Yoav Di-Capua
Associate Professor
Department of History
UT Austin
As a historian, I always felt that that "thinking with history", that is, the ability to put complex human dynamics in perspective across time, is a critical skill in becoming a contributing member of society. Yet, I had no idea that this habit of mind would prove so beneficial to our students from all walks of life. This is particularly true for veterans, many of whom struggle with the transition to academic and civilian life after returning from the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq. The ability to apply an abstract academic notion to real-life situations is one thing that makes teaching meaningful.