The History program
We acknowledge that we live and work in the traditional territory of the Siksikaitsitapii (Blackfoot people). We also acknowledge the role the discipline of History has played in the dispossession and genocide of Indigenous peoples, here and around the world.
History isn't just the study of past events; it's the study of how our world came to be.
We are passionate about analyzing and understanding the past, and are deeply committed to our students and our community. As a small department, we take pride in getting to know our students and we are dedicated to helping them succeed.
Studying history at the University of Lethbridge plays a key role in acquiring a liberal education because of the temporal and geographical breadth of our courses. By teaching critical thinking skills, we instil an ability to both empathize with and critically evaluate peoples in the past, and to understand the ways the past shapes the present.
In addition to our regularly offered undergraduate program, our students have the opportunity to complete Independent Studies in which they research a topic of their own choosing, and Applied Studies in which they get credit for relevant work experience. And our top students may complete an Honours Thesis as a capstone to their undergraduate studies.
The department offers numerous resources to help our students succeed. And the Historical Undergraduate Society is an active and supportive club for students who share an interest in history.
Our small graduate cohort and close working relationships with other departments mean we can tailor an MA program to suit your interests, and it’s easy to get involved with research centres like the Centre for Oral History and Tradition, the Institute for Child and Youth Studies, or the Galt Museum and other community groups.
History is a versatile degree and our graduates have gone on to a wide range of careers. They are working as K-12 teachers in Canada, and ESL teachers abroad. They go to law school, library school, and graduate programs around the world. They are working in a wide range of public and private sector careers such as museums, marketing, university administration, occupational health and safety, supply chain management, and public relations. They even become small business owners, including Stone-Olafson Consulting and the Theoretically Brewing Company.