Program overview
The World History program isn't about memorizing dates and events—it's about understanding how human civilization got to where it is today. You'll study the big picture from ancient Egypt and Rome to modern international relations, and also dive deep into specific regions like Southeast Asia, the Middle East, or Europe. Core courses include Ancient World History, Modern World History, History of International Relations, Regional and National Histories, and Historical Theory and Methods. If you're the kind of person who asks 'why did different countries develop differently?' or 'what historical roots lie behind cultural conflicts?', this major is for you. Chinese universities have unique strengths in world history research, such as Silk Road history, Sino-foreign exchange history, and comparative East Asian civilizations. Many professors have overseas backgrounds, and courses use multilingual historical sources. It's perfect for curious students who love reading and writing and are willing to learn a second foreign language (like French, Japanese, or Arabic).