History, Bachelor of Arts

Program Information
Credential: 
Bachelor's Degree
Duration: 

2 years at RDC - 2 years at most universities

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 
Program Cost Estimates

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Jane MacNeil
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca

Department Information

For more information on the History program, visit the History Department in Humanities & Social Sciences, under About RDC.

University Transfer Program

Two-Year University Transfer Program:

RDC offers the first two years of these degree programs:

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

For the most current university program and transfer information, see the Planning Guides in Academic Advising.

Related Careers
  • Advertising
  • Government and Civil Service
  • Research
  • Administration
  • Law Enforcement and Corrections
  • Public Relations
  • Management
  • Radio and Television
  • Recreation
  • Journalism
  • Urban Planning
  • Publishing & Printing
  • Armed Forces
  • Writing
  • Consulting
  • Museum
  • Archivist

Graduates may also go on to professional studies (for example in fields such as law, business, education, etc.) or may continue to graduate studies (for a Master's or Doctoral program) in History.

B.A. graduates generally have superior skills in conceptual analysis, evaluation and critical reasoning, leadership motivation, and interpersonal and communication skills.

The Program

For a general discussion of the B.A. program, click here.

History is the analysis of the human past. Courses are offered in three main areas: Canadian, European and British. RDC special interests include Western Canadian history, British Empire and Commonwealth, Modern British social history and Modern Europe. First year courses include Classics, Medieval, Early Modern World, and Modern World.

Note: While there are no prerequisites for second year History courses, students are encouraged to learn the fundamentals of historical writing and research in first year courses.

Transfer Features

Visit the Bachelor of Arts page for transfer features.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

Visit the Bachelor of Arts page for full admission requirements.

Program Content
University of Alberta

Credits below = U of A credits. RDC credits may differ from U of A credits. Check the Alberta Transfer Guide for transfer credit information.

Suggested Pattern Year 1

  • ENGL 219/ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • Junior History (2 of HIST 207, HIST 208, HIST 209 or CLAS 209 (6 credits)
  • Basic Requirement (18 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

CLAS 209

The beginnings of civilization to circa A.D. 600. Special emphasis is placed on Ancient Greek and Roman culture, mythology, religion and history. Students will be introduced to the daily life and historical importance of these two cultures.

ENGL 219

Explore university-level essay composition and the skills related to critical reading, interpretation, and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or equivalent. NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

HIST 207

Survey of world history from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to onset of the French Revolution in 1789. Topics may include: Protestantism and religious warfare, changing state and social structures, witchcraft, exploration and European encounters with other continents, and changes to statecraft.

HIST 208

Survey of world history since the French Revolution. Topics may include: industrialization, nationalism and imperialism, the two World Wars, the Russian Revolution, the Cold War, and the march towards globalization.

HIST 209

A history of the world from the sixth century to the mid- fifteenth century. This course deals with the barbarian invasions and the collapse of the classical empires in Europe, China, and India; the expansion of universal religions of Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity; the birth of Islam and the early Islamic Empires; the crusades; the Torko-Mongol Empires; the silk routes and the effect of trade and commerce on Europe and Asia, and the origins of European expansion into the rest of the world.

Suggested Pattern Year 2

  • Sr HIST (12 credits)
  • Basic Requirement (6 credits)
  • Open Option (12 credits)
University of Calgary

Credits below = U of C credits. RDC credits may differ from U of C credits. Check the Alberta Transfer Guide for transfer credit information.

Suggested Year 1 Pattern

  • ENGL 219/ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • Any 2 of HIST 207, HIST 208, HIST 209 (6 credits)
  • Science requirement (6 credits)
  • Options (12 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

ENGL 219

Explore university-level essay composition and the skills related to critical reading, interpretation, and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or equivalent. NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

HIST 207

Survey of world history from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to onset of the French Revolution in 1789. Topics may include: Protestantism and religious warfare, changing state and social structures, witchcraft, exploration and European encounters with other continents, and changes to statecraft.

HIST 208

Survey of world history since the French Revolution. Topics may include: industrialization, nationalism and imperialism, the two World Wars, the Russian Revolution, the Cold War, and the march towards globalization.

HIST 209

A history of the world from the sixth century to the mid- fifteenth century. This course deals with the barbarian invasions and the collapse of the classical empires in Europe, China, and India; the expansion of universal religions of Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity; the birth of Islam and the early Islamic Empires; the crusades; the Torko-Mongol Empires; the silk routes and the effect of trade and commerce on Europe and Asia, and the origins of European expansion into the rest of the world.

Suggested Year 2 Pattern

  • HIST 373/HIST 374 (6 credits)
  • Sr HIST (6 credits)
  • Open Option (12 credits)
Year 2 Course Descriptions

HIST 373

Canada's colonial era. The discovery and settlement of the regions that would be united in the Dominion of Canada in 1867. The development of social and political institutions. This course and HIST 374 provide a complete survey of Canadian history and a foundation for senior and advanced courses in this field.

HIST 374

A survey of the efforts to create a nation-state that controlled the northern half of the North American continent. The National Policy. The nature of a Canadian identity. Canada among the community of nations. Threats to the country's survival posed by regionalism, separatism, and the influence of the United States.

University of Lethbridge

Credits below = U of L credits. RDC credits may differ from U of L credits. Check the Alberta Transfer Guide for transfer credit information.

Suggested Year 1 Pattern

  • HIST 207 or HIST 209 (3 credits)
  • Jr HIST (3 credits)
  • ENGL 219/ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • General Liberal Education Requirements (12 credits)
  • Open Option (6 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

ENGL 219

Explore university-level essay composition and the skills related to critical reading, interpretation, and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or equivalent. NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

HIST 207

Survey of world history from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to onset of the French Revolution in 1789. Topics may include: Protestantism and religious warfare, changing state and social structures, witchcraft, exploration and European encounters with other continents, and changes to statecraft.

HIST 209

A history of the world from the sixth century to the mid- fifteenth century. This course deals with the barbarian invasions and the collapse of the classical empires in Europe, China, and India; the expansion of universal religions of Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity; the birth of Islam and the early Islamic Empires; the crusades; the Torko-Mongol Empires; the silk routes and the effect of trade and commerce on Europe and Asia, and the origins of European expansion into the rest of the world.

Suggested Year 2 Pattern

  • Sr HIST (9 credits)
  • HIST 373 or HIST 374 (3 credits)
  • General Liberal Education Requirements (6 credits)
  • Open Options (12 credits)
Year 2 Course Descriptions

HIST 373

Canada's colonial era. The discovery and settlement of the regions that would be united in the Dominion of Canada in 1867. The development of social and political institutions. This course and HIST 374 provide a complete survey of Canadian history and a foundation for senior and advanced courses in this field.

HIST 374

A survey of the efforts to create a nation-state that controlled the northern half of the North American continent. The National Policy. The nature of a Canadian identity. Canada among the community of nations. Threats to the country's survival posed by regionalism, separatism, and the influence of the United States.