The Department of History offers programs of study that lead to the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts.
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 may declare a Major in History upon attaining Year 2 Class standing (see Promotion Requirements).
Upper-level Requirements
Students must take 30 credits of 300- and 400- level History courses. Subject to the approval of the Department, a maximum of 6 credits from other departments may be accepted as credits toward a Major in History.
Students must take 6 credits of substantially pre-modern history. A list of courses with substantial pre-modern content is available from departmental advisors and on the Departmental website.
The 30 300- and 400- level credits must include 3 credits of HIST_V 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.
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_V/PHIL_V 260, and at least 9 credits of 100- and 200-level HIST_V or PHIL_V courses. The following are recommended: HIST_V 112, 113, 240, 241, 259; PHIL_V 125, 220 or 222, 230, 240.
Upper-level Requirements (30 credits)
Students must complete HIST_V 393/PHIL_V 360, and one (3 credits) of HIST_V 403, 466, 468, 490 or PHIL_V 418, 426, 431, 432, 440, 450, 452, 455, 469, or 491. They must take an additional 15 credits from the following list, with no fewer than 6 credits in PHIL_V and 6 credits in HIST_V: HIST_V 392, 394, 395, 396, 398, 440, 487, 491, 493, 494, 495; PHIL_V 321, 337, 362, 363, 364, 369, 419, 427, 460, 461, 462, 464, 469.
The remaining 9 credits will normally be taken from upper-level HIST_V or PHIL_V courses (excluding PHIL_V 400, 401). Students may substitute any of the following: AMNE_V 306; BIOL_V 446; ENGL_V 309; GEOG_V 345; MATH_V 446; PHYS_V 340; PSYC_V 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_V or Arts One
- 6 credits of 200-level HIST_V
Upper-level Requirements
Students must complete the following:
- HIST_V 321
- HIST_V 333
- HIST_V 421
- HIST_V 433
- HIST_V 449
- A graduating essay
Students must also complete:
- One of HIST_V 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.
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:
100-level History Courses (6 credits):
Choose one of the following options:
- HIST_V 102 (6 credits)
- HIST_V 103 (6 credits)
- HIST_V 112 (3 credits) and HIST_V 113 (3 credits)
200-level History Courses (6 credits):
- 6 credits of 200-level courses in History with an average of at least 80%.
The 12 credits may include up to 6 credits from Arts One.
3 credits comprised of:
- POLI_V 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
Students must complete the following:
- 6 credits in History courses
- in consultation with the History Honours advisor, 12 credits selected from courses listed in the International Relations Major program
- HIST_V 321
- HIST_V 333
- HIST_V 421
- HIST_V 433
- HIST_V 449
- IR seminar and 3 additional outside credits in IR
- A graduating essay