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History

History at Huron is a dynamic and exciting department that explores the rich and varied landscapes of the human past. A sense of the past is essential to personal identity, national unity and international co-existence. Yet, modern society makes the past increasingly elusive. The study of History produces an awareness of the fragility of our knowledge of the past, and the critical tools we need to examine the many versions of the past offered to us.

Studying History cultivates empathy, bring precision and energy to your writing, and connects you to professional networks. Our programs offer unparalleled opportunities for hands-on archival research, digital scholarship, research travel, local and global partnerships, and collaboration with faculty. In a world rocked by questions about truth, evidence and the nature of human understanding, history matters.

HISTORY BROCHURE

Alumni Stories

Our History alumni have outstanding records in graduate and professional studies after Huron, and are employed in a range of fields, from digital communications, management, law, education, journalism, film and publishing to urban planning and global health policy.

Read more about our outstanding History graduates.

  • Huron's experiential learning opportunities enabled me to extend my knowledge far beyond what I learned in class. This helped me develop a robust understanding and skillset that I am able to apply to my pursuits of Leadership with Heart.
    Emily Abbott
    History & Political Science
    Read more
  • Female entrepreneurs should never give up. There’s a lot of naysayers, but if you believe in something with your whole heart, don’t give up, just work toward it
    Sonja Fernandes, BA'12 Philosophy
    Founder, SF&Co
    Read more
  • Alfred Apps
    BA '79, Philosophy
    Read more
HONORS SPECIALIZATION
SPECIALIZATION
MAJOR
MINOR
History

History and memory are at the heart of all human experience. Studying History is key to understanding contemporary culture, and to unlocking hope for a future that holds endless capacity for change.

Our courses offer global perspectives, taking you to the leading edge of historical scholarship through our faculty research expertise, and award-winning teaching.

History builds flexible and practical skills in research, writing, crafting argument, collaboration, public engagement, and a sense of empathy. History students at Huron have unparalleled opportunities for hands-on historical research, travel, and experiential learning in the local community and through international collaboration and study. Our programs easily combine with study in a range of other disciplines, or with our unique and innovative minors, including Public History, and History of the Book.

Learn more about History programs:
Honors Specialization
Specialization
Major
Minor
Combined Honors Specialization Faculty of Arts and Social Science at Huron/HBA

Public History

Huron’s Minor in Public History—the first undergraduate Public History program in Canada—promotes critical reflection about the meaning of the past, and develops digital communication and research skills. Students learn through community-based and active history partnerships with museums, heritage organizations, libraries and archives.

A joint program offered by Huron University College, King’s University College and Western University, Public History at Huron will teach you new ways to communicate about history in and beyond museums, archives, historical sites, film, fiction, on the web, and public discourse and policy making.

You can combine the module with a History Honors Specialization, Major or Specialization, or with modules in other disciplines at Huron or at Western such as Archaeology, Classical Studies, Geography, Visual Art, Museum and Curatorial Studies, and Media, Information and Technoculture.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE JOINT MINOR IN PUBLIC HISTORY.

HISTORY OF THE BOOK

The new Minor in History of the Book is a joint program Huron’s English and Cultural Studies at Huron. Courses introduce you to the field of book studies, provide opportunities to create digital scholarship, and give you new perspective on historical study and evidence.

The program features collaborative workshops, community-based research, and a capstone course in Huron’s new Letterpress Studio.

Learn more about History of the Book.

PACIFIC RIM STUDIES

Pacific Rim Studies offers interdisciplinary and cross-regional studies of East Asia and North America, focusing on the common, comparative, and interactive aspects of the lives of the peoples in the Pacific Rim region.

While encouraging students to find commonalities between disciplines, Pacific Rim Studies Minor will also introduce them to a diversity of approaches, primary sources and intellectual traditions that shape this dynamic transnational and interdisciplinary research area.

The minor will benefit students interested in the fields of law, education and policy making, and any field which builds on the connections between the regions which form the Pacific Rim.

Learn more about the Pacific Rim Studies minor.

HISTORIES OF AFRICA AND THE AFRICAN DIASPORAS

This interdisciplinary module offers the only program in African history in the Western family of history departments. Learn critical perspectives on the histories of Africa, histories of the African Diaspora in the Americas, and the histories of Africa and African Diasporas in a global context.

