Bachelor of Arts 4 Yr History

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in History provides students with a broad understanding of the historical foundations and cultural dimensions of the world they live in and with the skills needed to uncover and analyze the events, processes and ideas which shape the past and to appreciate how an understanding of the past helps inform the present and the future. Through the in-depth study of change and continuity over time and place, students acquire an ability to look at the past from different angles and perspectives and to employ a variety of analytical tools and methods in interpreting human affairs and institutions. Students complete foundations courses in Canadian and World History. The foundations courses provide students with an appreciation of the history of their native or adopted country as well as an awareness of the forces that have shaped the wider world. A unique characteristic of this program is the emphasis placed on Intellectual History. By completing a course on the History of Ideas as part of the Liberal Arts Core and at least an additional six credits in Intellectual History, students gain a solid foundation in the major texts and ideas that have shaped and defined the western world. Breadth requirements in North American, European and Social and Cultural History allow students to achieve both range and depth of historical knowledge. This degree also provides students with a solid foundation in historical theory and method. Students complete courses in Research Methods, the Historians? Craft, and complete either a major research paper or a Service Learning practicum.