This plan is only available to students commencing 2009 onwards

History is the study of humanity in all its dimensions. It explores the diversity of human experience, the richness of difference in ideas, culture and institutions. We look into many pasts to try to understand today’s world, to recognize what we share and to measure how profoundly our lives today differ and why. Our interests cover social, cultural, intellectual, political and military history, and we teach and conduct research in histories of gender, ethnicity and religion in world history.

UNSW’s History program is distinctive among Australian universities in pioneering Transnational history which concerns the circulation of peoples, ideas, technologies and institutions across national boundaries since the emergence of nation states as an important phenomenon in world history. History teaches clear thinking, analysis, written and oral communication skills. These attributes are the foundation of citizenship and ideal qualities for employment across a range of careers.

The ultimate aim of the UNSW BA with a Major in History is to develop historically informed graduates who are critical, reflective and creative. Specifically, a major in History seeks to:

A student who wishes to gain a major in History must complete 54 units of credit including 12 uoc at Level 1, at least 18 uoc at level 2 and at least 18 uoc at level 3 including the capstone course.

Level 1

The two history courses offered at Level 1 cover World History from the beginnings of human existence to the 20th century. They are ARTS1270 The Big Picture: Introduction to History and ARTS1271 The History Matrix. ARTS1270 is the compulsory gateway course. To fulfill the requirements at level one, students must complete:

AND EITHER

OR one of the following courses:

Courses at Level 2 focus on particular geographic regions. They apply the broad concepts and themes of World History to specific contexts and societies. Regions covered are: the Americas, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the ancient world. Thematic courses are offered in Environmental History, Jewish Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, and in world religions.

Level three courses cover in greater detail major political, economic and social transformations of the 20th century, explore specific national histories, and address key issues and debates in the study of history and ethics of researching and writing history.