Program Requirements

The History program at SFU recognizes the importance of a broad base of knowledge about the History of the world. As such, students in the Major and Honours programs are required to take courses with subject matter concerning the Americas and the Wider World (Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe).

Most students completing a History credential are enrolled a Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences but History can be included as part of a program in any faculty.

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) requires the completion of either a major, two extended minors or two minors.   

See the SFU Calendar for further details.

Program Overview

The History Department is organized around four streams. Students are encouraged to study broadly across these streams:

• Africa, Asia, and the Middle East
• The Americas
  
• Europe (Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Russia, Byzantium)
• Global/Comparative

Lower Division Requirements:  18 units at 100/200 level. 

100 level courses are ideal for students with no History background, but all students may register for any 100 or 200 level History course as they have no prerequisites.  All lower division History courses are worth 3 units. 

Students planning to major in History should look ahead at the 300 and 400 level course offerings and make sure that they are prepared to take the courses they are most interested in and prepared to take courses in all four groups.  

Upper Division Requirements:        32 units at upper division
At least 12 of which at 400 level
At least one course in each of the four groups listed above

Lower Division Requirements:        9 units at 100/200 level
Upper Division Requirements:        15 or 16 units at Upper Division
At least 4 of which at 300 level
At least 4 of which at 400 level
The minor program is ideal for students who enjoy taking History but do not wish to focus on it as a major. The minor program can also serve as an alternative to a major when combined with a minor or extended minor in another department.   

Lower Division Requirements:        18 units at 100/200 level
Upper Division Requirements:        15 or 16 units at Upper Division
At least 4 of which at 300 level
At least 4 of which at 400 level
The extended minor program is ideal for students who have taken a number of lower division History courses but do not intend to complete a History major.  The extended minor program can also serve as an alternative to a major when combined with a minor or extended minor in another department.   

History’s Honours program is a competitive entry program that accepts a maximum of 15 students per year.  The students work in a cohort through 4 classes worth a total of 16 units. Four credits come from the Honours Essay, an 8,000 - 10,000 word Directed Reading course. Admission to the program is based on grade point average (upper division History grade point is the most important) and a writing sample.  Applications are sent out at the beginning of the summer term and admission decisions are made in June in time for Fall registration. The admission GPA varies each year depending on the number and caliber of applicants.

For more information on whether the program would be suitable for you and how to apply, speak to the History Advisor.

History has a joint major program with the following departments:

English
Humanities
Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies
World Literature

The History component of these programs has the same requirements as the History major with the exception that students complete only 24 instead of 32 upper division units.

We also offer a triple Joint Major in French, History, and Political Science. Please consult the Department of French for more information on this program.

The Department offers three formal concentrations for students with an interest in Middle East and Islamic History, British and Irish History or Early Modern History. Concentrations are optional and only offered in these three fields.

Students completing a Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major or Honours may complete a concentration by taking the courses listed on these checklists.  

Middle East and Islamic Concentration
British and Irish Concentration
Early Modern Concentration

If you have questions about the applicability of a “Studies in History” course or (for majors only!) a course in another department that seems to fit the concentration, please contact the department advisor.

All students admitted to SFU in the 1067 (Fall 2006) semester or later must complete the Writing/Quantitative/Breadth requirements to fulfill their degree program (students admitted before 1067 have different requirements and can consult the History Advisor if they require more information).

Please note, this is a list of all courses offered and the courses listed will not be offered in every semester.   Consult departmental websites for information on future course offerings.