History

Our faculty study and teach a variety of fields in North American, European and World History. We have expertise in Canadian political and social history, modern and early modern European and British history, the Middle Ages, the colonial and antebellum United States, the Second World War and its aftermath, the history of genocide and war crimes trials, Russian/Soviet history, 20th century International history, and more!

The Seminar Experience at Nipissing University

Our students attend two hours of lecture and one hour of seminar per week. During the small weekly seminars students critically discuss the course material which includes historical documents. The seminar instructors also offer skills training to help students master university-level essay writing. The seminars are designed to help students get comfortable with expressing their ideas.

The History Department's Style Guide

The standard style and reference guide that students should use while writing their essays.

The Canadian Historical Association / La Société historique du Canada

Founded in 1922, the Canadian Historical Association / La Société historique du Canada is a bilingual not-for-profit and charitable association devoted to fostering the scholarly study and communication of history in Canada. It is the largest of its kind in the country.

The Association seeks to encourage the integration of historical knowledge and perspectives in both the scholarly and public spheres, to ensure the accessibility of historical resources, and to defend the rights and freedoms of professional and emerging historians in the pursuit of historical inquiry.

Cradling the Heart: An Anishnabek Creation Story (Video)

Terry Dokis is a citizen of Dokis First Nation with kinship connections to Nipissing First Nation. Over more than twenty-five years, Terry created, sustained, and taught in the Indigenous Studies program at Nipissing University. In 2018, just after he retired Terry generously agreed to work with Katrina Srigley and Greg Foster to gift us a version of the Nishnaabeg Creation Story he carries, Cradling the Heart: an Anishinabek Creation Story is the result.

The Nipissing Warriors Documentary (Video)

Nipissing University is proud to present this exclusive release of the documentary movie Warriors. Emerging from the Nipissing First Nation Culture and Heritage history preservation project, the movie was jointly produced by Dr. Katrina Srigley, professor of History; and Glenna Beaucage, Nipissing First Nation culture and heritage manager, in association with Regan Pictures.

Facilities

Nipissing's campus is located on a stunning 291 hectares of Canadian Shield forest. With our focus on student-centred living and learning, you will feel a sense of community the moment you step on campus.

The Harris Learning Library

The Harris Learning Library was completed in 2011 and provides 56,000 square feet of study space with natural light and a modern award-winning design. The new library features expanded print collections, a learning commons, an adaptive technology area, and collaborative work spaces.

Scholarships, awards, and bursaries for students in the History program

History Seminar Series

Nipissing University’s History department hosts a seminars series, featuring panel discussions, debates and presentations.

Nipissing University History Society (NUHS)

The Nipissing University History Society (NUHS) is for History students and supporters. We are an academically-based group that operates with the support of the History Department. Our goal is to offer new opportunities for History students by connecting them with faculty, graduate information, academic showcases, and social events.

“I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.” Confucius

Experiential learning is an effective medium that enhances and reinforces classroom learning. In addition, skills and competencies in the areas of communication, teamwork, analysis, work ethic, and problem solving are all learning outcomes that assist with finding the right career path for you.

Third and fourth year Arts and Science Students will be interested in our 3 credit course, UNIV 3006 Experiential Learning for Arts and Science Students. Within this course, academic assignments and at least 60 hours of placement in the community within a field that is related to your course of study is offered.

Leadership and Community Engagement

If you are eager to get involved beyond the classroom, take part in the annual Undergraduate Research Conference, which gives you the opportunity to present your work to peers, professors, and family members. You may also have opportunity to work as a Research Assistant to help a professor conduct research and gain valuable experience at the same time.

Record of Student Development

Involvement and experiential learning lead to more personal and academic success by connecting classroom learning to real world experience. Volunteer on your campus and within the community and be officially recognized for all that you do. The Record of Student Development (RSD) documents that you have completed a series of involvement outcomes that all employers are looking for. Achieving all the competencies associated with the RSD will help you communicate the depth of your experiences as you apply to career opportunities.

Employers are looking for people with the following proven abilities:

• Analytical Skills
• Communication skills
• Problem-Solving skills
• Strong Work Ethic
• Teamwork

To register and see the full list of RSD competencies visit www.nipissingu.ca/rsd

Student Union

Students attending Nipissing University in North Bay and long distance students are members of the Nipissing University Student Union. Our organization strives to represent students democratically, provide a communication framework, and lobby for legislative change on issues that affect students.

Athletics

Exercise and healthy competition always help to clear the mind.

INTRAMURAL SPORTS

Nipissing’s Athletics Department offers a wide range of intramural activities to keep you on your game

LAKERS CLUB SPORTS

Club sports are available to all Nipissing students and are both recreational and competitive.

VARSITY SPORTS

Go Lakers! Our varsity athletes always bring their “A” game. Get your friends together and come out to cheer on your favourite teams.

STUDENT ATHLETICS CENTRE

Whether you are a gym enthusiast or a weekend warrior, Nipissing has just what you need.

Faculty Publications

The faculty in Nipissing University's History Department are active in contributing to the field of historical research. Click here to view a collection of recent publications.

With your critical thinking skills and the ability to speak and write eloquently, you will have many career options to choose from. History graduates find work in a variety of sectors of the economy, including civil service, the university sector (administration, recruitment, marketing), law, business and consulting. They find jobs in these areas because they have advanced communication and literacy skills. The ability to read, synthesize and analyze a significant body of work.

You may consider a career in teaching or you may want to follow your love of the subject of History to positions such as museum curator, biographer, politician, journalist, and genealogical and historical researcher.

Master of Arts in History

If you’ve already completed an undergraduate degree and are looking to take the next step in your education, consider our Master of Arts degree in History. The program offers four fields of concentration—International, Gender, Canadian, and European—and consists of course work and a Major Research Paper. The Master program provides training for entry into a PhD program, and as well, develops your research, writing, and presentation skills that will expand your career options in a wide range of fields, including commerce, government, heritage, and teaching. In the spring, you can participate in the annual Graduate Student Conference by presenting your Major Research Paper (MRP) proposal to an audience of peers and faculty in preparation for defense of your MRP. You will also serve as a research or teaching assistant for a faculty member. This will give you teaching experience at the university level, and includes instructing, marking, and holding office hours. While the program is typically completed within a year, it is offered in both full- and part-time studies. Learn More...

“What Can you Do with a History Degree? Many Things!”

As these profiles show, far more than you think, precisely because historical training teaches you how to think, analyze, communicate, write, organize and create. History nurtures our curiosity, our openness to new ways of understanding our world, both past and present.

The Decline of Historical Thinking

By Eric Alterman  February 4, 2019

Career and Academic Options

• Graduate Studies
• Professional School (Education, Law, MBA)
• Careers in government, journalism, archival research, genealogical services, museum work, politics, as a biographer, documentary editor, educational advisor, heritage coordinator, librarian, policy advisor, records manager.