Programme description for Bachelor's Programme in History (2023–2026)

Upon completion of the programme, the student shall

Knowledge

• have an overview of ancient and modern Norwegian and international history.
• understand central concepts in historical studies.
• have in-depth theoretical and real-historical knowledge in selected thematic fields.
• be familiar with terminology and central topics within the methodology of history and philosophy of science.
• better understand the present in the light of the historical development of politics, religion, economics, and culture.

Skills

• be able to apply different geographical, cultural, social, economic, and political perspectives on historical processes and events, globally, in Europe, and in Norway.
• be able to analyse historical sources and literature.
• assessing the use and misuse of history.
• be able to collect, analyse and communicate information, orally and in writing.

General competence

• be able to relate actively to the public debate.
• be able to raise issues and critically evaluate argumentation.
• be able to search for information using relevant search tools.
• have experience in the basic use of relevant data tools.
• have experience with collective problem solving.

Higher education entrance qualification.

Admission requirements for admission to the 2nd year of study:

One-year programme in history containing

• Recent history, both global and Norwegian history
• Ancient history, both global and Norwegian history

For conditional admission, the applicant cannot lack more than 30 ECTS in the current degree program.

The study of history is wide-ranging. It deals with cultural, social, economic and political conditions and how they have developed over time. Knowledge of this is important in itself, but also provides a basis for better understanding the societies we live in today – in the world, as well as nationally or locally. Why have major wars broken out? How have cultural conditions promoted or inhibited innovation processes? Why did Europe gain global dominance for a period, and what causes the global balance of power to change? What has triggered the great revolutions of history? In the discipline of history, many such questions are asked. The questions we ask and the various answers given can have great societal significance. They can affect both power and interests, and lay the foundation for – or challenge – people's identity.

The bachelor's programme in history at UiA gives you knowledge about the past. Equally important is that the programme provides training in assessing such knowledge and makes you "history aware". You will learn to raise issues and critically evaluate historical presentations and sources on which they are based. In the discipline of history, there may be sharp discussion about what is "true". The truth is often complex. The study of history makes you better able to build up arguments yourself and to distinguish between reasonable and unreasonable claims about historical contexts.

The progression of the bachelor's programme in history is partly predetermined, but you must also make your own choices. In the first year, you will take four historical overview courses and two specialization courses. One of these specialization courses, HI-136 Historical Thought and History as a Science, is compulsory for everyone taking a bachelor's degree in history. It can be taken either in the first or in one of the subsequent years of study. The specialization courses that are otherwise offered may vary somewhat year by year.

In the second year of study, ex.phil./ex.fac and three specialization courses are taken, one of which is the bachelor's thesis. In addition, a freely chosen course is taken.

In the third year of study, you can choose between several different one-year programmes or course groups. This year or part of it, you can also choose to spend at an educational institution abroad. You also have the opportunity to change during the second and third year of study.

• Lectures
• Assignment writing, individually or in groups
• Literature and thesis seminars
• Colloquium groups
• independent literature studies

Each course constitutes a unit of its own, with a limited syllabus. The programme is basically a full-time programme. In addition to teaching activities, independent work is required with the syllabus literature and with written assignments given. Emphasis is placed on students encountering a variety of teaching and assessment methods during their studies.

Relevant forms of assessment are written exams, term papers, portfolios with several assignments, and oral exams. In several of the courses, preliminary tests or other coursework requirements must be passed before the student can take the exam.

The study programme in history captures theoretical and empirical knowledge that is transboundary. The history of Norwegian, national social development is put into a broader, international, European and global perspective.

The programme requires English proficiency, and the students develop this knowledge further through work on the syllabus, since significant parts of this are English speaking. In several of the specialization courses, the language of instruction is also English. It is a goal that these will recruit visiting foreign students and that the study environment also has an international character.

40 credits in history (level 1) must be passed in order to take the bachelor's thesis in history (level 2).

The study programme in history is useful background in teaching, social analysis and information/communication work. In combination with other subjects, it can provide work in both public and private enterprises. It is a relevant basic education for students who want to become teachers, researchers, journalists or want to work in publishing houses, in the cultural sector or in national and international organizations. With regard to teaching, it will be important to take a central school subject as well.

The programme can be included as part of a course of study that qualifies for admission to practical pedagogical education (PPU-A) at UiA, and provide the opportunity for employment in upper secondary school and in years 5-10 in primary and lower secondary school. Admission to PPU requires a completed master's degree. See separate website for PPU.

Programme coordinator: Nils Martinius Justvik, nils.justvik@uia.no
Study advisor: Silje Ramfjord Lykkedrang, silje.lykkedrang@uia.no