History

History is the study of humanity in all its dimensions. It explores the diversity of human experience, the richness of difference in ideas, culture and institutions. Historians draw out broad patterns and trends from the bewildering variety of evidence from the past. We focus on the web of human contact and confl ict in our shared world. We look into many pasts to try to understand today's world, to recognise what we share and to measure how profoundly our lives today differ and why.

History at UNSW

History at UNSW covers social, cultural, intellectual, political and military history. Teaching and research are conducted in histories of gender, ethnicity and religion
in world history. We teach across discipline boundaries into specialised studies programs, and conduct collaborative research with Languages, Film and Media Studies, Politics and International Relations. UNSW's History program is distinctive among Australian universities in pioneering Transnational history which emphasises the circulation of peoples, ideas, technologies and institutions across national boundaries since the emergence of nation states as an important phenomenon in world history.

Download the History information brochure (PDF) (893 Kb)

Careers

History graduates find careers in a wide variety of occupations including journalism, law, politics, management, scientifi c and technical positions, teaching, librarianship, banking, museum management and tourism. History also provides training essential to many areas of employment in either the public service or private enterprise.

International Opportunities

Students have the opportunity to complete an international exchange for one or two semesters as part of their degree. UNSW manages a large and active exchange program with over 180 different student exchange opportunities in 32 countries.

UNSW International Exchange

Program Information

History is offered as:

• a major or minor with the three-year Bachelor of Arts and combined degrees
• a major in the Bachelor of Social Science
• an area of study within other UNSW degree programs including Business and Science
• a fourth (honours) year 

The UNSW BA with a Major in History is structured to develop historically informed graduates who are critical, reflective and creative. In first year students are introduced to the study of world history, its major themes and processes through The Big Picture: An Introduction to World History. This course provides an overview of human experience from earliest beginnings to the mid 19th century, and is a requirement for all history students. In second session students can follow world history through The History Matrix: The Making of the Modern World, which covers the period 1850-2000. At upper levels students can study History through specific geographic regions and themes. Second year courses explore particular regions in greater depth while in third year there is greater attention to thematic and more specialised area studies. Those proceeding to a fourth (Honours) year are trained as historians by writing their own piece of history (a thesis) and participating in advanced seminars.

Program Coordinator: Associate Professor Jean Gelman Taylor

• Bachelor of Arts - 3403
• Bachelor of Arts/Education - 4055
• Bachelor of Media (Communication & Journalism) - 3429
• Bachelor of Media (Media Production) - 3428
• Bachelor of Media (Screen & Sound) - 3433
• Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Arts - 3427
• Bachelor of Science - 3970
• Bachelor of Social Science - 3420
• Combined Programs
• Commerce (International) - 3538
• Commerce (Liberal Studies) - 3539

2010 Courses