History

The study of History at York University is fueled by the passionate interests of our professors and the imagination and curiosity of our students: the history of war and nationalism, aboriginal societies, world histories, the Holocaust, patterns of settlement and migration in Canada and the US, politics and revolution, music, superstition, medieval law, the Japanese samurai culture, labour and trade unions and women studies – to name just a few topics.

We work hard to foster your success by providing academic support for our undergraduates at the History Help and Mentorship Centre, offering online resources such as videotaped lectures and resources, and the opportunity to get involved with the Active History website and the Greek-Canadian History Project. The History program also offers internships with museums and cultural organizations.

You’ll learn to consider multiple points of view and changing global contexts. History also offers a unique education in the curation of content, teaching you how to collect, evaluate and arrange a variety of sources into persuasive arguments and narratives – all skills that translate with ease to the digital world. By interpreting the past, you will better understand yourself and, as Lund says, those who know history can help others understand themselves in the present and shape events for the future.

Discover how a BA in History prepares you for a successful career.

 

Careers with a History degree


Career Options

History graduates go on to pursue careers in a variety of fields. While the most common careers have traditionally been teacher and lawyer, historians also work in government, non-profit and corporate positions, including as heritage coordinators, genealogical researchers, foreign service workers, community development coordinators, documentary editors, journalists and video game writers.

While this is not a complete list, it offers a starting point to researching options, including careers in education, public history, academia, and jobs in the media and arts. For more details, visit the Canadian History Association and the American Historical Association – both have career sections on their websites.

Career Resources

Check out the Career Centre for a comprehensive description of career options with a History degree, as well as the Department of History. You may also want to do some additional research on the TalentEgg website.