Last updated: August 11, 2017 @ 02:02PM
History
Master of Arts in History
Dean
Carol U. Merriam
Faculty of Humanities
Associate Dean
Michael Carter
Faculty of Humanities
Core Faculty
Professors
Robert Dimand (Economics), Jack N. Lightstone (History), Maureen K. Lux (History) R. Andrew McDonald (History),Carmela Patrias (History), Elizabeth Sauer (English), David Schimmelpenninck (History)
Associate Professors
John Bonnett (History), Michael Driedger (History and Liberal Arts), Tami Friedman (History), Gregor Kranjc (History), Renee Lafferty-Salhany (History), Jane McLeod (History), Dan Malleck (Health Sciences), Behnaz Mirzai (History), Elizabeth Neswald (History), Olantunji Ojo (History), Daniel Samson (History), Mark Spencer (History), Maria Del Carmen Suescun Pozas (History), Elizabeth Vlossak (History), Ning Wang (History), Murray Wickett (History)
Assistant Professors
Jessica Clark (History), Colin Rose (History)
Graduate Program Director
Maureen Lux
email: mlux@brocku.ca
Program Description
The Master of Arts in History provides students with training in the various fields of history through course work and research experience. Our program has no specified fields of concentration, but offers a high-quality, general Master's degree in History consistent with the excellence and dedication of the faculty who teach it. The program emphasizes themes, rather than on regions or timeframes. Those themes are Imperialism, Gender History, Intellectual History, Revolutions, Labour Systems, Migration/Ethnicity/Identity, History of Science and Medicine, and History and Computing. The program develops students' critical analysis of both primary and secondary sources, allows them the opportunity to explore historiography and methodology, and encourages them to engage in vibrant debates in their study of history. A Co-op stream allows students to apply and to stretch their skills with work placements, while also enriching their research and communication skills.
Admission Requirements
Successful completion of an Honours Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in History with an average of not less than 75%. Students with a co-major in History or a closely-related discipline will be considered, although such students may be required to take additional undergraduate courses.
The Graduate Admissions Committee will review all applications and recommend admission for a limited number of suitable candidates.
Part-time study is available.
Degree Requirements (Standard Stream)
Most students pursue the Major Research Paper. The thesis stream is by invitation only, on the recommendation of the Graduate Committee.
All students in the major research paper stream will take Historiography and Historical Method (HIST 5F01), four half-course electives (HIST 5V00-HIST 5V79), and the major research paper (HIST 5F80). Students invited to the thesis stream will take Historiography and Historical Method (HIST 5F01), two half-course electives (HIST 5V00-HIST 5V89), and the thesis (HIST 5F90). Each student enrolled in HIST 5F90 must defend his/her thesis at a public oral examination. Under exceptional circumstances, students in either the major research paper stream or the thesis stream may be permitted to substitute a directed reading course (taken as HIST 5P80), or a course offered by another graduate program, in lieu of one of their elective courses.
The major research paper stream is designed to normally be completed in twelve months (three terms). The thesis stream is designed to normally be completed in twenty months (five terms). The completion time for part-time students will vary with the candidate's circumstances.
Degree Requirements (Co-op Stream)
Program requirements for the Co-op stream are identical to that of the standard stream with the following exceptions: All Co-op students write a Major Research Paper (MRP). The thesis option is not open to Co-op students. Students in the Co-op stream take work-placements in their third and fourth terms. Students will also take work-placement seminars (HIST 5N90), comprised of lectures, presentations and industry specific information, for two hours each week prior to the first co-op work term. Attendance is mandatory. Thus, one course, which standard stream students would take second term, will be delayed until the final (fifth) term).
All Co-op students will take Historiography and Historical Method (HIST 5F01), four half-course electives (HIST 5V00-HIST 5V79), two work placements (HIST 5N01 and 5N02), and the major research paper (HIST 5F80). Under exceptional circumstances, students may be permitted to substitute a directed reading course (taken as HIST 5P80), or a course offered by another graduate program, in lieu of one of their elective courses. The work placement is normally eight months, though two four-month placements may be approved; in either case, students must register for and pass both work placement courses (HIST 5N01 and HIST 5N02).
