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The underlying purpose of studying history is to help prepare students for life and to promote a life-long love of learning. The basic aim of history is to teach students how to think for themselves, to analyse fairly the works of others and to improve their oral and written powers of expression. History provides a methodology for research and critical thinking which is widely applicable in most professions and walks of life. History is also an ideal discipline to acquaint students with important concepts, events and people. In short, it forms the basis of a sound education. When systematically studied, history promotes a depth of understanding of ourselves and other — it heightens literacy, deepens global understanding, develops numeracy, and enhances our aesthetic and moral awareness.
The Laurier History department offers a well-structured but flexible program designed to assure a breadth and depth of learning that should help students adapt to the rapidly changing modern world. The undergraduate offerings of the history department are organized according to the student's year of study. Each year has its own academic objectives, and each year builds on the preceding year, and advances the student toward the knowledge and skills required for the succeeding year.
Laurier History graduates possess:
The Ancient Studies program examines early world civilizations. Through the study of history, politics, economics, literature, philosophy, religion and art, you will learn how these civilizations laid some of the foundations of today’s world.
Graduates of this program will be well prepared for careers in the law, teaching, the fine arts and business as well as for graduate study in a wide range of disciplines. Individual courses as well as the joint program will be of particular interest to students in English, Languages and Literatures, Political Science, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Religion and Culture, and Business and Economics.
The History department’s intersession travel courses are designed to enrich our students’ academic lives by studying history where it was made. In cooperation with Wilfrid Laurier University’s academic partners around the world the History department offers courses in Russia, France, China and Puerto Rico. Possibilities for the future include battle tours in Asia, WWII-themed courses in Europe and a course in Poland focused on the Holocaust.
Some of the past travel courses have been tied to Laurier’s innovative Residence Learning Community (RLC) program. Under this program, incoming students apply to join a community of like-minded classmates in a specific discipline. They live together in residence and often take one or more courses together. For example, members of a recent ‘Pirates’ History RLC took a first-year course on the history of pirates, and then they travelled to Puerto Rico in the spring for a travel course on the Caribbean history.
Most courses begin on Laurier's Waterloo campus with two to three weeks of lectures and readings, followed by two to three weeks of travel that also include a classroom/lecture format. The courses are designed to also appeal to other disciplines, so are not restricted to history majors. You can earn a full credit, and typically the cost includes all transportation, accommodations and meals. Full-time faculty delivers all travel courses and our many academic partnerships allow us to keep the costs down.