ChairAdriana Benzaquén, BA, MA, PhD (York), Associate Professor
History courses are designed to meet the needs and interests of various students: those who choose to take one or two courses as electives or as part of their program in another course of study; those who decide to minor in the field of history; and those who register to do a concentration, major, or honours in history. Courses are offered primarily in the areas of European, North American, and World history with an emphasis on the theme of women’s history. Certain courses adopt a comparative perspective. Many may be taken to fulfill requirements in women’s studies, Canadian studies, cultural studies, peace and conflict studies, and child and youth studies. Selected courses are available via distance learning.
Courses at the 1000 level and 2000 level have no prerequisites; those at the 3000 level and 4000 level normally require one full unit of previous study in history at the 2000 level; seminars at the 4000 level require written permission of the instructor or the Department Chair.
The following courses are offered in the area of European history: HIST 1101, 2200, 2201, 2202, 2203, 2204, 2205, 2206, 2207, 2233, 2281, 3305, 3312, 3313, 3351, 3382, 3385, 3386, and 4480. The following courses are offered in the area of North American history: HIST 1120, 2217, 2218, 2219, 2222, 2227, 2228, 2230, 2231, 2234, 2235, 2236, 2240, 2282, 3304, 3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, 3327, 3329, 3330, 3333, 3337, 3338, 3345, 3351, 3352 and 4481. The following courses are offered in the area of World History: HIST 2260, 3360, 3361, 3362, 3389, and 4480.
Any student planning to major, concentrate, or minor in history should consult the department to help in planning an academic program. The following are the requirements for the major, concentration, and minor, but, in consultation with faculty, variations are possible. Students are reminded that final responsibility for meeting departmental and university regulations rests with themselves.
The program structure is meant to allow for flexibility within a basic framework. Both the concentration and the major provide opportunity for the student to focus on areas of history that are of special interest, and at the same time it ensures a well-balanced understanding of the discipline. The student may take up to two additional units in history at any level as electives.
Major (20 Units) Students must declare their major before registering for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not declare their intention to complete a major or a general studies program within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework.
- Students completing a major in history are required to take a minimum of eight units, which normally will include the following components:
a) either HIST 1101 or HIST 1120; or permission of the department to substitute a unit above the 1000 level;
b) three 2000-level units;
c) four units at the 3000 and 4000 level, including HIST 3390/3391 and HIST 4480/4481.
d) no more than six units may be taken in any single area of study (Europe, North America, World). - Students must achieve a GPA of at least 2.0 in the eight units of history that are taken to qualify for the major.
In addition to specific department requirements, the general university requirements for the Bachelor of Arts major degree must be fulfilled.
Integrated Major (History/Information Technology)Students should contact the Chair of each department before registration. View the full description of the Bachelor of Arts Co-operative Education Route with Integrated Major (History/Information Technology) program.
Major CertificateStudents who have graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor of Arts General Studies degree may apply to do a major certificate. Students must fulfill the requirements for the major degree listed above.
Honours Degree Students wishing to take an honours degree must apply in writing to the chair of the department. Application may be made after successful completion of ten units of study but must be made prior to completion of the third year or fifteen units of study. Admission will be based on the department’s assessment of the applicants’s academic record. The minimum requirement for admission is a GPA of 3.0 in history courses. Applicants must also have secured the agreement of a faculty member to supervise the honours thesis (HIST 4499). An honours thesis proposal must be submitted by March 30 of the third year of one’s program or in the case of part-time students, March 30 of the academic year immediately preceding enrolment in HIST 4499. Students must have also successfully completed HIST 3391 before enroling in HIST 4499. The program requires completion of 20 units with a GPA of at least 3.0 in the 10 required units of history.
Students enroled in the honours program are required to take a minimum of 10 units which normally will include the following components:
- either HIST 1101 or 1120; or permission of the department to substitute a unit above the 1000 level;
- four 2000 level-units;
- five units at the 3000 and 4000 level, including HIST 3390/3391, HIST 4480/4481, and HIST 4499.
- no more than eight units may be taken in any single area of study (Europe, North America, World).
In addition to the specific department requirements, the general university regulations for the Bachelor of Arts honours degree must be fulfilled.
Honours CertificateStudents who have graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in History may apply to do an honours certificate. Students must fulfill the requirements for the honours degree listed above and meet the University regulations regarding honours certificates. Application must be made in writing to the Chair of the Department by March 30 of the academic year prior to enrolment in the program. Applicants should note the requirement that honours thesis proposals must be submitted by March 30 of the academic year immediately preceding enrolment in HIST 4499.
Concentration (4 units)Students must declare their concentration before registering for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not declare their intention to complete a general studies program or a major within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework.
Students completing a concentration in history are required to take a minimum of four units, which normally will include the following components:
a) either HIST 1101 or HIST 1120; or permission of the department to substitute a unit above the 1000 level;
b) one 2000-level unit
c) two units at the 3000 or 4000 level. It is strongly recommended that a half unit of HIST 3390, 3391, 4480 or 4481 be taken
d) no more than three units in any single area of study (Europe, North America, World).
Minor A minor in history shall consist of three units in history. One unit must be at the 3000 level or above.
Canadian StudiesMany history courses are eligible for inclusion in the Canadian studies degree.
The Department of History does not accept Challenge for Credit.