Historians enrich our awareness through scholarly research and thoughtful analysis. Using documents, oral traditions, material culture, audio-visual productions, and other sources, they ask questions that probe beyond simple answers. In the process, they help to explain cultures and peoples, political and economic systems, ideas and issues, and conflict and change in order to understand the complexities of the human experience, both in the past and the present. 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, Ryerson’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, 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-Crafts 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 in any of Criminology, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology or Sociology may transfer from their current program and plan to any one of the other eight plans for the Fall term of their second year of studies. Applications are available through the Program Office 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, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology, or Sociology, students must:
- have a CLEAR Academic Standing at the end of the Winter term of their second semester of studies; and
- have successfully completed one HIS course numbered between HIS 100 and HIS 399. It is strongly recommended that students complete two HIS courses numbered between HIS 100 and HIS 399 in first year.
HST courses may be substituted for HIS courses with departmental approval.
Liberal Studies
Students must take two lower level liberal studies courses and four upper level liberal studies courses to graduate.
