History
In this program you’ll study how societies got to where they are today. The history program includes courses on:
- war
- sex and violence
- slavery
- and more
Potential careers
What can you do with a history degree? Here are a few jobs that relate to the program:
- communications coordinator
- librarian
- archivist
- curator
- museum coordinator
- historical interpreter
- exhibit designer
- foreign service officer
- immigration officer
- intelligence officer
- cultural programs coordinator
- human resources coordinator
- legal professional
- fund development
- counsellor
- teacher or instructor
- entrepreneur
Some of these roles may require post-graduate studies or training.
Find a career that fits you
- Explore your career options at an appointment with a career educator.
- Attend career development workshops as you search for work.
- Take part in the Career Clarity program to generate career ideas and plan your next steps.
Experience & connections
Opportunities in the history program
- With the Co-op Program you can alternate study with paid work.
Opportunities outside your program
- With a work study position you can develop skills during your study term.
- Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while you build skills.
Networks you can connect to
Here are a few professional associations related to history:
Hands-on learning opportunities
These courses in the history program offer extensive hands-on learning.
Co-op
Co-op work terms
Alternate academic study with paid work terms to gain workplace experience
Course-based
HSTR 324A - Northwest America to 1849
HSTR 324B - British Columbia, 1849-1900
HIST 328D - Indigenous-Settler Treaties in Canada since 1600
(involves engagement with Indigenous communities)
Engage with Indigenous guest speakers
Creative or design project
HSTR 304 - Social History of the Automobile
Produce an oral or video history about the impact of automobiles on society
HSTR 324A - Northwest America to 1849
HSTR 324B - British Columbia, 1849-1900
(involves engagement with Indigenous communities)
Present primary source research using a website or video
Field experience
HSTR 389A - Public Histories Local and Global
Take part in field trips showcasing local public history
HSTR 481 - A Global History of the Chinese Overseas
Conduct fieldwork in Victoria’s Chinatown
Professional and technical skill development
HSTR 301 - The Historian's Craft
Develop research, analytical and writing skills
HSTR 496 - Approaches to History
Develop research, writing and presentation skills
Research project
HSTR 342A - Europe from Louis XIV to the French Revolution
Develop an independent research project using primary sources
HSTR 389A - Public Histories Local and Global
Investigate public history and conduct research using primary sources
HSTR 426A - Veterans' Oral History
Interview veterans and compile stories for the Veterans’ Oral History Project
HSTR 427 - Seminar in Indigenous History of Canada
Research Indigenous history in Canada using primary sources
HSTR 430 - Seminar in Canadian History
Present and share research using a public-facing website
HSTR 460 - Seminar in World History
Research a specific topic in world history
HSTR 471 – Topics in Thematic and Comparative History
Research a specific topic in thematic and comparative history
HSTR 481 - A Global History of the Chinese Overseas
Research the Chinese diaspora using primary sources
HSTR 489A - Doing History in a Digital World
Conduct archival research and create public-facing websites to present findings
HSTR 497 - Third-Year Honours Essay
Research, write and orally present a third-year honours essay
HSTR 499 - Honours Thesis
Research, write and orally present a graduating honours essay
Work experience
Work experience work terms
Take part in a modified co-op program requiring one or two work experiences
These courses are not always offered as described.
What you'll learn
Every student at UVic builds skills all employers look for. At UVic Co-op & Career we call these "competencies". This is what you’ll learn in the history program.
Historical awareness
- be familiar with events and issues in Canadian, American, British, European, Asian, world and comparative history
- assess patterns of change and continuity over time
- develop arguments based on historical evidence, especially in documentary, oral and visual form
- assess historical information, documents and artifacts
- understand the relationships among historical events and issues
Historical method
- use a systematic method of inquiry to understand and interpret historical events and issues
- apply critical approaches to the interpretation of history
- understand past events or issues in their historical and historiographic context
- understand how the study of history involves interpretation of the past based on current perspectives
- Re-evaluate existing understandings of the past as new information and interpretations arise
Political and military perspective
- understand how political and military perspectives influence the interpretation of events and issues
- use your knowledge of political, economic and legal systems to understand historical events and issues
- analyze the role that imperialism, nationalism, industrialization and globalization play in different eras and regions
Social and cultural perspective
- understand how social and cultural perspectives influence the interpretation of events and issues
- analyze the roles that gender, race, class, religion, nationality and ethnicity play in different eras and regions
- analyze the roles that art, literature, science and technology play in different eras and regions