COURSE CURRICULUM

The four-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History at Cape Breton University is designed to give students a broad and in-depth understanding of historical developments across different regions, time periods, and themes, with a strong focus on critical thinking, research, and interpretation of the past. In the first year, students take introductory history courses along with general arts electives, building foundational skills in writing, analysis, and understanding historical methods. The second year introduces more specialized courses that explore major historical periods and themes such as Indigenous history, Canadian history, Atlantic Canadian heritage, and world civilizations, helping students develop a wider historical perspective. In the third year, students engage in advanced courses that focus on thematic and regional studies, including political, social, cultural, and economic history, while also strengthening research and source analysis skills through more intensive assignments and seminars. In the fourth year, the curriculum emphasizes higher-level seminars, independent research projects, and capstone-style coursework, allowing students to conduct original historical research and engage deeply with specific topics of interest under faculty guidance. Across all four years, students build strong abilities in critical thinking, communication, and evidence-based analysis. The program prepares graduates for careers in education, public history, archives, law, journalism, heritage management, and other fields requiring strong analytical and research skills.