What is history? Interest in the past is almost as old as society. The past may be close at hand. We can find it in old photographs of our family and our town. The past may also be so remote that reaching it at all is a challenge. We can study cultures that ceased to exist many centuries ago and have left scant traces. But does the past matter? It matters when we are curious about ourselves and believe that our existence is rooted, not only in genes, but also in a cultural heritage.

History seeks to discover the past through the methodical study of written and oral sources, increasingly in conjunction with artifacts. History is not a science. Our collective past cannot be analyzed in terms of constant laws and processes that invariably produce the same results. Attention to history rarely prevents old mistakes from being made all over again. But history brings us face to face with real people and the things they did and suffered. Studying them from a distance, we can often understand them better than was possible at the time and better than we can understand developments in our own time.

The principal goals of the history program are to help students:

  • develop the ability to read and think critically, write effectively and originally, express ideas, and advance arguments orally
  • appreciate the variety and diversity of the past
  • find meaning in past events which inform the present
  • acquire a "common store" of culturally important knowledge
  • appreciate history as an evolving discipline which constantly generates new insights
  • understand how Canada and the world became as they are today.

For information on undergraduate programs and courses, the M.A. and Ph.D. programs in history, and on career opportunities, students can visit the History Department website or contact the department at 619 Arts Building, Tel: 306-966-8712, Fax: 306-966-5782, E-mail: history.department@usask.ca

Some courses in History are taught by faculty in the corresponding department of St. Thomas More College.  These courses or sections are designated as STM section in the online Course Offerings.

The History Undergraduate Students' Association (HUSA) is open to all students and offers a program of academic and social events. The History Department website announces departmental events and celebrates the achievements and all the news relating to History students, alumni, faculty, and friends.

Major Average

The major average in History programs includes the grades earned in:

  • All HIST and all courses listed in the Major Requirement A4.

Residency Requirements in the Major

To receive a degree in History, students must complete at least two-thirds of the following coursework (to the nearest highest multiple of 3 credit units) from the University of Saskatchewan.

  • Minimum requirements in Major Requirement A4.

See Residency for additional details.


Courses in other Departments

A maximum of 6 credit units may be chosen from the following list to be counted towards the history major or honours program, provided that these courses are taken with permission of the Undergraduate Director or Head of the Department of History. For details see the Course Descriptions section of the Course and Program Catalogue. Options are as follows: INDG 280.6, INDG 281.6, and INDG 372.3.

St. Thomas More College

Some courses in History are taught by faculty in the corresponding department of St. Thomas More College. These courses or sections are designated as STM sections in the online Course Offerings.

Programs