History

Historians are detectives trying to understand what happened in the past. Studying history provides training in problem solving, research and writing. Such skills are valued both by graduate schools and employers. With state-of-the-art multimedia facilities and a new generation of faculty, the Department of History is training inquisitive minds for the 21st century.

Honours in History — 60 credits

An excellent preparation for graduate studies in History and advanced degree programs such as law. There are three options in the Honours program:

A. Honours Essay Option
In addition to introductory, intermediate, and advanced seminar courses, students undertake a major independent research project under a professor's supervision. The Essay, about 40 pages in length, is an in-depth study of a historical topic, typically based on primary historical evidence.

B. Seminar Option
Students take a total of eight research seminars throughout the program. This option allows students to gain experience in a wider range of historical research fields than the Essay Option.

C. Public History with Internship Option
Students focus on Public History and, through state-of-the-art digital facilities, develop expertise as oral historians and digital storytellers. Students have the opportunity to serve as interns, practising in the real world what they have learned in the classroom.

Specialization in History — 60 credits

Offers a wide range of History courses so students gain knowledge of the past as well as analytical and communication skills. The Specialization does not have a gpa requirement and allows students to take classes across many geographical, temporal, and thematic specializations.

Major in History — 42 credits

Gives students broad knowledge of the past and a range of analytical and communication skills. Students take courses that, collectively, span the globe and range through thousands of years. After the introductory courses, students may choose to focus on a particular area or pursue many different interests.

Minor in History — 24 credits

Allows students from other programs to add a significant concentration on historical studies to their Major, Specialization, or Honours. History is an excellent complement to any social science or humanities subject.

Minor in Law and Society — 24 credits

Allows students to gain an informed understanding of law's roles in society, past and present, in Canada and internationally. This interdisciplinary minor complements any program in the humanities or social sciences.

See the BA degree description for information on the core and elective requirements. For a complete list of courses: Undergraduate Calendar

Sample courses include:

Introduction to European History, History of Japan, History and the Public, History of the Middle East, Medieval England, Africa in the Twentieth Century, Introduction to Law and Society, The United States Since 1945, Advanced Study in Latin American and Caribbean History, Public History Workshop

Department of History

Concordia’s Department of History has a distinguished record of training young historians for careers in teaching and research at all levels. Our students have won prestigious Commonwealth, Rockefeller and Canada Graduate Scholarships and many have gone on to complete graduate degrees at schools across Canada, the United States and Europe. The Department is led by experienced professors, each with both a field of deep specialization and an ability to impart to you their knowledge and their excitement about the past – whether your interest lies in modern Africa or medieval England or dozens of points in between.

Admission Requirements

History (BA - Honours/Specialization/Major/Minor) requirements: Minimum cut-off averages, admission statistics and program requirements.

Public History (BA - Honours) requirements: Minimum cut-off averages, admission statistics and program requirements.

Undergraduate admissions guidelines: For information on international admission, required documents, proof of language proficiency, the university admissions timetable, selection and notification process.