Why History?
History is the study of evidence of past ideas, objects, and actions. In an effort to make sense of such a massive array of material, historians try to understand the past with the aid of chronologies and themes. New evidence and new interests force us to ask new questions about the past. History, therefore, is a living subject - one that is constantly being redefined and reassessed.
Once primarily about men, war and politics, the discipline of History now includes topics relating to gender and aboriginal issues; environmental concerns; family and childhood constructs; and public (applied) history policies. Have a look at the page on the Benton family, for some ideas on how we approach our discipline in the History programme at Vancouver Island University.
Why study History at Vancouver Island University?
The Department of History at VIU offers a balanced programme designed to prepare students for a variety of careers. We focus on North America, Latin America, China and Europe in the nineteenth and twentieth century. Within these general parameters, we offer courses in five areas or fields of study - namely, Canada, Modern Europe, the United States, Popular Culture, and Comparative History.
Members of the History department are committed to the craft of teaching. Our classes are relatively small and professors are accessible to students. Members of our department engage in scholarly research and our courses build on their expertise. We have close ties with the community archives and local heritage organizations.
Skill development is a priority in our department. We provide training in logical thought and the evaluation of evidence, along with training in historical methods and research techniques. We teach effective written communication skills. We encourage applied skills and innovative approaches to the practice of History.