Bachelor of Arts, History Major
The mission of the Bachelor of Arts (4-year) is to strengthen your critical and creative thinking by offering a broad range of social, political, and cultural programs of study. A liberal arts education from Athabasca University is designed to broaden your perspective on local and global affairs, encourage community and social involvement, and prepare you for lifelong learning and occupational diversity.
The Bachelor of Arts (4-year) provides students with a broad, flexible education that allows them to develop, understand, and disseminate knowledge, to think critically, and to build on these abilities. In addition, the four-year degree fully prepares students for most graduate programs. Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts (4-year) with a Major are expected to have gained sufficient analytical and critical thinking skills to be able to engage in independent research in their chosen major. Athabasca University does not offer an Honours BA.
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts (3-year) program who wish to transfer to the Bachelor of Arts (4-year) program must complete a new Undergraduate General Application Form. Previous education will be reassessed and students will be notified of the results.
History Major
Graduates of the BA (4-year) Major in History will have the ability to:
- situate contemporary events in broader historical contexts
- explain changing social attitudes as the product of specific contexts and events
- recognize the ways in which knowledge is socially constructed and sanctioned
- evaluate information for its relevance and reliability
- articulate logical arguments based on relevant information
- identify multiple possible explanations for events
- interpret historical evidence carefully and assess for possible bias.
Planning your program
Our online program plans can assist you in selecting the courses needed to fulfill your program requirements.
Athabasca University has developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.
Program requirements
Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.
Although you may change majors, a major must be selected when you enrol in the Bachelor of Arts (4-year) program.
You are strongly encouraged to register in ENGL 255 early in your program. The English writing skills requirement is waived for students enrolling in the second undergraduate degree.
Program structure
Total credits in the program | 120 |
Minimum credits required | |
---|---|
At the senior (300 or 400) level (including 18 credits at the 400 level) | 75 |
In the major (compulsory) * may be higher depending on the specific requirements of the major | 45* |
Minimum senior-level credits in major (including a minimum of 12 credits at the 400 level) | 30 |
Arts (Humanities and social sciences) | 96 |
| 18 18 |
Science | 6 |
Residency requirement. A minimum of 30 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University. | 30 |
Graduation with Distinction or Great Distinction. At least 24 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University in order to be considered. | 24 |
Minor (optional) | |
Minimum credits in the minor (including a minimum of 15 credits at the 300 and 400 level) | 30 |
Students may not apply a course to both the major and the minor. | |
Maximum credits allowed | |
In any one discipline | 60 |
Applied studies | 18 |
At the preparatory level | 6 |
At junior level in any one discipline | 15 |
Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition credits | 9 |
Additional History Major requirements
Requirements in addition to the general program requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (4-year) with Major:
- 45 credits in designated History Major courses including 30 senior (300/400) level credits (a minimum of 12, 400-level credits).
- 6 junior (200) level credits in Canadian history (HIST 224, HIST 225).
- A minimum of 6 junior (200) level credits in European or world history (HIST 201, 202, 205, 209, 210, 216, HIST/GLST 208).
- A minimum of 6 senior (300/400) level credits in European history (HIST 304, 327, 371, 372, 373, 383, 407,486, 492, HIST/GLST 384, HIST/HUMN/CLAS 309, HIST/HUMN/CLAS 312, and HIST/HUMN/RELS 313).
- A minimum of 6 senior (300/400) level credits in North American history.
- A minimum of 6 senior-level credits in the history of areas of the world other than North America or Europe.
Electives
(15 credits)
Second undergraduate degree
Students are not permitted to obtain a second undergraduate degree in the same field or related field as their first undergraduate degree. Students who have completed a previous undergraduate degree must enter the second undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (4-year) degree and follow these regulations. The English writing skills requirement is waived for students enrolling in the second undergraduate degree.
Helpful links and resources:
Updated July 26, 2024 by Office of the Registrar (calendar@athabascau.ca)