Thinking about a Combined Program in History?

Nearly half of our History majors do a combined program, choosing to combine History with another discipline such as English, Classical Civilization, Political Science, Women’s Studies, or Philosophy, among others. Indeed, History students may combine their degree with any program in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (FAHSS).

The total number of courses you would need to take is the same as for an Honours BA: 40. Instead of taking 18 History courses which you would need for a single Honours program, you would take 16 History courses for a combined program. These would include:

  • 43-110 Past to Present: Understanding History
  • 43-111 Making History: Methods and Practices
  • 43-303 Schools of Historical Thought

You would also need to take one course from a list of offerings that deal with topics outside the Americas and Europe, or a time period before 1800.

After that, you would take twelve more History courses, with a certain number of them being at the second, third and fourth-year levels.

Besides the History courses, you would need to take a similar number of courses in the other discipline. Each program has its own requirements for a combined degree, and the best place to look for more detailed lists is the Undergraduate Calendar. Type the name (English Program or Political Science Program or whatever) into the search window, and you should find a list of the different programs offered, including the Combined Honours. That will tell you exactly how many courses you need, and which ones. To give you a general idea, we have listed some general information on some of the more popular combined programs for History students.

You would need 17 English courses, including 26-120, 26-210 and 26-211, and fourteen other English courses at the 200, 300 and 400-level. Check the calendar for specifics.

You would need 16 courses, including courses in Classical Civilization, Greek and Roman History, Greek or Latin Language and Literature, Art and Archeology, Literature, and Mythology and Religion. Check the calendar for specifics (note: Classical Civilization is part of the larger Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures).

You would need 15 courses, including 45-100, 45-130, 43-160, 43-275 and one of 45-251 or 252, and ten other Political Science courses (three of which must be at the 400-level). Check the calendar for specifics.

You would need 16 courses, including 53-100, one other 100-level Women’s Studies course, and fourteen other Women’s Studies or Women-Emphasis courses at the 200, 300 and 400-level. Check the calendar for specifics.

In addition to the programs listed above, a History major could also do a combined program in any of the following: Communication, Media and Film, Dramatic Art, English Literature and Creative Writing, French Studies, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Labour Studies, Anthropology, Psychology, Family and Social Relations, Sociology, Criminology, Social Justice, Diaspora Studies, Music, Visual Arts.

All FASS students must take the Foundations of Academic Writing courses, 01-150 and 01-151.

Your option courses would need to include:

  • Two courses in Arts (e.g. English, Philosophy, or any course code that starts with 01)
  • Two courses from Languages or Science
  • Two courses from any area of study, excluding Social Sciences

A minor is six courses in a discipline. You will find a list of all possible minors as well as the specific requirements in the Undergraduate Calendar. In History, a minor consists of six History courses, only one of which may be a 100-level, and two must be at the 300-level or higher.

More questions?

You are welcome to contact the Department of History:
519-253-3000, Ext. 2318
​history@uwindsor.ca