Fonds F-26 - Department of History fonds

The Department of History is one of the original Departments of the Faculty of Arts, and began to offer courses leading to a B.A. when the University opened in 1965. The Department's offerings were expanded with the addition in 1966 of M.A. and Ph.D. programs. The Department was responsible, through its Head, for the promotion of research and the development and delivery of programs in the field of history. An adjunct to this function was its responsibility to develop and provide instruction in programs offered outside the Department, including the Canadian Studies, Graduate Liberal Studies, Humanities Minor, and Women's Studies Programs. The Department also had institutional links with the Department of Spanish and Latin American Studies and the French Department. It also acted as an advisory body for the History Department of Fraser Valley University College.

The Department's activities included participation in university and external associations and committees, the organization of and participation in conferences, and involvement in the publication of International History Review.

The Department was administered by a Chair and standing committees. The Chair was the chief academic and administrative officer, responsible for all administrative, fiscal and academic activities of the Department. The number and composition of Department committees changed greatly over time. The Revised Constitution of 1969 listed seven standing committees: Salary, Tenure and Promotion; Appointments; Grievance; Library; Faculty-Student Liaison; Graduate Studies; and Undergraduate Studies. There were also a number of ad hoc committees, including the Chairman's Search Committee, the Goals and Implementation Committee, and the Nominating Committee.