History Major | 2018

This Major is available for students studying the Bachelor of Arts.

The History major at UOW offers you the opportunity to examine a wide range of periods, places and people. Our subjects cover Ancient and Modern History across Australia, Asia, Europe and the Pacific. They explore key themes - such as the history of empires, the environment, the political and social impacts of wars, as well as histories of sex, race and gender. History is one of the most popular Majors in the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry and our teaching and research consistently attracts top ratings.

In your first year you will study a broad range of historical periods, using a variety of theoretical approaches. In your second and third years you will be able to specialise by studying in greater depth the topics that interest you. Throughout your major you will be supported to refine and extend your use of historical evidence, with particular emphasis on the exciting forms of historical research that digital media have now made possible.

Studying History also includes learning what it is to be a historian. Each subject you study will help you to develop a sophisticated and critical appreciation of contemporary approaches to the use of evidence, as well as historical theories and interpretation. You will become expert in developing arguments, and in composing historical narratives in a variety of media. History will broaden your understanding of the world and help you articulate your knowledge, values and beliefs clearly and effectively.
 

Major Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this major you will be able to:

1. Evaluate historical processes using examples from a variety of periods and places;
2. Appraise present-day global affairs from an historical perspective;
3. Utilise different types of evidence to demonstrate an understanding of historical change;
4. Critically review how Historians produce different interpretations of the past.

The History major provides a coherent course of study. Each subject in the major is intended to provide an understanding of a topic, area or theme, which is then further developed in subsequent years.

100 level subjects require no special knowledge. They provide you with a broad survey of a wide range of times, places and themes.
You will also learn many valuable basic skills to help you build a strong foundation for their major. At 100 level students learn how to:

• Identify the causes and effects of historical change;
• Summarise the main points of a historical work;
• Identify the thesis or central argument of a historical work;
• Describe the historical context of a work;
• Identify different types of historical evidence;
• See how historians produce different accounts of the same event; and
• Consult primary source material to produce and defend arguments.

200-level subjects refine and extend both skills and historical knowledge. They offer study in greater depth and take a closer look at events and places, as well as introduce students to a range of primary sources, focussing particularly on digital archives.

300-level subjects take a detailed approach to major historical problems. They guide you toward a sophisticated understanding of historical theories, narratives and original sources. These may include film, radio, television, archival manuscript, oral interviews, literature, newspapers, parliamentary records, photographs, diaries and/or company documents.

Subjects Required For Major Study

The History major will consist of at least 48 credit points as outlined below:

Note that if you are also studying an Ancient History minor, you cannot count HIST112, HIST259, HIST262, and HIST386 to both the History major and your minor.

Timetables

Click on subject codes in the above table for information on sessions of offer for each subject.

To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.

Minor Study

Students completing the Archeology and Ancient History Major may be interested in the following 24 credit point minors: 

• Modern History Minor;
• Ancient History Minor;
• Australian Studies Minor.

Information regarding minors, including which subjects to take to complete a minor, are available on the 2018 General Schedule of Minors page.

Minors appear on the transcript (i.e. academic record), but do not appear on the testamur. To have a minor study recorded on their transcript, students need to declare their minor study by submitting an Application to Declare or Change Intended Major/Minor.

Work Integrated Learning

Undertaking a work integrated learning (WIL) experience during your university education is now a significant contributor to being competitive in securing employment in your field of choice when you graduate from UOW.

The Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts internship program provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their degree in a workplace setting.

Students are also encouraged to consider CRLP200 (6cp). CRLP200 includes a quality assured workplace internship or industry project to give you that competitive edge by developing your professional skills through authentic learning in a real world context. You will focus on your career goals and receive career direction guidance, strengthen your resume and gain skills to navigate the rapidly changing world of work, develop your communication skills and begin to build a professional network.
 

Honours

See Bachelor of Arts (Honours).

Entry Requirements & Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the UOW Course Finder.

Other Information

For further information email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au