History
The Department of History offers programs of study that lead to the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts. The Department collaborates with Anthropology; Archaeology; Art History, Visual Art, and Theory; Arts One; Canadian Studies, Critical Studies in Sexuality; CAP; Geography; International Relations; Latin American Studies; Medieval Studies; Modern European Studies; Museum Studies; Political Science; History and Philosophy of Science; Sociology; Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice; the Program in the Study of Religion; Jewish Studies; Middle East Studies; and Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies.
Visit the Department for details on current offerings.
For information on advanced degrees, see graduate History.
Major in History
Lower-level Requirements
Students must take 12 credits from any of the 100- or 200-level courses in History, or the equivalent taken at other institutions. At least 6 of these credits must be at the 200 level.
Students who intend to major in History are advised to include in their program some basic courses in the social sciences, and the appropriate historical surveys of:
- Literature: in the various language departments
- Thought: in the departments of Philosophy, Classical, Near Eastern and Religious Studies, and Political Science and in the Program on the Study of Religion
- The Arts: in the departments of Art History, Visual Art, and Theory; Theatre and Film; Creative Writing; and the School of Music
Students may declare a Major in History upon attaining Year 3 standing.
Upper-level Requirements
Students must take 30 credits of third- and fourth-year History courses chosen in consultation with a departmental advisor. Subject to the approval of the Department, a maximum of 12 credits of the following courses may be accepted toward a Major in History:
- ASIA 309, 310, 313, 314, 315, 317, 318, 320, 323, 337, 338, 340, 344, 346, 373, 376, 390, 393, 410, 411, 418, 428, 438, 440, 456, 475, 484, 488
- CLST 306, 311, 312, 319, 320, 329, 352, 353, 355, 356, 401
- ECON 334, 336, 337, 436;
- GEOG 321, 327, 328, 426
- MES 300
- NEST 301, 303, 310
- PHIL 360, 364
- RELG 331, 332
A History major may, in order to build a suitable program, obtain special permission from the Department to count a course other than one of those listed above. Students must take 6 credits of substantially pre-modern history. Courses at the 100- or 200-level may be used to meet this requirement. A list of courses with substantial pre-modern content is available from departmental advisors and on the Departmental website.
The 30 third- and fourth-year credits must include 3 credits of HIST 403, 466, 468, or 490, to be taken in the final year of study. Students may be exempted from this requirement only by the written permission of the Head or the Majors Advisor.
Minor in History
A minor consists of at least 30 credits, but no more than 42 credits of history courses, of which at least 18 must be numbered 300 or above, and at least 6 must come from the 200 level. These 18 credits may include a maximum of 6 credits for non-history courses that are listed in the calendar as acceptable for history credit. Department permission is not required to undertake a minor in history.
Major in History and Philosophy of Science
The only requirement for admission is consultation with the advisor. In addition to Bachelor of Arts requirements, the program requires the following:
Lower-level Requirements (12 credits)
Students must complete HIST/PHIL 260, and at least 9 credits of first and second year HIST or PHIL courses. The following are recommended: HIST 104, 105, 106, 259; PHIL 125, 220, 230, 240.
Upper-level Requirements (30 credits)
Students must complete HIST 393/PHIL 360, and one (3 credits) of HIST 403, 466, 468, 490 or PHIL 491. They must take an additional 15 credits from the following list, with no fewer than 6 credits in PHIL and 6 credits in HIST: HIST 392, 394, 395, 396, 398, 440, 487, 491, 493, 494, 495, 581, 589; PHIL 321, 362, 363, 427, 460, 461, 462, 464, 469.
The remaining 9 credits will normally be taken from upper-level HIST or PHIL courses (excluding PHIL 400, 401). Students may substitute any of the following: BIOL 446; CLST 306; ENGL 309; GEOG 345; MATH 446; MATH 447; PHYS 340; PSYC 312.
Honours in History
The honours program in History requires the successful completion of 120 credits, 60 of which are in History courses, 48 of which must be in History courses numbered 300 or higher. Students must also complete Faculty of Arts program requirements for the honours degree, which include an additional 6 credits numbered 300 or higher in any department, making a total of 54. Students considering the History Honours program should consult the History Honours advisor before the end of their second year.
Lower-level Requirements
A total of 12 credits, with an average of at least 80% in 6 of the credits:
- 6 credits of 100-level HIST or Arts One1
- 6 credits of 200-level HIST
1Students with Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits should consult with the Honours advisor to determine credit requirements.
Upper-level Requirements
Third Year
Third year of the program requires that students complete HIST 321 and HIST 333.
Fourth Year
The fourth year of the program requires that students complete:
- HIST 421, 433, and 449
- an oral examination on the graduating essay
Third or Fourth Year
In addition to the requirements specific to the third year and the fourth year, students must complete:
- One of HIST 403, 466, 468 or 490
- 9 upper-level history credits, which must include an upper-level history course in a field related to thesis topic
- demonstration of reading knowledge of a language other than English
Honours in History with International Relations
The History with International Relations program requires the successful completion of 120 credits. Students must also complete Faculty of Arts program requirements for the honours degree, which include 54 credits numbered 300 or above in any department. Students considering this program should consult the History Honours advisor before the end of their second year.
Lower-level Requirements
12 credits comprised of:
- HIST 102 or 103
- 6 credits of 200-level courses in History (or the equivalent taken in other institutions) with an average of at least 80%.
The 12 credits may include up to 6 credits of Arts One or HIST courses within CAP. Students with Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits should consult with the Honours advisor to determine credit requirements.
3 credits comprised of:
- POLI 260
Pre-requisite courses
- Students are urged to review upper level IR courses to ensure they plan early to complete any required prerequisite courses.
Upper-level Requirements
Third Year
The third year of the program requires that students complete:
- HIST 321 and 333
- 6 credits in History
- in consultation with the History Honours advisor, 12 credits selected from courses listed in the International Relations Major program
Fourth Year
The fourth year of the program requires that students complete:
- HIST 421, 433, and 449
- IR seminar and 3 additional outside credits in IR
- an oral examination on the graduating essay.
Third or Fourth Year
In addition to the requirements specific to the third year and the fourth year, students must demonstrate reading knowledge of a language other than English.
