Monash University’s history program is one of the largest in the country and has an excellent reputation both within Australia and internationally. It includes internationally recognized scholars in the fields of American History, Asian History, Australian History, European History, Global History, Medieval & Renaissance History and Modern History. For a list of recent publications by some of these researchers, see here. The History program includes academics based in SOPHIS but also the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, Monash Indigenous Centre and the National Centre for Australian Studies.
Because we are a large program, we are able to offer a wide range of units. At any one time, about twenty different units are on offer covering a wide range of periods, areas and approaches. These include units on the Renaissance, the Vietnam War, the history of mercenaries, Twentieth-century America, Australian aboriginal history, the history of sexuality and many others. In addition, History students are able to complete units not only in Australia but also in Monash’s overseas campuses, such as Monash Prato.
Why study History?History is not simply about dates and facts. Rather it is about new ways to interpret and make sense of the past. We cannot understand the world we live in today without considering what has come before. History tells us where we came from, who we are and gives us in insight into the future. It is also, quite simply, one of the most exciting disciplines to study at university. History reaches broadly into different aspects of the human experience and considers societies and civilizations across the globe.
History teaches you about the world but it also provides you with a set of skills that are broadly transferable to a wide variety of careers. History students learn how to identify key issues, find relevant data, conduct detailed research, develop persuasive arguments and present their ideas in a logical and clear fashion. Whatever profession you wish to pursue, you will find that employers value the skills historical training provides.
Latest News
The School of History has made new appointments in the following areas: The Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology has appointed Dr Scott Dunbar to a three year Lectureship beginning in July 2013. Dunbar is currently an Assistant Professor of Global Issues at the UPEI, Canada. He possesses a completed interdisciplinary doctorate in religion and ... Read more
Fellowship Applications - Applications are now invited for Australian European University Institute Fellowships which provide the opportunity to carry out research at the European University Institute in Florence – the high profile research institute established by the Member States of the founding European Communities in 1972. A six-month Postdoctoral Fellowship will be offered for the period ... Read more
SOPHIS has announced its second and third year History offerings for 2013. These include two new units, ATS 2/3932 Struggles for justice: The history of rights and ATS 2/3933 The meaning of things: Writing cultural history, that are being offered for the first time. First year units like Contemporary Worlds, Medieval Europe and Nations at ... Read more
More News
The latest Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) results released last week had some excellent news for Arts, and SOPHIS. First piloted in 2009, ERA assesses research quality within Australia’s higher education institutions. It uses a combination of indicators and expert review by committees comprising of experienced, internationally-recognised experts. This year the Arts Faculty, and in particular History ... Read more- Congratulations to SOPHIS staff members Rachel Stevens and Tim Verhoeven. Both were awarded the Faculty Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning at the 2012 Arts Faculty Teaching Awards and Citations. The citation is awarded to staff who in 2012 demonstrated superior performance in the promotion of student learning. Congratulations also to Andrew Singleton (School of Political and ... Read more
Aftermath: Sites and Sources of History and Memory Monash University, Melbourne, Australia 6-7 August 2013 Hosted by the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation in partnership with the History Program at Monash Universityand the University of Warwick Keynote Speakers Include: Professor Hasia Diner, New York University; Professor Ben F. Kiernan, Yale University Call for Papers: The field of Holocaust and Genocide Studies is at a critical juncture. Archives, testimony projects, documentation ... Read more
Alistair Thomson’s Moving Stories has been shortlisted for a NSW Premier’s Literary Award. Nominated for the The Community Relations Commission for a multicultural NSW Award, Moving Stories tells the life stories of Phyllis, Gwen, Joan and Dorothy, illuminating the forgotten history of women’s lives before the advent of feminism. As housewives, working mothers and adventurous travellers, these women ... Read more
Congratulations to Ernest Koh and Associate Professor Peter Howard, honoured for outstanding teaching at last week’s Monash awards ceremony. Ernest Koh was awarded the 2012 Vice-Chancellor’s Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning – “For sustained contributions to the innovative teaching of history in multi-disciplinary settings, and the fostering of a research culture among his ... Read more![Making History landing page[1]](http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/history-studies/files/2012/10/Making-History-landing-page11-e1351571334712-150x150.jpg)
In 2011, Professor Alistair Thomson and colleagues from the History department supported Museum Victoria in developing the Making History online learning resource. This year for the first time, students taking the Making Histories unit have researched and created 3-minute digital history videos from their individual research projects. For students and staff alike this has been a ... Read more
Since its opening in October 2002, Federation Square has become the place for Melburnians and visitors to the city to meet. Over the last 10 years Federation Square has developed into the new centre of the city and a natural place for Melburnians to come together to have fun, watch major social and sporting events and ... Read more
