History

Faculty: Faculty of Arts
Degree options:  

• Bachelor of Arts, honours or major
• Any degree, minor

The Department of History at Mount Allison offers courses in a wide variety of subjects. It has a particular strength in European history, with courses also available in Canadian, American, Asian, Acadian, and women’s history.

Courses examine subjects such as:

• class and gender
• wealth and poverty
• faith and science
• self and social identity
• government and politics
• war and peace

Unlike many programs, which begin with introductory courses, history offers courses on a diverse range of topics beginning in first year.

The number and variety of courses available increases each year, with the greatest selection in third year.

In fourth year there are also opportunities for independent studies, which permit you to pursue an interest in an area not covered by other courses.

Find a list of history courses in the academic calendar — history.

Not sure about the difference between a major, a minor, and an honours?

Popular career paths for history graduates include:

• policy analyst
• public administrator
• archivist/librarian
• foreign service officer
• museum curator
• historic site information officer/site manager
• teacher/professor
• lawyer
• journalist
• conservation/restoration technician
• genealogical researcher
• arts administrator

Alumni spotlight

The Honourable Justice David G. Near ('76)
Bachelor of Arts, history
Judge, The Federal Court of Appeal

Near's legal career included working at Environment Canada where he wrote several key pieces of wildlife legislation including the Species at Risk Act and the Canada Wildlife Act.

» All Rise — The paths of three Allisonians converge at Canada's Federal Court of Appeal

“There is no better place to study history than an institution that is built upon its own stories that have been passed down throughout generations. History is not only being taught in the classrooms at Mount Allison, it is also being made with each student that passes through its campus.”   

Alexa Mutch (’19)
English and history, minor in classics
Miramichi, NB

“Don’t worry if you aren’t sure what area of history interests you right away. Initially I thought my passion for history lay in Greek classics, but over time, and thanks to a wide range of great courses, my interest shifted to Canadian and British history. This program allows you the courses, the time, and the professors to help guide your focus, so don’t be overwhelmed with the specifics.”

Hilary Morgan ('14)
History, minors in geography, international relations, and women’s and gender studies
Port Hastings, NS 

“There is a wide variety of interests among the professors, and they are very approachable. The program has helped me become confident in my abilities as a historian. History also branches well with a lot of other subjects, such as literature, art, and all the other humanities and social sciences.”

Spencer Thompson ('14)
History, minor in political science
Clyde River, PEI

History students at Mount Allison have many opportunities to extend their learning outside the classroom, including as research assistants and teaching assistants, as well as through internships and summer work with historic societies in the region.

You can also become a member of the student-run History Society.

The Department awards three annual prizes to majors or honours students:

• The David Beatty History Prize, awarded to the student graduating with the highest GPA in honours history
• The I.O.D.E. (NB Chapter) Prize, awarded to the student ranking highest in standing in British and/or Commonwealth history
• The Ian Newbould Prize in British History, awarded to the student judged best in British history

Faculty spotlight

Dr. Elaine Naylor
Associate professor, history

Research looks at boosterism and the promotion of economic development on the American frontier from the 1850’s to the 1890’s, as well as the violent expulsion of Chinese immigrants from the Puget Sound area.

» History professor looks at the reality of the American frontier in the late 1800s