Choose from our unique-to-Huron courses in African history, and from courses across a range of programs at Huron and Western, including English and Cultural Studies, Global Studies, Theology, Women’s Studies, Geography, and Political Science.

Learn more about the Histories of Africa and the African Diasporas minor.

World History

Designed for students completing a major or specialization in a discipline or program other than History, this module offers global perspectives that draw on our unique suite of world history courses.

Including electives from across Huron programs, the World History minor complements modules in a wide range of fields, including Management and Organizational Studies, Global Studies, Philosophy, and Political Science.

Learn more about the World History minor.

STUDIES IN IMPERIALISM

Study empire and colonialism, enslavement and dispossession, and the power of resistance movements to challenge and dismantle the structures of imperial power through the global history courses and cross-disciplinary options in the Studies in Imperialism minor.  Understanding the history of imperialism is key to understanding the contemporary world, including Canada’s place in a global context.

Learn more about the Studies in Imperialism minor.

ATLANTIC WORLD

Study the interconnected cultures, literatures, and histories of the Atlantic World through a module that includes elective courses from across the Faculty of Arts and Social Science at Huron. The courses in the module highlight theme of revolution, slavery, emancipation, imperialism and post-colonial movements, Enlightenment, and women’s activism.

Learn more about the Atlantic World minor.

Chinese History

This module includes engaging and unique-to-Huron courses in the history and culture of China. The minor is designed to complement studies in a range disciplines, including BMOS, Global Great Books, and Governance, Leadership and Ethics.

Learn more about the Chinese History minor.

Professors

We are a diverse and international group of scholars. As a collegial unit, we thrive on collaborative and innovative teaching and support each others’ impressive publication records. Our research, which is focused on the modern era, links the study of the past with vital social and political issues of today: indigenous rights, gender equality, the environment, education, modern slavery, citizenship and issues of law and justice.

  • China has a rich history that spans countless centuries, making a study of its cultural practices over time an extraordinarily interesting academic endeavour. I look forward to supporting my students to learn about the significant political, military and social discourses that have shaped this world power - and its many dynamic dynasties.
    Jun Fang, PhD
    Professor, History
    Read more
  • My goal when I teach is to transform how my students think. In particular, I want students to recognize the importance of historical context to understanding the contemporary world.
    Geoff Read, PhD
    Provost and Dean of Arts and Social Science
    Read more

History Department

Faculty

Program sessional and per course instructors 

Professors Emeriti

History Courses

Our classes emphasize the connections between historical study and the world we live in today. Faculty research expertise addresses North America, China, and the British and French Empires, framing contemporary debates about slavery, freedom and race; the struggle for gender equality; indigeneity, empire and colonialism; and the parameters of law in the global context of individual freedoms.