In addition to the current fees for courses in academic study terms, Co-op students are assessed an administrative fee (see the Schedule of Fees).
Course Descriptions
Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable timetable for details
Students must check to ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.
HIST 5F01
Historiography and Historical Method
Examines debates about the nature of history and provides an overview of contemporary historiographic controversies. A wide variety of methodologies and theoretical perspectives will be explored with an eye to assessing the practical applications of each for the study of history and for the students' own research projects.
HIST 5F80
Major Research Paper
A major research project (of approximately 35 pages), the topic of which shall be chosen by the student in consultation with the Supervisory Committee. The major research paper must demonstrate the student's ability to conduct original research with primary sources and a mastery of relevant historiography.
HIST 5F90
MA Thesis
An extended research project (of approximately 80-100 pages) which meets the conditions specified in the description for HIST 5F80 but involves a higher level of research and a fuller treatment of the selected subject. The thesis will be examined by an external reader and will have a public defense.
HIST 5N01
Co-op Employment I
Co-op work term (four months) with an approved employer providing a work integrated learning experience related to the student's chosen area of concentration. The co-op employment is full time with 35 to 40 hours per week for 12 to 16 weeks. Students are required to meet all the work term deliverables successfully (learning objective, work site visit, work term report and work term evaluation) and fulfill their employment contract in order to receive a “Satisfactory” grade for the work term.
HIST 5N02
Co-op Employment II
Co-op work term (four months) with an approved employer providing a work integrated learning experience related to the student's chosen area of concentration. The co-op employment is full time with 35 to 40 hours per week for 12 to 16 weeks. Students are required to meet all the work term deliverables successfully (learning objective, work site visit, work term report and work term evaluation) and fulfill their employment contract in order to receive a “Satisfactory” grade for the work term.
HIST 5N90
Co-op Pre-Employment Training and Development
An in-depth series of workshops and interactions to prepare learners for their success in the co-op program. The training will help learners understand how to conduct job search, the expectations of the real world. It also provides opportunities to network with industry professionals. Topics include résumé writing, interview skills, networking training, employer events and industry panel discussion. This course is a pre-requisite for any graduate co-op students who wish to participate in co-op employment. Students are required to meet all the workshop deliverables outlined in the course outline in order to receive a “Satisfactory” grade for the training and continue on with the co-op program.
HIST 5P80
Directed Reading in History
Directed individual or group reading in a specified area of historical study.
Restriction: permission of the Graduate Program Director.
HIST 5V00-5V09
Imperialism
Themes in the history of imperialism.
HIST 5V10-5V19
Gender
Themes in the history of gender.
HIST 5V11
2017-2018 Women and Gender in the Middle East
Major historical debates exploring how the forces of nationalism, modernization and revolutions have shaped the status of women and gender relations in the Middle East.
HIST 5V20-5V29
Intellectual History
Themes in the history of ideas.
HIST 5V30-5V39
Revolutions
Themes in the history of revolutions.
HIST 5V31
2017-2018 Social Change in Latin America
Examines violent and non-violent revolutions and other forms of revolutionary change including republican, reformist and democratic movements in Latin America from c1600. Emphasis on alterations of predominant patterns of social interaction; the evolving norms, values, cultural products and symbols that give expression to change; the bearing gender and ethnicity have on social change; and the social working of armed confrontation.
HIST 5V40-5V49
Labour Systems
Themes in the history of labour.
HIST 5V50-5V59
Migration/Ethnicity/Identity
Themes in the history of migration, ethnicity, and/or identity.
HIST 5V51
2017-2018 Comparative Slavery
The development of slave societies from Roman times to the present day. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of slave cultures and forms of slave resistance.
HIST 5V55
2017-2018: Ethnic Cleansing and Genocide in the 20th Century
Comparative examination of ethnic cleansing and genocide, focusing on various 20th-century case studies from across the globe. Explores the historical backgrounds, perpetration and terrifying results of ethnic cleansing and genocide. Themes include: changing international legal definitions and norms; the search for justice; shifting memories.
HIST 5V60-5V69
History of Science and/or Medicine
Themes in the history of science and/or medicine.
HIST 5V70-5V79
History and Computing
Themes in history and computing.