History
www.mun.ca/history; www.grenfell.mun.ca/histstd
"To know yourself, know history" — Auguste Comte
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. Whatever you might be interested in, most of our courses provide you with the opportunity to ask clear questions about the past, develop and articulate concise answers, and provide good evidence for these answers. This is why our first-year courses fulfil the research and writing requirements of the Faculty of Arts.
History students develop critical thinking, research and writing skills that will prepare them for many types of careers. Many of our students have gone on to law school, entered the heritage sector, or pursued careers in such professional areas as education, libraries and archives or the civil service.
Sample first-year program for students interested in studying history:
| Fall Semester | Winter Semester |
| History 1000-level course | History 2200, 2210 or 2400 |
| English 1080 (or 1020) | English 1101, 1102, 1103 or 1110 (or 1021) |
| A course in a second language | A course in a second language |
| A research & writing course | A research & writing course |
| A numeracy/science course | A numeracy/science course |
| A course in minor subject | A course in minor subject |
History 1009
Issues in Ancient and Medieval History will introduce students to the methodology of studying ancient and/or medieval history through a close examination of textual and material remains. The course will be taught around a particular theme and/or historical period each year. This course qualifies as a research and writing course.
Lectures: Three hours per week
Prerequisite: None
History 1010
The North Atlantic in the Age of Expansion, 1492-1776 is a thematic examination of European imperial expansion into the North Atlantic and the Americas, starting with the discoveries of Columbus and concluding with American Independence. This course qualifies as a research/writing course.
Lectures: Three hours per week
Prerequisite: None
History 1011
Europe and the Wider World, 1750-1914 is a thematic examination of the political, economic, social and cultural developments in Europe and the wider world from the French Revolution to World War I. This course qualifies as a research/writing course.
Lectures: Three hours per week
Prerequisite: None
History 1012
The World in the Twentieth Century will examine some of the major themes in world history since 1914. This course qualifies as a research/writing course.
Lectures: Three hours per week
Prerequisite: None
History 1013
Issues in Canadian History will examine the historical context for various contemporary problems being experienced by Canadians. This course qualifies as a research/writing course.
Lectures: Three hours per week
Prerequisite: None
History 1014
Issues in United States History will examine several historical themes or problems in the history of the United States. This course qualifies as a research/writing course.
Lectures: Three hours per week
Prerequisite: None
History 1015
Ideas and Society in the West introduces students to early modern Western history (1500 - 1800) through the study of original texts. It will combine lectures on the historical background to the texts, discussion of them and analysis of their meanings in assigned essays. This course qualifies as a research/writing course.
Lectures: Three hours per week
Prerequisite: None
History 1100
Introduction to History (available only at Grenfell Campus) is an introduction to the study and writing of history which will emphasize the concepts of history through a thematic approach to the history of Western civilization from ca. 1500 to ca. 1815.
Lectures: Three hours per week
Prerequisite: None
History 1101
Introduction to History (available only at Grenfell Campus) is an introduction to the study and writing of history which will emphasize the concepts of history through a combination of research and writing within a thematic approach to the history of Western civilization from ca. 1815 to the present. Students in their first year normally take History 1100 and History 1101
Lectures: Three hours per week
Prerequisite: None
