First-year courses
As an Arts student, you’ll choose your major at the end of first year. You’re encouraged to explore a second major in first year to discover potential new interests.
In your Arts First courses, instead of going to a lecture hall, you and your classmates will work together to respond to an intriguing challenge. With only 25 students in each of the two first-year courses, you might address topics such as The Science of Happiness, Are We Erasing History?, Games and Culture, and Writing About Poems and Songs.
You can choose to study History through Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.
Honours Arts
September to December
- One 100-level history course
- Arts First requirement 1
- Prospective major #2
- Two electives
January to April
- One 100-level history course
- Arts First requirement 2
- Prospective major #2
- Two electives
This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.
Honours Arts and Business
September to December
January to April
This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.
After first year
About 40% of the classes you’ll take will be History courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.
You can also add additional areas of interest and expertise by including a minor (or minors) as part of your degree.
Sample upper-year courses
HIST 224 – Food, Culture, and History
HIST 239 – History of Modern China, 1911 to the Present
HIST 282 – History of Modern South Asia 1750-2000
HIST 369 – The Politics of Decolonization
Advisors are here to help
With so much flexibility, you might have a lot of questions. We're here to help! If you're applying for admission, contact our Faculty of Arts recruitment team.
Once you're a Waterloo student, you'll have access to academic advisors who can help you
- choose your courses,
- select minors and specializations,
- ensure that you're meeting the requirements for your degree, and more.
Learn more
Overview of Waterloo's History program.