2024 - 2025 Courses
Course – See link for Academic Calendar description Instructor Section – see links for Course Outline
HIS 1808G – Powerful Words: Global History Through Key Sources Wilkinson 550
HIS 1815G – Histories of Love Bell 550
HIS 1816F – Histories of Violence Fang 550
HIS 1817G – History in the Headlines Blocker 550
HIS 1818F – Treasure: Objects of Desire in Global History Compeau 550
HIS 1818G – Treasure: Objects of Desire in Global History TBA 550
HIS 1819F – Monsters: A Human History Reid-Maroney 550
HIS 2125F – Northern Enterprise: Canadian Business and Labor History Blocker 550
HIS 2204G – Crises and Confederation: The Making of Modern Canada Blocker 550
HIS 2302F – American Modern: The United States in the Twentieth Century Reid-Maroney 550
HIS 2415G – The Age of Napoleon Compeau 550
HIS 2420G – Britain During World War II Bell 550
HIS 2604G – European Imperialism in Africa 1830-1994 Solomon 550
HIS 2701E – Patterns and Perspectives in World History Compeau 550
HIS 2702E – Ten Days That Shook the World Fang 550
HIS 2710F – Red, White, Black et Blancs: The Americas to 1867 Peace 550
HIS / JS 2821F – Jewish History from the Origins of the Israelites to 1492 CE Sabo 550
HIS 3202G – Treaties, Property, and the Law in Canada Peace 550
HIS 3313F – The Movement: Civil Rights and African-American History in the 20th Century Solomon 550
HIS 3314F – California Calling: Histories of the “Golden State” in Text, Sound, and Image Reid-Maroney 550
HIS 3801E – The Historian’s Craft Bell 550
HIS 4605E – War and Memory in Modern East Asia Fang 550
HIS 4804G – Murder: A Social and Legal History Bell 550
HIS 4702G – European Imperialism Compeau 550
2023 - 2024 Courses
Course – See link for Academic Calendar description Instructor Section – see links for Course Outline
HIS 1606F – China: Current Issues in Historical Context Fang 550
HIS 1808G – Powerful Words: Global History Through Key Sources Wilkinson 550
HIS 1815G – Histories of Love Bell 550
HIS 1817G – History in the Headlines Blocker 550
HIS 1818F – Treasure: Objects of Desire in Global History Compeau 550
HIS 1818G – Treasure: Objects of Desire in Global History Compeau 550
HIS 1819F – Monsters: A Human History Reid-Maroney 550
HIS 2204G – Crises and Confederation: The Making of Modern Canada Blocker 550
HIS 2302G – American Modern: The United States in the Twentieth Century Reid-Maroney 550
HIS 2413E – Europe and the Paradoxes of Modernity Ramsay 550
HIS 2420G – Britain During World War II Bell 550
HIS 2603E – China: Tradition and Transformation Fang 550
HIS 2709F – Race, Rights, and Revolution: The Atlantic World in the Eighteenth Century Reid-Maroney 550
HIS 2710F – Red, White, Black et Blancs: The Americas to 1867 Melle 550
HIS 2712F – Tyrants: Historical Profiles in Oppression and Resistance Compeau 550
HIS 2714G – Merchants of Empire: The First Global Corporations Compeau 550
HIS 2801G – History Wars Compeau 550
HIS 2822F – Jewish History from the Spanish Expulsion to the Modern Era Tesler-Mabé 550
HIS 3230F – Digital Disruptions: Using Digital Tools to Learn Mi’kmaw and Acadian Histories Peace 550
HIS 3311F – Slavery and Freedom: African-American History, 1600-1896 Solomon 550
HIS 3416G – The Holocaust Tesler-Mabé 550
HIS 3706E – Political Assassinations, 1900-2000 Fang 550
HIS 3801E – The Historian’s Craft Reid-Maroney 550
HIS 4802G – Masculinity and Modern History Compeau 550
HIS 4804G – Murder: Social and Legal History Bell 550
HIS 4810F – Making History Matter to the Public: Practicing Active History Isaac 550
HIS 4903E – Senior Thesis Peace 550

 

2022 - 2023 Courses
Course Instructor Course Outline
HIS 1800F  – The People’s Histories Reid-Maroney 550
HIS 1808F – A Few Words That Changed the World Wilkinson 550
HIS 1815G – Histories of Love Bell 550
HIS 1816F – Histories of Violence Fang 550
HIS 1817G – History in the Headlines Blocker 550
HIS 1818G – Treasure: Objects of Desire in Global History Compeau 550
HIS 2125F – Northern Enterprise Krats 550
HIS 2127G – In Search of Canada Krats 550
HIS 2204G – Crises and Confederation: The Making of Modern Canada Blocker 550
HIS 2302G – American Modern: The United States in the Twentieth Century Reid-Maroney 550
HIS 2415F – The Age of Napoleon Compeau 550
HIS 2420F – Britain During World War II Bell 550
HIS 2602G – Pre-Colonial Africa Wilkinson 550
HIS 2610F – Women in East Asia Fang 550
HIS 2710F – Red, White, Black et Blancs: Early North American History Bayer 550
HIS 2811G – Historians, Communities, and the Past Compeau 550
HIS 2813F – Women Making Waves Reid-Maroney 550
HIS 2821F – Jewish History from the Origins of the Israelites to 1492 CE Clark 550
HIS 3201E – First Peoples and Colonialism in Canada Peace 550
HIS 3313F – The Movement: Civil Rights and African-American History in the 20th Century Bayer 550
HIS 3314G – California Calling: Histories of the “Golden State” in Text, Sound, and Image Reid-Maroney 550
HIS 3797F – Selected Topics in International or Comparative History Compeau 550
HIS 3801E – The Historian’s Craft Bell 550
HIS 4307F – American Dreams: Radicals and Reformers From a “City on a Hill” to Herland Reid-Maroney 550
HIS 4606F – Sex, Law, and Society in Imperial China Fang 550
HIS 4713G – Spiritualism, Seances and the Occult Bell 550
HIS 4802G – Masculinity and Modern History Compeau 550

