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History

Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Administered by: Department of History
Program Format: Full-time, four-year program.
Full-time, five-year co-op program.

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses, including Grade 12 English.

Notes:

  1. ENG4U/E/EAE4U is the preferred English.
  2. A grade of 70 percent or higher will be required in Grade 12 English.
  3. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

Studying History will develop students’ proficiency in critical thinking, and enhance their ability to question, research, argue, understand, and communicate. All of these skills are vital in enabling them to succeed in a wide range of careers and participate in the life of the world around them as informed citizens.

History students take courses in the subject to pursue their interests (along with foundational, elective, and liberal studies offerings). They might wish to explore the formation of societies in the ancient world, or contemporary problems in historical perspective, or the great diversity of themes in the centuries between. Beyond examining significant issues that fascinate historians, Toronto Met’s program has distinctive career-focused components. Students take a progression of specially designed foundational, historian’s craft, and senior seminar courses to develop their research, analytical, and communications skills in ways that will help them succeed in today’s knowledge-based world. They also may wish to explore distinctive options: heritage management courses for those thinking of museums, historic sites, and related fields as potential career choices; experiential learning opportunities to perform real-world work in History; and a thesis course for students considering graduate school or wishing to conduct in-depth investigations on historical topics that have captured their imaginations.

Career Opportunities

The strong research, analytical, and communication skills, along with the cultural awareness that History teaches, are valued by employers widely. Therefore, graduates follow a broad range of career paths, with business, the public service, creative industries, and non-governmental organizations being common realms where they find work. As well, a certain number of History graduates move into careers in museums and the heritage sector. Many individuals with a BA in History continue their education in master’s degree and other graduate programs, or seek professional post-graduate career training in faculties such as law, education, and information studies.

Curriculum Information

History draws on the theories, methods, and practices of a broad range of humanities and social sciences. Therefore, the History program builds on a common first-year platform shared with other programs in the Faculty of Arts, with specialization in History occurring in years two through four of the degree.

Semesters One and Two: In the first year, which is shared with the BA programs in Criminology, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, Language and Intercultural Relations, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology, and Sociology, students take their first two university-level History courses from a number of choices that explore the subject across a range of themes, time periods, and geographical contexts. Students also acquire skills and knowledge in two foundational courses, Academic Writing and Research, and Critical Thinking, and they choose electives from a broad range of areas.

Semesters Three through Six: In second year, students take their third foundational course, Research Design and Qualitative Methods, and the first of the Department of History’s signature Historian’s Craft (or H-Craft) offerings, Reading, Writing and Using History as well as Hearing, Seeing and Speaking History, followed by another two H-Craft courses in third year. Additionally, students select from a range of focused courses in History and other subjects during this two-year period, applying the skills developed in their foundational and H-Craft studies to their broader educational endeavours as they develop their intellectual and professional prowess.

Semesters Seven and Eight: In the last year of the program, as students consider the opportunities they will pursue after graduation, they solidify their historical expertise and sharpen their professional competence by taking two senior seminars (or a senior seminar and a thesis course), as well as other offerings to complete the 40 courses of the degree (of which 20 are in History).

Transferability Guidelines

Students admitted to the Bachelor of Arts programs in Criminology, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Language and Intercultural Relations, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology or Sociology may transfer to any one of the other nine programs or to any one of the approved double major programs for the Fall term of their second year of studies. Applications are provided via Google Form and must be submitted by February 2nd. Transfer applications are considered on a competitive basis subject to program capacity, and therefore, program choice cannot be guaranteed.

In order to transfer to History from any of Criminology, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, Language and Intercultural Relations, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology, or Sociology, students must:

  1. have a CLEAR Academic Standing at the end of the Winter term of their second semester of studies; and
  2. have successfully completed one HIS course numbered between HIS 100 and HIS 399 or one of HIS 461, HIS 462 or HIS 490. It is strongly recommended that students complete two HIS courses numbered between HIS 100 and HIS 399 or HIS 461, HIS 462 and HIS 490 in first year.

HST courses may be substituted for HIS courses with departmental approval.

Co-op Program Overview

Co-operative Program Overview

An optional co-operative education program is available which provides students with 12 months of work experience which will complement their classroom studies and support the development of essential employability skills required for the workforce, including communication, collaboration and problem-solving.

Although the Career & Co-op Centre cannot guarantee placements, they provide assistance in locating suitable positions and counselling students in their search for suitable jobs. This co-op program enables students to earn competitive wages to offset the costs of a university education.

Students who have completed the first semester of the regular program must apply through the department for admission to the co-operative program before the end of the first year. Enrolment in the co-op program is limited. Admission will be based on a portfolio which includes the student's grade point average, a resume and a statement of intent.

The sequencing of academic and work terms is shown below:

  Fall  Winter Spring/Summer
Year 1  1st semester  2nd semester  --
Year 2  3rd semester  WKT 150  --
Year 3  WKT 250  4th semester WKT 350
Year 4 5th semester  6th semester  --
Year 5
 7th semester
 8th semester  

Students must successfully complete a minimum of three work terms in order to graduate from the co-op program.

