergraduate:
Major in English with a focus on literature and creative writing.
Minor in History with a focus on intellectual and Renaissance history.
Graduate School:
Pursue a Master’s and Ph.D. in English or Comparative Literature, focusing on Renaissance literature and cultural intersections.
Career Goal:
Become a college professor specializing in Renaissance studies, teaching how literature, science, and art intertwined during that period.
Why This Path Makes Sense:
Creativity Meets Academia: You get to write creatively while analyzing historical contexts, a perfect blend of your interests.
Flexibility in Research: English allows for interdisciplinary research, especially when looking at how Renaissance literature reflected scientific thought.
Teaching Prospects: Colleges value professors who can teach both literature and historical context, making you versatile.
Marie-Francine Rosca
Employee Experience Product Manager
2
Answers
Bucharest, Romania
Updated
Marie-Francine’s Answer
Hi Hannah!
While I don't have a strong recommendation on which specialty to choose for your next studies, based on your interests I would recommend you also look into the field of foresight which dives into tools and methodologies for exploring the future and leveraging insights from the past (hindsight - history - how the world has evolved over the years) and emerging trends and shifts in human values (insight - anthropology - what drives behavior changes) to anticipate how things will evolve in the future. Regardless of what degree you choose to pursue first, if you will want to also complete a Masters programme have a look at the Foresight programme from University of Houston - https://dot.egr.uh.edu/programs/graduate/foresight/
Hope this helps!
All the best,
Francine
While I don't have a strong recommendation on which specialty to choose for your next studies, based on your interests I would recommend you also look into the field of foresight which dives into tools and methodologies for exploring the future and leveraging insights from the past (hindsight - history - how the world has evolved over the years) and emerging trends and shifts in human values (insight - anthropology - what drives behavior changes) to anticipate how things will evolve in the future. Regardless of what degree you choose to pursue first, if you will want to also complete a Masters programme have a look at the Foresight programme from University of Houston - https://dot.egr.uh.edu/programs/graduate/foresight/
Hope this helps!
All the best,
Francine