INTRODUCTION TO THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of History was established at the inception of the university as one of the most important and key disciplines of the faculty. Many graduates produced by the department have made significant contributions to the development efforts of the country as well as to archaeological and historical research in the Southern Region of Sri Lanka.

At the national level, the department is anticipated to take up the challenge of filling the gaps in historical and archaeological research, investigations and explorations in the Southern Region and the Ancient Ruhuna. The Department of Archaeology under the Ministry of Heritage and many other institutions in the field seek expertise from the department in various types of research on Sri Lanka’s history.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDY PROGRAMMES

The Department of History offers study programmes leading to Bachelor of Arts General and Special Degrees in History and Archeology. The History deals with the study of change and development of the human past from the origin of writing around 4000 B.C., while the Archeology studies the human past right from the origin of the human kind about three to four million years ago.

The Department has designed foundation courses in History to train a beginner to have a general understanding of the evolution of the human species and the historical foundations of the emergence and expansion of the ancient civilizations. The General and Special Degree Programmes are orientated to making the student aware of the major historical changes and developments of the world by giving him/her a clear knowledge and understanding of the economic, political and socio-cultural developments in his/her own country from ancient to modem times.

Under Archaeology programmes, the courses are designed to give the student a deep and clear understanding of all aspects of the discipline by focusing his/her attention on the rapid changes in world archaeology and major theoretical and methodological advancements in the subject, while special emphasis will be given to the study of the Sri Lankan culture right from the earliest human occupancy of the island.