History

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Suppose you had no memory. You would have no idea who you are or where you came from. You would have no idea what to do, where to go, how to behave. A society without history is like a person with no memory. Not knowing how we got to where we are, we would have no idea where we might be going.

Studying history introduces you to the way we make the collective memory of the human race. This is not so easy as memory can play tricks. Sorting out the true from the false requires careful sifting of evidence. It is even more difficult to uncover the deep causes of events like the French Revolution, the First World War or the fall of Communism. The study of history at university level introduces you to the complexities involved in these exciting pursuits.

Writing history requires you to use your imagination as well as your reason. It also pits your interpretation against those reached by other students. So there are lots of arguments, lots of shared discoveries, lots of fun.

Course Outline

History may be studied as a major within the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies). This includes combined courses which include these degrees. You may be able to study individual History units within other degrees.

An enquiring, critical mind; an interest in human beings and their problems; a taste for reading; and a capacity to write clear English are useful attributes for studying History. 

Level 1 
There are several level 1 History units which you can study.  You can choose to study only one of the units if you wish, however to complete a major in History you will need to complete two level 1 History units (or other level 1 units deemed appropriate by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences).

Level 1 topics include the History of Medieval and Modern Europe, and Asia, Africa and the Pacific.

Level 2 and 3
A wide and exciting range of units from the Crusades and Tudor England to Australian History, Modern Asia, Colonial History, European History and African/American History are available. The range of units changes from year to year so as to give you the fullest possible choice.

There are also thematic units offered: for instance you can study urban history, gender history or the history of a particular social theme.

In addition to introducing you to ‘what happened in the past’, our history subjects emphasise the acquisition of skills in critical analysis, research and argumentation.

History combines well with most other Arts subjects, such as English, politics, philosophy, anthropology, geography and language studies—or with economics. Students majoring in these subjects often find it valuable to include units of history in their courses of study.

Duration

Bachelor of Arts: 3 years full time, up to 10 years part time
Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies): 3 years full time, up to 10 years part time

Career Opportunities

Some of the most successful students may achieve an ambition to become professional historians, however most History graduates find careers in which they can use their historical skills more widely.

History provides a good training in research, in critical analysis and in written communication and graduates find careers where these skills and techniques are in demand—in teaching, journalism, librarianship, the commonwealth and state public service (including museum work), business administration, and as research officers for both public and private enterprises. Some recent employers include the Department of Defence, WA Museum, Wheatbelt Development Commission, Ministry of Justice and the Water Corporation.