HISTORY Major Map
BACHELOR OF ARTS HONOURS (MAJOR) │ BACHELOR OF ARTS HONOURS (MEDIAL) │ BACHELOR OF ARTS (GENERAL) │ BACHELOR OF
ARTS/SCIENCE (MINOR)
Get the
Courses
You Need
Get
Relevant
Experience
1st Year
2nd Year
3rd Year
Final Year
Take HIST 121 or HIST 122 or
HIST 124 or HIST 125.
You must take a 6.0 unit second
year “core seminar” (HIST 300329) before proceeding to Upper
Level seminars in third and
fourth year. See more on core
seminars at the History
Department website.
You need the equivalent of 3 full
year upper level seminars (27
units) to fulfill your seminar
requirements.
Apply to graduate on SOLUS.
For details on plan requirements
or thresholds, see the Arts and
Science website. See an
academic counselor at the Arts
and Science Office or speak with
the Undergraduate Chair for help.
If interested in the Medieval
Studies minor, take ENGL 100
and LATN 110 or GREK 112 or
ARAB 100.
Join teams or clubs on campus
such as the Queen’s Debating
Union (QDU) and Queen’s
International Affairs Association.
See the Co-Curricular Opportunities
Directory or AMS Clubs Directory
for more ideas.
We suggest you take one full and
one half Upper Level seminar
(HIST 333-499) in fourth year.
We suggest you take one full and
one half Upper Level seminar
(HIST 333-499) in third year.
The department recommends you
take at least two 200 level
courses in second year.
Look into summer jobs by
talking to the department or
Career Services about work
through SWEP. Consider taking
more responsibility within
different extracurriculars.
Stay during the summer as an
assistant to a faculty member or
apply for an external summer
research opportunity. Contact the
History department for
information.
Think about applying to positions
in student services, the AMS, or
Apply to the Historical Internship
Program if interested.
Assess what experience you’re
lacking and fill in the gaps with
volunteering, clubs, or
internships. Investigate full-time
jobs and other opportunities
related to careers of interest.
1st Year
Volunteer at organizations like
the Queen’s Archives.
2nd Year
Final Year
Do some targeted networking
with people working in careers of
interest (with alumni, using
LinkedIn, etc.). Check out Career
Services’ networking workshops.
Consider joining professional
associations like the Heritage
Canada Association and the
Canadian Historical Association
(CHA).
media outlets like the Queen’s
Journal, CFRC and QTV.
Volunteer on or off-campus with
different community
organizations, museums, and
cultural studies groups, such as
the AMS Social Issues
Commission and the Kingston
Museum of Healthcare.
Get involved with the
Departmental
Student Council (DSC)
Get
Thinking
Globally
The Queen’s University
International Centre will be your
first stop to internationalizing
your degree. Speak to a QUIC
advisor or get involved in their
many programs, events and
training opportunities.
Get Ready
for Life
After
Graduation
Grappling with program
decisions? – go to Major Nights
from different departments or get
some help deciding by visiting
Career Services.
Is an exchange in your future?
Start thinking about where you
would like to study abroad.
Applications for a 3rd year
exchange are due in January
through the International
Programs Office. If interested,
take European History courses
(HIST 273 and HIST 287) at the
BISC castle in England.
Explore different careers of
interest by reading books in the
Career Services library, such as
Top Careers for History
Graduates, speaking to people
whose jobs interest you, or
connecting with history alumni
on LinkedIn.
Get
Connected
with Your
Community
3rd Year
Start or continue volunteering
with organizations such as the
Queen’s University Historical
Society and Queen’s Model
Parliament.
Connect with professors at events
or workshops hosted by the DSC.
Submit your work at the Inquiry
@ Queen’s Undergraduate
Conference.
Build your intercultural
competence by getting involved
with other cultures or by
practicing or improving your
language skills. Stop by QUIC
for ideas to go abroad, volunteer
at QUIC or attend one of their
events.
Prepare yourself to work in a
multi-cultural environment by
taking QUIC’s Intercultural
Competency Certificate, and start
thinking about work or further
studies abroad.
Learn about the requirements for
careers of interest– do they need
additional schooling? If so,
prepare to take the required tests
(like GMAT, LSAT).
Apply to jobs or future education,
or make plans for other
adventures. Prepare reference
letters if you’re applying to
graduate school.
