History

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Campus: St. John's Faculty: Humanities and Social Sciences
Department: History Honours available: Yes
Degree(s): Bachelor of arts; International bachelor of arts; Joint arts and science degree
Length: Four years
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Everything we see around us of human construction, from constitutions to popular culture, is a product of our history. The discipline of history provides an opportunity to develop research and writing skills through the study of fascinating aspects of our past.

The study of history fosters a critical understanding of the past as it relates to our present-day experience. From the depth of recorded history, this program constructs a timeline of human events that teaches us where we came from and illuminates where we are going.

History at Memorial

Our department sees history as a foundational discipline within the liberal arts and social science traditions, one that develops key research, writing and analytical skills, but also promotes knowledge and memory of the past as essential to an engaged citizenry.

Our teaching and research focuses on a broad range of geographical areas ranging from Newfoundland and Labrador to the entire globe. The History Department also offers courses in themes that include film, gender, environment, military conflict, and maritime history from the ancient world to the recent past.

Admission requirements

You may apply for admission into the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences by indicating bachelor of arts as your program choice on the undergraduate application for admission. Direct entry into the faculty is subject to your meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University.

You may choose history as your major at the time of application or you can explore your options and declare a major in a later semester by emailing registrar@mun.ca to make your choice official.

Sample first year

Wondering what courses you would take in your first year? Check out a sample program of suggested courses for history students.

Sample courses and degree map

HIST 2065 - History of War and Society from 1789 to Present
HIST 3811 - The Menace of Progress: Colonialism and the Making of the Modern World
HIST 4125 - The History of Environmental Ideas in Canada and the United States

History degree map

Degree maps are navigational tools, designed to help you make the right choices throughout your bachelor of arts degree. They cover information pertaining to your studies, provide study tips, career guidance, suggestions for involvement, advice on go abroad activities and on your well being.

Career opportunities

A bachelor of arts degree, with a major in history, prepares students for a variety of careers including:

  • public administration
  • journalism
  • business administration/management
  • civil service
  • international affairs
  • education
  • libraries and archives (information studies)
  • law

Note: some of these careers may call for supplementary education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential learning or professional courses and exams.