 

 

2021 - 2022 Courses
Course Instructor Course Outline
HIS 1800F  – The People’s Histories Reid-Maroney View course outline
HIS 1808G – A Few Words That Changed the World Peace View course outline
HIS 1815F – Histories of Love Bell View course outline
HIS 1816G – Histories of Violence Fang View course outline
HIS 1817G – History in the Headlines Blocker View course outline
HIS 1818F – Treasure: Objects of Desire in Global History Compeau View course outline
HIS 2125F – Northern Enterprise Krats View course outline
HIS 2127G – In Search of Canada Krats View course outline
HIS 2204G – Crises and Confederation: The Making of Modern Canada Peace View course outline
HIS 2302F – American Modern: The United States in the Twentieth Century Reid-Maroney View course outline
HIS 2413E – Europe and the Paradoxes of Modernity Compeau View course outline
HIS 2604G – European Imperialism in Africa 1830-1994 van Tol View course outline
HIS 2615G – Chinese Women’s Biography Fang View course outline
HIS 2702E – Ten Days That Shook the World Fang View course outline
HIS 2710F – Red, White, Black et Blancs: Early North American History McCorkindale View course outline
HIS 2712G – Tyrants: Historical Profiles in Oppression and Resistance Compeau View course outline
HIS 2813F – Women Making Waves Reid-Maroney View course outline
HIS 2822F – Jewish History From the Spanish Expulsion to the Modern Era Shaw View course outline
HIS 3311G – Slavery and Freedom McCorkindale View course outline
HIS 3410F – Sex, Books and Violence Bell View course outline
HIS 3615F – Crime and Punishment in Imperial China Fang View course outline
HIS 3801E – The Historian’s Craft Bell View course outline
HIS 3812G – Historical Fantasies Compeau View course outline
HIS 4202F – Confronting Colonialism: Land, Literacies and Learning Peace View course outline
HIS 4702G – European Imperialism Read View course outline
HIS 4713G – Spiritualism, Seances and the Occult Bell View course outline
HIS 4810F – Engaging With the Past: Practicing Active History Blow View course outline
2020 - 2021 Courses
Course Instructor Course Outline
HIS 1800F  – The People’s Histories Reid-Maroney View course outline
HIS 1815G – Histories of Love Bell View course outline
HIS 1816F – Histories of Violence Fang View course outline
HIS 1817G – History in the Headlines Blocker View course outline
HIS 1818F – Objects of Desire Compeau View course outline
HIS 2125F – Northern Enterprise Krats View course outline
HIS 2127G – In Search of Canada Krats View course outline
HIS 2204G – Crises and Confederation: The Making of Modern Canada Blocker View course outline
HIS 2302G – American Modern: The United States in the Twentieth Century Reid-Maroney View course outline
HIS 2602G – Pre-Colonial Africa Read View course outline
HIS 2603E – China: Tradition and Transformation Fang View course outline
HIS 2610G – Women in East Asia Fang View course outline
HIS 2701E – Patterns and Perspectives in World History Compeau View course outline
HIS 2709F – Race, Rights, and Revolution Reid-Maroney View course outline
HIS 2710F – Red, White, Black et Blancs: Early North American History McCorkindale View course outline
HIS 2811F – Historians, Communities and Past Compeau View course outline
HIS 2821F – Jewish History to 1492 Clark View course outline
HIS 3201E – First Peoples and Colonialism Melle View course outline
HIS 3410F – Sex, Books and Violence Bell View course outline
HIS 3801E – The Historian’s Craft Bell View course outline
HIS 4296G – Selected Topics in Canadian History Halpern View course outline
HIS 4422F – London UK: Crime and Disorder Bell View course outline
HIS 4606F – Sex, Law, and Society in Imperial China Fang View course outline
HIS 4802G – Masculinity and Modern History Compeau View course outline
2019 - 2020 Courses
Course Instructor Course Outline
HIS 1801E – Blood, Sweat & Gold: Controversies in Global History Peace/Compeau View course outline
HIS 1815F – Histories of Love Bell View course outline
HIS 1816G – Histories of Violence Bell View course outline
