Mar 19, 2024  
Graduate Record 2005-2006 
    
Graduate Record 2005-2006 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

History


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Degree Requirements


Master of Arts


Candidates for the degree of Master of Arts in History are required to pass eight semester courses (24 credits including work in seminars and colloquia) and, for those outside United States and European history, an oral examination of one hour covering two special fields of history, and write a thesis. Candidates must also meet the foreign language requirement. This is usually done by showing at least two years (or the equivalent) of satisfactory work in a foreign language on the undergraduate transcript. Candidates who cannot do this must pass a proficiency-level language examination.

Doctor of Philosophy


Candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History are required to pass 18 semester courses (54 credits including seminar and colloquium requirements), a set of written exams, and a two hour general oral examination covering one major field, a special field within the major field, and a special field outside the major field. This examination must be taken after the colloquium requirement has been met, after the written exams have been passed, and after at least one mastery-level foreign language examination has been passed.

All candidates must demonstrate a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language. Reading knowledge of a second foreign language is regularly required in most non-American fields, and a third or even fourth language may be necessary in certain fields.

After submission of the dissertation, a final oral examination is given in which the candidate must defend the dissertation.

All fields of study are chosen in consultation with the major professor. At least 15 credits must be in topical history research seminars and colloquia, including at least two such seminars beyond the required seminar work of the first-year program. Candidates are also required to present three credits in a related field, in a department other than history, selected with the approval of the major professor.

Program in Legal History


The history department, in cooperation with the School of Law, enables students to develop special competency in American legal history and in English legal history. For the M.A. degree students must offer at least one field in legal history in the M.A. oral examination. For the Ph.D. two special fields in legal history are required. A joint committee of the faculty in history and in law administers the program. Admission to the program is through the usual procedures of admission to the Department of History.

Historical Editing


The history department offers courses which enable students to develop competency in historical editing while studying for the M.A. or Ph.D. degree. Application is through the usual procedures toward admission to the Department of History.

Course Descriptions


Graduate Courses in the history department fall into four groups, each demarcated by a different first digit. Courses in the 500 and 700 range are colloquia; that is, they are built around reading and group discussion on a weekly basis and writing assignments focused on the reading of secondary works. The 500-level colloquia combine advanced undergraduates and graduate students; they carry full graduate credit. Courses carrying a 700 number and above are for graduate students only. Courses in the 800 range are seminars; that is, they assume some familiarity with the field and involve the writing of a substantial work of primary research on a specific topic. Courses in the 900 range are independent study, designed to permit students to explore fields in which courses are not offered, prepare for comprehensive examinations, or work on their theses or dissertations. Students should discuss enrollment in any of these courses with the instructor beforehand, since specific skills and prior course work are often necessary.

European History


General History


United States History


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