481 BA History, bachelor

Target Group and Admission Requirements

This study programme is suitable for all who are interested in the historical premises which have resulted in today’s social conditions. These premises can be traced to various societies and cultures, and the Bachelor’s study programme will provide an opportunity to view the past from many different angles and to focus on different themes and periods. The study programme includes two main approaches: a general historical approach and the history of ideas. For more information on the choice of courses, see below.

Aim of the Programme

A Bachelor’s degree in history provides a detailed understanding of society, culture and thought in a historical perspective. The study programme may be applied to many fields of endeavour, such as teaching, journalism/mass-media, cultural activities, museum and archive work and procedures in public and private administration. The study programme allows 80 or more ECTS credits for specialisation in either history or the history of ideas.

Learning outcome

By the end of the study programme a candidate with a Bachelor’s degree in History will have achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate has:

  • An overview of the key developments in world, European, and Norwegian history
  • Knowledge of historical events and periodization of them within a chronological framework
  • Detailed knowledge of one or more specific historical themes
  • Knowledge and understanding of the methodologies used in various fields of history
  • Understanding of historical research debates

Skills

The candidate is able to:

  • Criticize, comment or edit texts and documents in accordance with the general guidelines of criticism for the discipline of history
  • Communicate verbally about the subject through its terminologies and techniques
  • Define a field of research that is likely to contribute to historiographical knowledge and debate
  • Analyze historical data, sources and literature, and draw independent conclusions from such material
  • Organize complex historical information in a logically consistent manner
  • Use information and search tools in conjunction with bibliographical material, archival material and electronic references

General competence

The candidate:

  • Has the ability to communicate the subject material orally and in writing to both the general public and within professional contexts
  • Has the ability to work independently with a given topic and question
  • Is aware of, and has the ability to apply, knowledge, techniques and perspectives from other disciplines
  • Has the ability to engage with new problem areas and analyze issues from several perspectives
  • Is aware of, and has respect for, perspectives arising from other national and cultural origins
  • Is critically aware of the relationships between contemporary events and processes and the past
  • The study programme provides the necessary academic foundation for teaching in schools (Years 8 - 10) and at the upper secondary level

Curriculum and structure


Bachelor’s degree in History, with specialisation in historical topics; an example of the combination of courses that may be chosen. Please note that the subjects offered may vary from year to year.
Code Course title Credits O/V *) Credits pr. semester
  S1(A) S2(V) S3(A) S4(V) S5(A) S6(V)
3541 World history before 1800 15.00 O 15          
3543 Norwegian history before 1800 15.00 O 15          
3542 World history after 1800 15.00 O   15        
3544 Norwegian history after 1800 15.00 O   15        
3524 Examen Philosophicum (Foundation Course) 10.00 O     10      
3509N Political Culture, Norms and Social
Control in the Nordic Region 1500-1800
10.00 O     10      
3514N HIS-2: Nordic Countries after 1740:
Community and Fragmentation
10.00 O     10      
3508N Overview of Nordic History 10.00 O     10      
3517 Bachelor’s Thesis 10.00 V       10    
3525 Examen Facultatum (preparatory
examination)
10.00 O       10    
xxxx Elective Course 2008/2009 10.00 V       10    
3363N From Antiquity to the 1600s 15.00 V         15  
3364N The Age of Enlightenment 15.00 V         15 15
3365N The Romantic Age 15.00 V         15 15
3366N Modernity 15.00 V           15
Total: 30 30 30 30 30 30
*) O - Mandatory course, V - Optional course

It is expected that the introductory course in philosophy (Examen philosophicum) and the faculty-specific preparatory course (Examen facultatum) will be taken during the first three semesters.

Choice of specialisation in History: At least 80 of the 180 ECTS credits must consist of subjects within History, and Examen philosophicum and Examen facultatum represent 20 ECTS credits (10 ECTS credits each). Students may also extend the History courses to 90 ECTS credits. The remaining 80 (or 70) ECTS credits may be chosen from the courses in the following study programmes: History of Ideas, Norwegian or English, or other courses at the Department.

Please note that it is possible to take the courses in a different order than the one shown in the table above.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The instruction in the study programme will be given in the form of lectures and seminars. In the seminars, the syllabus literature will be discussed in detail. Students may be required to submit individual written semester assignments or meet other requirements, including obligatory supervision or other requirements with regard to participation.

Assessment Methods

All the courses will include a final written examination. In order to be permitted to take the final examination students must have submitted semester assignments in advance, and met any other mandatory requirements by the specified date. For more information, please refer to the individual course descriptions.


Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean

Publisert av / forfatter Kristin Midtbø <kristin.midtboSPAMFILTER@hit.no> - 27/11/2015