On an individual level, students of history are better able to appreciate the shaping of the forces and ideas which affect their lives. The methodology of history trains students in locating and evaluating information, developing an ability rigorously to argue a case and critically to interpret their place in the world. History subjects complement subjects in Politics, Law, Economics, Sociology, English, Creative Arts, Languages or other courses. Students may choose to major in History. The History discipline in the History and Politics Program offers subjects in social history, the social and political consequences of war, feminist history, revolution and colonialism, representation and history, world history and cultural and labour history.
Regional emphasis lies on Australia, Europe, South East Asia and the Americas.
Within their major, students may concentrate on Australian, Southeast Asian or European history, or choose a variety of subjects offered by the Program. As students progress through the levels of a History major, the subjects offered become more sophisticated in approach. 300 level subjects place greater emphasis on comparative and theoretical aspects of the discipline and encourage students to undertake original research. Entry into any 200 level history subject requires a pass in at least one of the 100 level subjects. Entry into any 300 level subject requires 20 credit points of history, at least 8 of which must be at 200 level.