HIS History

HIS History

Introduction

History is both an art and a science. Historians study the past to understand it in its own terms, to gain insight into how our world has developed, and in order to influence the present. Historical inquiry is a response to the need for information and an understanding of the broad patterns of social, economic, cultural and political development.

The study of history is a crucial part of any liberal arts program. To understand our own society and the forces for change that are propelling it towards an uncertain future, it is necessary to understand something of the past. Every political institution, social value and economic custom is itself the result of past change and is simultaneously being transformed. It is as difficult for us to appreciate our own society without some sense of how different things were in the past as it is for individuals to understand themselves without the aid of personal and family memory.

The Department of History offers a wide range of courses that are tailored to meet the needs of students at every stage of their undergraduate careers. The 100-series courses are designed for students who are new to the University. They cover a wide chronological period and a wide geographical area. The 200-series courses are designed to introduce students to specific national or geographic histories over a broad period of time. Although they are designated as 200-series courses they are open to first-year students, have no prerequisites, and students without previous university experience should be able to complete them without difficulty. The 300-series courses, not open to first-year students, usually deal with more specialized subject-matter and frequently have prerequisites. The 400-series courses represent the culmination of an undergraduate's study of history and consist of seminars with a maximum enrolment of 14.

There are courses at most levels in American, Asian, African, and Latin American, British, Canadian, East European, Russian, European, International Relations and Medieval history. The fifty-five full-time professional historians who constitute this Department offer a greater variety of courses in history than can be found at any other university in Canada, and to study with any of them is certain to be an enriching experience.

More detailed information concerning the department, history programs and particular courses can be found in the Undergraduate Handbook available each year in the spring. There is a History Students' Association in the Department and there is student participation in the Department meetings and major standing committees.

Undergraduate Secretaries: Ms. Kim Donaldson and Ms. Rae Billing, Room 2074, Sidney Smith Hall (978-3362)

Enquiries: Sidney Smith Hall, 100 St. George Street, Room 2074 (978-3363)

HISTORY PROGRAMS

Students may also use certain NMC history courses to fulfill Department of History program requirements (see History Handbook).

HISTORY (B.A.)

Specialist program (Hon.B.A.): (10 full courses or their equivalent, and a language requirement)

Students may enrol in the Specialist Program in History after completing at least four courses including two HIS courses with a mark of at least 70% in each.

First Year: a 100-series HIS course; in addition, students may take one 200-series HIS course

Higher Years: Additional HIS courses to a total of ten*, meeting the following requirements:
1. At least five 300/400-series courses including two 400-series HIS courses
2. One course from each of the following divisions*:
I. Asia/Africa/Middle East
II. Canada/United States/Latin America
III. Europe
3. One pre-modern course*
* The History Handbook identifies pre-modern courses, non HIS substitutes, and indicates courses satisfying the divisional requirements. Specialists may substitute history courses taught elsewhere in the faculty for up to three of the HIS courses. These substitutes may also be used to fulfill Items I through 3 of the specialist program.

Major program (B.A.): (7 full courses or their equivalent)

Students may enrol in the Major Program in History after having completed four full courses or their equivalent; no minimum GPA required. Completion of a 100-series HIS course is recommended before enrolment.

First Year: a 100-series HIS course; in addition, students may take one 200-series HIS course

Higher Years: Additional HIS courses to a total of seven*, meeting the following requirements:
1. One 400-series HIS course
2. At least two 300/400-series courses (in addition to item 1 above)
3. At least one course from each of the following divisions*:
I. Asia/Africa/Middle East
II. Canada/United States/Latin America
III. Europe
4. One pre-modern course*.
* The History Handbook identifies pre-modern courses, non HIS substitutes, and indicates courses satisfying the divisional requirements. Majors may substitute history courses taught elsewhere in the faculty for up to two of the HIS courses. These substitutes may also be used to fulfil items 1 through 4 of the major program.

Minor program (B.A.): (4 full courses or their equivalent)

Students may enrol in the Minor Program in History after having completed four full courses or their equivalent. Completion of a 100-series HIS course is recommended before enrolment.

First Year: a 100-series HIS course

Higher Years: Additional HIS courses to a total of four, including at least one 300/400-series course
NOTE: As many as two courses chosen from a list of history courses taught elsewhere in the faculty may be substituted for HIS courses. Substitutes may also be used to satisfy the 300/400-series course requirement. A list of non HIS substitutes is found in the History Handbook.

HISTORY and POLITICAL SCIENCE (Hon.B.A.)

Specialist program: (14 full courses or their equivalent)

Students may enrol in the Specialist Program in History and Political Science after completing at least four courses and fulfilling the following requirements: two HIS courses with a mark of at least 70% in each; one POL course with a mark of at least 67%; a CGPA of at least 2.00.
Students applying to enrol after Second Year must have completed at least eight courses and fulfill the following requirements: two HIS courses and two POL courses with a mark of at least 70% in each; and a GPA of at least 2.5 in the last four courses completed.

HISTORY (7 courses):

First Year: a 100-series HIS course; in addition, students may take one 200-series HIS course

Higher Years: Additional HIS courses* to a total of seven, meeting the following requirements:
1. Courses must come from at least two of the following divisions*:
I. Asia/Africa/Middle East
II. Canada/United States/Latin America
III. Europe
2. One 300/400-series course, and one additional 400-series course
3. Two HIS courses must correspond in area and theme to two of the POL courses (list available in the History and Political Science Departments)
* The History Handbook identifies pre-modern courses, non HIS substitutes, and indicates courses satisfying the divisional requirements. Specialists may substitute history courses taught elsewhere in the faculty for up to three of the HIS courses.

POLITICAL SCIENCE (7 courses): (NOTE: The courses to include at least two 300+ series courses of which one must be a 400-series course.)
NOTES:
1. At least one course in Canadian politics must be completed. Normally this requirement will be satisfied by POL 102Y/103Y/214Y.
2. Students must complete courses in at least three fields: Canadian politics, political theory, and one of international relations, comparative politics (industrial), comparative politics (developing).

First Year: POL 102Y/103Y/108Y

Higher Years:
1. POL 200Y
2. Two full courses from the following: POL 201Y, 203Y/204Y, 208Y, 214Y
3. Three additional POL courses