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.

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• Admission requirements
• Your first year
• Sample courses and degree map
• Career opportunities

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.

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Admission requirements

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. You are encouraged to apply by:

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.

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Your first year

Considering a major in history? Have a look at a sample schedule for a first-year student studying five courses per semester.

1. Both LS courses must be in the same language. If your first language is not English and you do not meet the standards for entry into regular first-year English courses you may use English 1020 and 1021 to fulfill this requirement. Such students are permitted to complete up to an additional six credit hours in English CRW courses at the 1000 level in order to fulfill the CRW requirement.

Further assistance

For assistance with course selection, contact the Academic Advising Centre.

For additional program information, visit the Department of History or contact the undergraduate program director.

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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.

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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.

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