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History and Classical Studies

History and Classical Studies

Location

Location

  • Administrative Service Centre II
  • Stephen Leacock Building, Room 712
  • 855 Sherbrooke Street West
  • Montreal QC H3A 2T7
  • Telephone: 514-396-1496
  • Fax: 514-398-7476
  • Email: undergrad.hcs [at] mcgill.ca
  • Websites: History: mcgill.ca/history; Classical Studies: mcgill.ca/classics

About History and Classical Studies

About History and Classical Studies

About History

About History

The Department offers a wide variety of history courses on diverse cultures and societies around the world from antiquity to contemporary times, as well as covering thematic subjects such as historical theory and methodology, history and sexuality, imperialism and colonialism, histories of science, environmental history, and the history of thought and ideas. Exploring the past provides a context for understanding the present. Indeed, history is a window onto the full diversity of human experience. The study of history also encourages the development of transferable skills in research, writing, and critical thinking, and lays the foundation for careers in a variety of professions, including law, business, journalism, academia, finance, government, the arts, science, education, and medicine.

Programs in History

Programs in History

The Department offers four kinds of undergraduate programs:

  • Minor Concentration
  • Major Concentration
  • Honours
  • Joint Honours Component (combined with another component from a second discipline)

In all four of our programs, students are required to take a minimum number of courses at the advanced level in order to build research skills and encourage depth. Additionally, students in the major, honours, and joint honours programs are expected to achieve breadth and diversity in their studies. Please visit the Program website for more details.

Students are encouraged to meet regularly with a departmental advisor to work out a program that suits their specific needs while making sure all program requirements are fulfilled.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credits may not be included in the overall credit requirement for History programs, but may be considered as having met prerequisites for an upper-level course—please discuss with the professor of an upper-level course requiring the prerequisite, or with your academic program advisor.

About Classics

About Classics

Classical Studies provides an in-depth study of the languages, literature, history, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. Students may complete an undergraduate program in Classics by selecting from Classics courses (CLAS), History courses (HIST) that focus on ancient Greece or Rome, as well as courses in several related disciplines in the Faculty of Arts such as Philosophy, English, and Art History. Classical Studies is inherently interdisciplinary.

A complete list of Classics, Ancient History, and related courses is found on the Department's website.

The Department offers four kinds of undergraduate degrees:

  • Minor Concentration
  • Major Concentration
  • Honours
  • Joint Honours Component (combined with another component from a second discipline)

The Minor Concentration and Major Concentration provide a useful complement for students in the arts and sciences. The Joint Honours and Honours degrees are designed to train students who wish to make Classics a basis for academic careers. They also offer students the prospect of favourable consideration for graduate and other professional schools.

About South Asian Studies

About South Asian Studies

The Minor Concentration in South Asian Studies – collaboratively offered by the Departments of Anthropology, English, History and Classical Studies, Political Science, and Sociology, as well as the Institute of Islamic Studies and the School of Religious Studies – offers breadth and depth on the history, literature, languages, politics, religions, and cultures of South Asia.

The minor concentration offers two streams:

  • Culture and Civilization; and
  • Languages (e.g., Persian, Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Urdu-Hindi).

The Culture and Civilization stream allows students to explore their interests in Southern Asia (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan), through humanities and social science classes while the Languages stream permits combined study of two South Asian languages (at introductory and intermediate levels) or one South Asian language in depth.

For further details, please contact the advisor for the Minor Concentration in South Asian Studies, Prof. Andrea Farran (andrea.farran [at] mcgill.ca).

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2024-2025 (last updated Mar. 15, 2024) (disclaimer)

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration History (18 credits)

The Minor Concentration History introduces students to the study of diverse cultures and societies around the world from antiquity to contemporary times. It is an excellent complement to the major concentrations offered in the Faculty of Arts. The Minor Concentration History is expandable to a Major Concentration History. ...

For more information, see Minor Concentration History (18 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Major Concentration History (36 credits)

The Major Concentration History is a highly flexible program that emphasizes both breadth and depth, while introducing students to different historical theories and methodologies. Students select from a wide variety of courses on diverse cultures and societies around the world from antiquity to contemporary times, and also on thematic subjects such history and...

For more information, see Major Concentration History (36 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Honours History (54 credits)

The Honours History program provides in-depth training, with emphasis on historical methods and research, while allowing students flexibility in choosing courses that match their academic needs and interests. It is designed especially for students who anticipate pursuing graduate studies in history or related disciplines. ...

For more information, see Honours History (54 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Joint Honours Component History (36 credits)

Students wishing to study at the Honours level in two disciplines can combine Joint Honours program components in any two Arts disciplines. The Joint Honours Component History is a flexible program that emphasizes breadth, depth as well as historical methods and research. ...

For more information, see Joint Honours Component History (36 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration Classics (18 credits)

The Minor Concentration in Classical Studies introduces students to the linguistic, historical and cultural dimensions of Greece and Rome. The Minor Concentration can be expanded to a Major Concentration in Classics.

For more information, see Minor Concentration Classics (18 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Major Concentration Classics (36 credits)

The Major Concentration in Classical Studies is an in-depth study of ancient Greece and Rome. Two Streams are offered. The Classical Languages stream emphasizes ancient Greek and Latin language, requiring advanced coursework in one or both languages. The Classical Studies stream provides a broad foundation in ancient languages and Greek and Roman literature while...

For more information, see Major Concentration Classics (36 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Honours Classics (54 credits)

The Honours Classics program is designed for students who plan to pursue graduate studies in Classics or related discipline. The program is highly interdisciplinary. It emphasizes the study of ancient Greek and Latin, requiring proficiency in both languages and advanced coursework in at least one, combined with a strong foundation in ancient history, literature and...

For more information, see Honours Classics (54 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Joint Honours Component Classics (36 credits)

Students wishing to study at the Honours level in two disciplines can combine Joint Honours program components in any two Arts disciplines. For a list of available Joint Honours programs, see "Overview of Programs Offered" and "Joint Honours Programs". The Joint Honours Component Classics emphasizes the study of ancient Greek and Latin: proficiency in both...

For more information, see Joint Honours Component Classics (36 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration South Asian Studies (18 credits)

The B.A.: Minor Concentration in South Asian Studies offers breadth and depth on the history, literature, languages, politics, religions, cultures, and societies of South Asia. The minor concentration is divided into two streams, "Culture and Civilization" and "Languages." An interdisciplinary curriculum is collaboratively offered by the Department of Anthropology,...

For more information, see Minor Concentration South Asian Studies (18 credits).

Faculty of Arts—2024-2025 (last updated Mar. 15, 2024) (disclaimer)
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