To the editor:

I received the October issue of Perspectives on History and noted the article on declining enrollments in history courses (“Declining Enrollments in History Courses: A Follow-Up Report”).

I taught European history for 36 years. Since retirement, 15 years ago, I teach in a volunteer program called Veritas, for students over age 55. I never have a problem with small enrollments. On the contrary, there is a waiting list.

In my opinion, the problem you mention is that now teachers bore their students with statistics instead of telling them exciting stories. History has become past sociology. That’s one of the reasons I retired at age 62.

William Schrader
Tennessee Technological University (emeritus)

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