HIS 2125F – Northern Enterprise: Canadian Business and Labour History Krats View course outline
HIS 2127G – In Search of Canada: Postwar to Present Krats View course outline
HIS 2204G – Crises and Confederation: The Making of Modern Canada Peace View course outline
HIS 2302F – American Modern: The United States in the Twentieth Century McCorkindale View course outline
HIS 2413E – Europe and the Paradoxes of Modernity Compeau View course outline
HIS 2604G – European Imperialism in Africa van Tol View course outline
HIS 2610F – Women in East Asia Fang View course outline
HIS 2710F – Red, White, Black et Blancs: Early North American History Peace View course outline
HIS 2712G – Tyrants: Historical Profiles in Oppression and Resistance Compeau View course outline
HIS 2713G – Republic of Letters: Enlightenment in the Atlantic World  Reid-Maroney View course outline
HIS 2813F – Making Waves: Women’s Activism in the Atlantic World Reid-Maroney View course outline
HIS 3296F – Special Topics in Canadian History Peace View course outline
HIS 3410G – The British Empire: Sex, Books and Violence Bell View course outline
HIS 3706E – Political Assassinations Fang View course outline
HIS 3801E – The Historian’s Craft Bell View course outline
HIS 4202F – Land, Literacies & Learning Peace View course outline
HIS 4605E – War & Memory in Modern East Asia Fang View course outline
HIS 4810F – Engaging With the Past: Practicing Active History Compeau View course outline
2018 - 2019 Courses
Course Instructor Course Outline
HIS 1801E – Blood, Sweat & Gold: Controversies in Global History Peace/Compeau View course outline
HIS 1815F – Histories of Love Bell View course outline
HIS 1816G – Histories of Violence Bell View course outline
HIS 2125F – Northern Enterprise: Canadian Business and Labour History Krats View course outline
HIS 2127G – In Search of Canada: Postwar to Present Krats View course outline
HIS 2204G – Crises and Confederation: The Making of Modern Canada Peace View course outline
HIS 2302G – American Modern: The United States in the Twentieth Century Reid-Maroney View course outline
HIS 2701E – Patterns and Perspectives in World History Compeau View course outline
HIS 2710F – Red, White, Black et Blancs: Early North American History Reid-Maroney View course outline
HIS 2712G – Tyrants and Tyranny Compeau View course outline
HIS 2810F – Gender in Modern Europe van Tol View course outline
HIS 2811F – Historians, Communities and the Past Compeau View course outline
HIS 3201E – Fist Peoples and Colonialism in Canada Peace View course outline
HIS 3313G – The Movement: Civil Rights and African American History in the 20th Century Reid-Maroney View course outline
HIS 3705E – Current Crises in Historical Perspective Charbonneau View course outline
HIS 3801E – The Historian’s Craft Bell View course outline
HIS 4307F – American Dreams: Radicals and Reformers Reid-Maroney View course outline
HIS 4414F – Secrets, Spies and Surveillance Compeau View course outline
HIS 4422G – London UK: Crime and Disorder   Bell View course outline
HIS 4802G – Masculinity and Modern History Compeau View course outline

History Careers

History leads the humanities as preparation for careers in law, management, public service, and education. Beyond those pathways, a Huron History degree gives you the flexibility and experience you need to take on any career you can imagine. Our programs will take your studies to the leading edge of research in the humanities and transform the way you think about the past, the way you see the present, and the way you frame your future.

Also, visit the Canadian Historical Association’s website to delve deeper into where a degree in History could take you!

VISIT CHA NOW

Canadian Historical Society

Where will a degree in History take you?
  • Business
  • Journalism
  • Publishing
  • Marketing
  • Tourism
  • Finance
  • Digital communications
  • Curriculum development
  • Public service
  • Heritage
  • Film
  • Teaching
  • Law
  • Social work
  • Administration
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Key Contacts