In most cases the co-op program requires five years to complete the degree in History. Students will have the option to fast track if they choose to take electives during the Spring/Summer. The regular program can be completed in four years.

All co-op placements must be approved by the Career & Co-op Centre (opens in new window)  and the Faculty Advisor for the History co-op program.

Liberal Studies

Students must take two lower level liberal studies courses and four upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

History courses and PHL 214 are not available for credit.

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

History courses are not available for credit.

Minors

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Toronto Met (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

1st & 2nd Semester

REQUIRED:

REQUIRED GROUP 1: Two courses from the following:

Any two HST courses numbered between HST 100 and HST 499. In total, a maximum of nine liberal studies HST courses, may be substituted for HIS courses.

  • HIS 104 Ten Days That Shook The World
  • HIS 105 Inventing Popular Culture
  • HIS 106 Technology, Warfare and Social Change
  • HIS 107 Colonization, Colonialism and Independence
  • HIS 238 Canada to 1885: Creating a Nation
  • HIS 248 American History to 1877
  • HIS 265 Asia: Foundations and Modern Nations
  • HIS 275 Ancient Greece and Rome
  • HIS 277 Mediaeval Europe, 400-1350
  • HIS 279 Europe, 1715-1870
  • HIS 338 Canada since 1885: Defining a Nation
  • HIS 348 American History from 1877
  • HIS 350 The Fight for Rights in North America
  • HIS 377 Europe, 1350-1715
  • HIS 379 Europe, 1870-Present
  • HIS 392 African Canadian History
  • HIS 461 Cradle of Civilization: Ancient Near East
  • HIS 462 Introduction to the Islamic World
  • HIS 475 Human Rights in Global History  
  • HIS 490 International Relations from 1945

REQUIRED GROUP 2: Four courses from Table I.

OPEN ELECTIVE: Two Open Electives.

  

3rd & 4th Semester

REQUIRED:

  • SSH 301 Research Design and Qualitative Methods
  • HIS 401 Hearing, Seeing and Speaking History

REQUIRED GROUP 1: Three courses from the following:

  • HIS 104 Ten Days That Shook The World
  • HIS 105 Inventing Popular Culture
  • HIS 106 Technology, Warfare and Social Change
  • HIS 107 Colonization, Colonialism and Independence
  • HIS 238 Canada to 1885: Creating a Nation
  • HIS 248 American History to 1877
  • HIS 265 Asia: Foundations and Modern Nations
  • HIS 275 Ancient Greece and Rome
  • HIS 277 Mediaeval Europe, 400-1350
  • HIS 279 Europe, 1715-1870
  • HIS 338 Canada since 1885: Defining a Nation
  • HIS 348 American History from 1877
  • HIS 350 The Fight for Rights in North America
  • HIS 377 Europe, 1350-1715
  • HIS 379 Europe, 1870-Present
  • HIS 392 African Canadian History
  • HIS 461 Cradle of Civilization: Ancient Near East
  • HIS 462 Introduction to the Islamic World
  • HIS 475 Human Rights in Global History
  • HIS 490 International Relations from 1945

LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

CORE ELECTIVE: Two courses from Table II.

CORE ELECTIVE/OPEN ELECTIVE: One course from Table I or one Open Elective.

  

5th & 6th Semester

REQUIRED:

  • HIS 505 Locating The Past: Archival Research

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One course from the following:

  • HIS 500 History and New Media
  • HIS 501 Archaeology and Material Culture
  • HIS 502 Life Stories: Oral History
  • HIS 755 Themes in Material Culture

LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

CORE ELECTIVE: Four courses from Table II.

OPEN ELECTIVES: Two Open Electives.

  

7th & 8th Semester

REQUIRED GROUP 1: Two of the following:

  • HIS 902 Thesis Course
  • HIS 903 Senior Seminar I: Cross-Field Study
  • HIS 916 Senior Seminar II: Science, Technology and Medicine
  • HIS 931 Senior Seminar III: Americas
  • HIS 956 Senior Seminar IV: Africa
  • HIS 957 Senior Seminar V: Middle East
  • HIS 958 Senior Seminar VI: Asia
  • HIS 976 Senior Seminar VII: Europe
  • HIS 990 Senior Seminar VIII: International Relations

LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

CORE ELECTIVE: Four courses from Table II.

OPEN ELECTIVES: Two Open Electives.

1st & 2nd Semester

REQUIRED:

REQUIRED GROUP 1: Two courses from the following:

Any two HST courses numbered between HST 100 and HST 499. In total, a maximum of nine liberal studies HST courses may be substituted for HIS courses.

