History Programs (BA)

For current contact information and a list of faculty and administration related to this program, please visit History. 

To reach your academic advisor, please visit Find Your Advisor - Academic Advising.

Historians explore changes in past societies, cultures, and peoples. They examine cultural, artistic, political, economic, intellectual, social, military, and national history. Their interests range from the history of individuals and local communities to studies of nations and international relations. They analyse the causes and consequences of significant change over time. They seek to illuminate the past.

The study of history involves surveying and gathering evidence and evaluating, interpreting and refining it by constructing clear and logical arguments on the basis of that evidence.

Within the requirements indicated under the Honours program and Pass program, the Department allows students considerable flexibility in the selection of HIST courses.

To assist students in refining their analytical and critical skills, weekly seminars are a crucial part of every history course. In many courses, individual students are given the responsibility of organizing and leading discussions on particular topics.

The Department of History recommends combining History with other disciplines, such as Child and Youth Studies, Classics, Economics, English Language and Literature, Geography, Labour Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Women’s and Gender Studies.

To qualify for admission to year 4 (honours), students must have a minimum 70 History major average and approval of the Department. The application deadline is March 1 of the preceding academic year. Students wishing to apply for admission must meet with the Humanities Academic Advisor prior to the application deadline. See the Department for additional information.

Program Notes

1. History majors must take one Social Sciences credit outside of History to satisfy their Social Sciences context requirement.
2. Courses numbered 3(alpha)90 or above are restricted to students with a minimum of three credits numbered 2(alpha)00 to 2(alpha)99 or permission of the instructor.
3. Students may take a maximum of two credits from HIST 2P60 , HIST 2P93 , HIST 2P94 , HIST 2P97  , HIST 2P97 , HIST 2Q96  , HIST 3F50  , HIST 3F75  , HIST 3F93  , HIST 3P61 , HIST 3P65  , HIST 3P96 , HIST 3P97 , HIST 3Q91  , HIST 3Q92  , HIST 4P00,HIST 4P01,HIST 4P60  to satisfy History major or minor requirements.
4. History majors may register in a maximum of 2.0 HIST credits numbered 4(alpha)00 or above per session. Students who exceed the maximum, without departmental approval, may be deregistered without consultation.
5. In 20 credit degree programs, a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In 15 credit degree programs, a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 15 or 20 credits may be taken.