Bachelor of Arts in History

University of Prince Edward Island

History is our collective memory. History shapes our identity, informing who we are as individuals, communities and nations. In our modern complex and diverse world, the study of history has never been more relevant. Understanding the origins and developments of institutions and ideas, tensions and conflicts, societies and civilizations improves our social awareness and provides insight into the perspectives of others, allowing us to make informed decisions about future courses of action.

Studying history provides students with a tool box of transferable skills that will serve them well in today’s evolving job market. History students are trained to be excellent researchers, tracking down information and communicating their analysis with clarity and confidence. A History degree at UPEI will hone students’ abilities to weigh and assess evidence and expert opinion, to evaluate causes and consequences, and provide them with a foundation from which to develop practical solutions to contemporary problems. Our History graduates are pursuing successful careers in heritage and conservation, law, journalism, education, medicine, social services, policy analysis, business, communications, and digital information management.

History professors at UPEI are award-winning educators and researchers with a wide variety of historical interests. Our course offerings include studies ranging from the local history of PEI to the history of global exploration; from Antiquity and the middle Ages to the present; and themes encompassing the impact of wars and revolutions on past societies, the history of science and medicine, and the history of gender relations. Our Public History course provides students with an opportunity to gain valuable internship experience in government, heritage and cultural workplaces.

UPEI History professors work closely with individual students, mentoring them to help them achieve their goals. The History Student Society thrives at UPEI, providing history students with a supportive, socially active university community.

Major:

A major program is complete when a student has successfully completed a minimum of 42 hours of credit in History (14 courses) of which a minimum of 9 hours (3 courses) must be at the 3000 level, and 9 hours (3 courses) must be at the 4000 level. Majors must complete courses totaling 6 semester hours of credit at the 2000-4000 levels in three of the five areas of study: Europe, Britain, the USA, Canada, and Global.

Honours:

To be admitted to the honours program, the student must submit a letter of application to the Honours Co-Ordinator. Applicants must be registered in, or have completed, the major program. Applications are normally submitted during the fourth or fifth semester. Decisions on admission are made by the department acting as a committee of the whole. Admissions decisions will be made on the basis of demonstrated and potential ability to carry out independent research and sustained historical analysis. Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission.

An honours program is complete when the student completes:

• a total of 120 semester hours of course credits with a minimum overall average of 70%;
• a total of 48 semester hours of course credits in History (6 semester hours in addition to the minimum required for the major), with a minimum average of 75%.