The honours degree program in history at Memorial University is a rigorous and rewarding program of study for history majors interested in developing a piece of independent research and writing. As part of the program, students devise an original research project under the supervision of a faculty member. The project culminates in the honours essay and is to be completed over the course of two terms. In addition, students take specialized courses with a focus on historiography that equip them with a deeper understanding of what historians do and how they do it.
The honours program favours the development of skills in historical analysis as well as in written and oral communication on a higher level than the regular BA in history. Honours students in history develop the ideal skill set preparing them not only for graduate studies, but also for law school or work in the heritage sector.

Honours Guidelines

(The following is taken from the 2021/2022 University Calendar section 15.10.4 and is subject to change - please refer to the latest version to ensure accuracy. If there are any discrepancies between this listing and the listing prepared by the Registrar's office, the Registrar's office official listing will be taken as correct.)

1. Students intending to take an Honours Degree with a Major in History must comply with the Regulations for the Honours Degree of Bachelor of Arts.
   
   
2. Students are required to complete at least 60 credit hours in History according to the following pattern, of which there must be a minimum of 36 credit hours at the 3000-level or above:
   
   a. 36 credit hours chosen in accordance with the pattern set out under the Major in History above; and
   b. 12 additional credit hours in History electives beyond the first-year level and 12 credit hours in Honours courses:  History 4800, 4821, 4822, and 4999.
   
   
3. Applicants must apply by June 30th for the Fall semester and by November 1st for the Winter semester in order to be considered for admission.  Applications received after June 30th will be considered for the Winter semester and applications received after November 1st will be considererd for the next Fall semester.  Students intending to complete an Honours degree in History will be assisted by a faculty advisor in planning their academic programs.  The academic programs for Honours students must be approved by the Head of the Department or delegate.
   
   
4. Students electing Joint Honours are required to complete at least 51 credit hours in History according to the following pattern:
   
   a. 36 chosen in accordance with the pattern set out under the Major in History above;
   b. History 4800 and 4821;
   c. 3 additional credit hours in History electives beyond the first-year level; and
   d. if the student chooses to write the Honours Essay in History, the student must  successfully complete History 4822 and History 4999; or
   e. if the student chooses to write the Honours Essay in another Department, the student does not need to complete History 4822 and History 4999.  However, these courses must be replaced with 6 additional credit hours in History electives at the third-year level or above.
   
   
5. The minimum grades required are:
   
   a. 70% on each of the prescribed courses beyond the first-year level or an average of 75% on those courses; and 
    b. 70% or higher in History 4999.
   
   
6.  No more than 27 transfer credit hours may be included in the minimum 60 credit hours required for the Honours degree in History.

Honours Courses

• HIST 4800 Historiography is an introduction to the major historians and historiographical traditions of the West. This course is for Honours students and other selected students, including those intending to apply for graduate studies. (Offered in the Fall.)

• HIST 4822 Reading Course is a directed reading course for Honours and selected students. The readings will be chosen in such a way as to supplement a student's knowledge of the student's area of specialization and, where appropriate, to prepare the student for the honours essay. If a student intends to complete HIST 4999, a proposal for the honours essay will be a requirement of the course. (Offered in the Fall.) 

• HIST 4821 Reading Course is a directed reading course for Honours and selected students including those intending to apply for graduate studies. Readings will be taken from a list of works by historians, or social theorists whose works are related to history. (Offered in the Winter.)

• HIST 4999 Honours Essay is required as part of the Honours program.

Contact

For more information, please contact the Honours Coordinator for the Department of History at Memorial University, Dr. Sébastien Rossignol, at srossignol@mun.ca or (709) 864-2602.