BA History Honours

The Honours History program allows students to further enrich their understanding and practice of History. This is accomplished primarily through their participation in two specialized Honours courses. The first, History 490 (Honours Historiography and Research Methods), provides students with an in-depth examination of the diversity of theoretical approaches and research strategies employed by past and present historians. This course also sees students read a significant number of historical works designed to provide them with valuable context in preparation for the second specialized course: History 491 (Honours Thesis). Working under the direction of an agreed upon faculty supervisor, History 491 gives students the opportunity to undertake a level of research, and produce writing, that will anticipate standards at the Masters level. Honours History graduates will thus leave VIU with a skill set and a depth of knowledge that will prepare them well for graduate study and/or professional situations in the field.