DESCRIPTION
The Bachelor of Arts in History focuses on the diverse cultures in our community, our country, and our world. The degree will allow students to develop the knowledge, core competencies, and skills characteristic of a traditional BA program, while preparing students to respond creatively and innovatively to a range of challenges in our community and our world. Whether they pursue a general History BA, or choose to specialize in either the Asian or Military History streams, students will be prepared for entry into the labour market through the incorporation of essential skills in all courses. They will also benefit from the commitment of our faculty to teaching excellence and from the small class sizes at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Arts degrees have high rates of student satisfaction, and the literacy and analytical skills developed in such programs will prepare students to become constructive members of society and to fit well into the workplace.
CAREERS
The versatility of the Bachelor of Arts in History will allow students to design their program of study in such a way that it will prepare them for careers or further study in areas such as business, community service, law, policing, elementary and secondary education, public history, the military, professional writing, public administration, self-employment, and social work, as well as graduate programs in History. The proposed BA, History, will provide several thematic streams which will allow students to enter traditional graduate programs, as well as more specialized programs such as those offered at the University of Victoria, University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, University of Calgary, University of New Brunswick, and the Royal Military College. The Bachelor of Arts, History, will also offer students an upper-level capstone course on the applications of history that will prepare them for leadership roles in the community and equip them with skills applicable to the fields of teaching, public history, and research.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
For admission into the B.A., History, program the following requirements have been established. Students may be admitted into the B.A., History, at year one or three. In order to enter the B.A. program at year one and enroll in required writing and quantitative courses, student must have a grade of ‘B’ in English 12 (or equivalent) and a grade of ‘C’ in principles of Math 11 (or equivalent). Students who do not qualify upon initial registration at Kwantlen will be able to apply for entry to the B.A. Qualifying Year and then enter the B.A. program, after they have successfully completed appropriate qualifying courses. Students can transfer into the B.A., History, program at any time provided seats are available and they meet entrance requirements. For entry into third year students must have completed twelve credits of History, including a minimum of six credits at the 2000-level. In addition, students must also have completed six credits of a minimum nine credit quantitative requirement. Students must also have completed twelve credits of the minimum twenty-four credit breadth requirement, in addition to their 6-credit English requirement.
CONTENT
History students begin their first year of studies with broad courses that introduce them to the political and economic history of substantial areas of the globe, as well as key themes in historical development. In the second year, they progress to more specifically defined regional courses, considering not only economic and political history, but also social and cultural developments. At the third year level, students undertake in-depth studies of particular countries, considering all aspects of historical development, often in a seminar setting. Finally, in fourth year seminars students examine more narrowly focused topics, usually thematically defined, again considering all aspects of that particular topic.
The following core requirements are to be completed for all Bachelor of Arts Degree Programs:
- Complete a total of 120 credits with a minimum of 65 credits in Arts courses (Humanities and/or Social Sciences), and 45 credits with courses numbered 3000 or higher.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00. with a minimum grade of "C" in all of the following required courses within the degree program (except where stated):
- 6-credit English writing requirement which includes ENGL 1100 and one of either ENGL 1202 or 1204.
- Minimum 9-credit quantitative requirement that must include a minimum of 3 approved quantitative courses, and of which one approved course must be taken from the Faculty of Science, Mathematics and Applied Sciences or the School of Horticulture.
- 24-credit breadth requirement consisting of a minimum of one course in at least four separate Social Science or Humanities disciplines outside of the major program area, one of which must be at the 3000-level or higher. CMNS 3100, UNIV 1100, and UNIV 4100 may also be credited towards the breadth requirement.
- Second language at the Grade 11 level (Beginner’s or Introductory Language 11 courses are ineligible to meet this requirement), or 6-credits of post-secondary language courses (in the same language). Students need only achieve a passing grade to fulfill this requirement. Students who can demonstrate competency in a second language may request an assessment to have this requirement waived.
- Required courses for the Major and/or Minor program(s).
Other completed courses may qualify to meet degree requirements. Students are encouraged to contact the BA Degree Advisor with questions about eligibility for program application or graduation.
In addition to completing the core requirements of all Kwantlen Bachelor of Arts degree programs indicated above, students will have to complete course prerequisites as necessary in order to enrol in upper levels courses in History.
Major in History without Specialization
1000 LEVEL
Students will be required to take at least six credits of second year History and at least twelve credits of lower levels History in total in order to achieve third year standing in the BA, Major in History.
2000 LEVEL
3000 LEVEL
Students will need to take eighteen credits of third year History. Courses at the 3000 level require specific course prerequisites at the 1000 and 2000 levels.
4000 LEVEL
All students must take: HIST 4400 Applications of History. Students will need to take at least nine credits of fourth year History in addition to HIST 4400.
Bachelor of Arts: Asian History Stream
Students may choose from any of the courses offered by the Department of History; however, students are strongly urged to select from among the following courses:
1000 LEVEL
Students will be required to take at least six credits of second year History and at least twelve credits of lower levels History in total in order to achieve third year standing in the BA, Major in History.
2000 LEVEL
3000 LEVEL
Students will need to take eighteen credits of third year History. Courses at the 3000 level require specific course prerequisites at the 1000 and 2000 levels.
4000 LEVEL
All students must take: HIST 4400 Applications of History. Students will need to take at least nine credits of fourth year History in addition to HIST 4400.
Bachelor of Arts: Military History Stream
Students may choose from any of the courses offered by the Department of History; however, students are strongly urged to select from among the following courses:
1000 LEVEL
Students will be required to take at least six credits of second year History and at least twelve credits of lower levels History in total in order to achieve third year standing in the BA, Major in History.
2000 LEVEL
3000 LEVEL
Students will need to take eighteen credits of third year History. Courses at the 3000 level require specific course prerequisites at the 1000 and 2000 levels.
4000 LEVEL
All students must take: HIST 4400 Applications of History. Students will need to take at least nine credits of fourth year History in addition to HIST 4400.
GRADUATION
Upon successful completion of a Major in History, students can qualify to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts – Major in History.