Make an appointment with
Career Services or go to drop-in
advising for help with future
plans.
Attend Grad School workshops at
Career Services if interested.
Caution: *This map is meant as a guide to provide suggestions throughout your university career. The activities, resources, and careers mentioned are possibilities – you are not
restricted to them and you don’t have to follow this exact timeline. Every person (including you!) will find their own unique path through their degree at Queen’s and beyond.
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Where could I go after graduation?
Anthropology
Archaeology
Archival science
Business administration and management
Campaign organization
Communications
Community development
Corrections
Counselling
Education
Ethics
Events management & fundraising
Genealogical research
Human resources
Insurance
Intelligence analysis
International development
International relations
Journalism
Law
Library science
Management consulting
Marketing and marketing research
Medical records & research
Museum curator
Museum management
Policy analyst
Professor
Public administration
Publishing
Social work
Teaching
Technical writing
Tourism & Travel
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Urban and Regional Planning
*some careers may require additional training
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History at Queen’s
Why study History?
The History Plan will provide you with a sophisticated introduction to a variety of approaches to the past, and will hone your
analysis, discussion, research, and writing skills. You can explore such diverse areas as the Crusades, slavery and race relations,
Native history in the Americas, the Russian Revolution, the problems of 20th century Canadian unity, the economic development of
Africa, and the perception and treatment of women in North America.
What program options are there?
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Major in History - Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Medial in History - Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
General in History – Bachelor of Arts
Minor in History with Major in another subject
See the department website for course requirements.
Getting what you need to succeed in the workplace
What do employers want?
In a recent survey from the Canadian Council of Chief Executives the top 6 skills sought by employers were:
1 People skills
2 Communication skills
3 Problem-solving skills
4 Analytical abilities
5 Leadership skills
6 Industry-specific Knowledge
How do I get the skills I need?
It is important to develop a balanced skill set – many of which you will develop during your studies. To stand out from the crowd, gain experience
outside the classroom through the multitude of clubs and activities in and around Queen’s. Check out ideas in the Get Relevant Experience section
of this map.
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What can I learn studying History at Queen’s?
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Knowledge of a broad spectrum of historical events and trends
Understanding of how historians study the past
Knowledge of how political, social, economic, and cultural change occurs
Understanding of the relationship between history and current events
Oral and written communication – communicate ideas through writing and present research to a group
Analytical skills - make judgments based on available historical evidence
Research skills – synthesize large amounts of material and identify relevant information
Attention to detail – analyze texts and historical arguments
Problem solving – develop systematic procedures for investigating a problem
Resource and time management - manage multiple long-term projects
What makes ME special?
You have a unique set of skills and experiences. Take the time to think about the skills you have personally developed at Queen’s. Explaining your
strengths with compelling examples will be important for applications to employers and further education. For help, check out the Career Services
skills workshop.
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History Major Map
How to use this map
• Got
questions about careers and classes?
• Feeling a little lost or overwhelmed by choices?
• Wondering what you are “supposed” to be doing?
Use this map to plan for success in five overlapping areas of career and academic life. Each map helps you explore possibilities, set
goals and track accomplishments. To make your own custom map, use the My Major Map tool.
Don’t stress if you haven’t done all of the suggested activities. The map is not a prescription – it’s a tool for finding your own way at
Queen’s.
Support for Student Success
Aspect of Student Health
Personal and Physical Health
Socio-Cultural and Spiritual Health
Career and Professional Health
Academic and Intellectual Health
Emotional and Mental Health
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Resources
Athletics and Recreation
Health Counselling and
Disability Services
Aboriginal Student Centre
International Centre
Chaplain
Outreach Counsellor
Cross-Cultural Counsellor
Town-Gown
Career Services
AMS
International Centre
Student Academic Success
Services: Learning
Strategies and the Writing Centre
Academic Advising
Adaptive Technologies
Learning Commons
Health Counselling and
Disability Services
Aspect of Student Health
Social and Interpersonal Health
See queensu.ca/studentaffairs for details
Department of History
Faculty of Arts and Science
Watson Hall, Room 212
49 Bader Lane
613.533.2150
queensu.ca/history/
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Resources
Peer Support Centre
AMS
Rector
Residence Life
Student Experience Office
Queen’s Legal Aid