  • HIS 104 Ten Days That Shook The World
  • HIS 105 Inventing Popular Culture
  • HIS 106 Technology, Warfare and Social Change
  • HIS 107 Colonization, Colonialism and Independence
  • HIS 238 Canada to 1885: Creating a Nation
  • HIS 248 American History to 1877
  • HIS 265 Asia: Foundations and Modern Nations
  • HIS 275 Ancient Greece and Rome
  • HIS 277 Mediaeval Europe, 400-1350
  • HIS 279 Europe, 1715-1870
  • HIS 338 Canada since 1885: Defining a Nation
  • HIS 348 American History from 1877
  • HIS 350 The Fight for Rights in North America
  • HIS 377 Europe, 1350-1715
  • HIS 379 Europe, 1870-Present
  • HIS 392 African Canadian History
  • HIS 461 Cradle of Civilization: Ancient Near East
  • HIS 462 Introduction to the Islamic World
  • HIS 475 Human Rights in Global History
  • HIS 490 International Relations from 1945

REQUIRED GROUP 2: Four courses from Table I.

OPEN ELECTIVE: Two Open Electives.

3rd & 4th Semester

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

  • SSH 301 Research Design and Qualitative Methods
  • HIS 401 Hearing, Seeing and Speaking History

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One course from the following:

  • HIS 104 Ten Days That Shook The World
  • HIS 105 Inventing Popular Culture
  • HIS 106 Technology, Warfare and Social Change
  • HIS 107 Colonization, Colonialism and Independence
  • HIS 238 Canada to 1885: Creating a Nation
  • HIS 248 American History to 1877
  • HIS 265 Asia: Foundations and Modern Nations
  • HIS 275 Ancient Greece and Rome
  • HIS 277 Mediaeval Europe, 400-1350
  • HIS 279 Europe, 1715-1870
  • HIS 338 Canada since 1885: Defining a Nation
  • HIS 348 American History from 1877
  • HIS 350 The Fight for Rights in North America
  • HIS 377 Europe, 1350-1715
  • HIS 379 Europe, 1870-Present
  • HIS 392 African Canadian History
  • HIS 461 Cradle of Civilization: Ancient Near East
  • HIS 462 Introduction to the Islamic World
  • HIS 475 Human Rights in Global History
  • HIS 490 International Relations from 1945

LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

CORE ELECTIVE/OPEN ELECTIVE: One course from Table I* or one Open Elective

*Students in the Co-op Program should take SSH 104 (Table I) to fulfil this requirement. 

4th Semester

REQUIRED GROUP 1: Two courses from the following:

  • HIS 104 Ten Days That Shook The World
  • HIS 105 Inventing Popular Culture
  • HIS 106 Technology, Warfare and Social Change
  • HIS 107 Colonization, Colonialism and Independence
  • HIS 238 Canada to 1885: Creating a Nation
  • HIS 248 American History to 1877
  • HIS 265 Asia: Foundations and Modern Nations
  • HIS 275 Ancient Greece and Rome
  • HIS 277 Mediaeval Europe, 400-1350
  • HIS 279 Europe, 1715-1870
  • HIS 338 Canada since 1885: Defining a Nation
  • HIS 348 American History from 1877
  • HIS 350 The Fight for Rights in North America
  • HIS 377 Europe, 1350-1715
  • HIS 379 Europe, 1870-Present
  • HIS 392 African Canadian History
  • HIS 461 Cradle of Civilization: Ancient Near East
  • HIS 462 Introduction to the Islamic World
  • HIS 475 Human Rights in Global History
  • HIS 490 International Relations from 1945

LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

CORE ELECTIVE: Two courses from Table II.

5th & 6th Semester

REQUIRED:

  • HIS 505 Locating The Past: Archival Research

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One course from the following:

  • HIS 500 History and New Media
  • HIS 501 Archaeology and Material Culture
  • HIS 502 Life Stories: Oral History
  • HIS 755 Themes in Material Culture

LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

CORE ELECTIVE: Four courses from Table II.

OPEN ELECTIVE: Two Open Electives

7th & 8th Semester

REQUIRED GROUP 1: Two of the following:

  • HIS 902 Thesis Course
  • HIS 903 Senior Seminar I: Cross-Field Study
  • HIS 916 Senior Seminar II: Science, Technology and Medicine
  • HIS 931 Senior Seminar III: Americas
  • HIS 956 Senior Seminar IV: Africa
  • HIS 957 Senior Seminar V: Middle East
  • HIS 958 Senior Seminar VI: Asia
  • HIS 976 Senior Seminar VII: Europe
  • HIS 990 Senior Seminar VIII: International Relations

LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

CORE ELECTIVE: Four courses from Table II.

OPEN ELECTIVES: Two Open Electives

The sequencing of academic and work terms is shown below:

  Fall  Winter Spring/Summer
Year 1  1st semester  2nd semester  --
Year 2  3rd semester  WKT 150  --
Year 3  WKT 250  4th semester WKT 350
Year 4 5th semester  6th semester  --
Year 5
 7th semester
 8th semester  

Students must successfully complete a minimum of three work terms in order to graduate from the co-op program.

In most cases the co-op program requires five years to complete the degree in History. Students will have the option to fast track if they choose to take electives during the Spring/Summer. The regular program can be completed in four years.

All co-op placements must be approved by the Career & Co-op Centre and the Faculty Advisor for the History co-op program.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

TBA. Please visit the Department of History (opens in new window)  website for updates.