Last updated: March 22, 2024 @ 09:22AM
History
Master of Arts in History
Dean
Carol U. Merriam
Faculty of Humanities
Associate Dean
Elizabeth Vlossak
Faculty of Humanities
Core Faculty
Professors
Maureen K. Lux, R. Andrew McDonald, Behnaz Mirzai, Mark Spencer
Associate Professors
John Bonnett, Jessica Clark, Michael Driedger, Tami Friedman, Gregor Kranjc, Renee Lafferty-Salhany, Jane McLeod, Dan Malleck, Elizabeth Neswald, Olatunji Ojo, Colin Rose, Daniel Samson, Maria Del Carmen Suescun Pozas, Elizabeth Vlossak, Ning Wang, Murray Wickett
Assistant Professor
Joshua Manitowabi
Participating Faculty
Adjunct Faculty
Renee Lafferty-Salhany
Affiliated Professors
Phillip Gordon Mackintosh (Geography and Tourism Studies)
Dan Malleck (Health Sciences)
Elizabeth Sauer (English)
Graduate Program Staff
Graduate Program Director
Michael Driedger
mdriedger@brocku.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
Melissa Vanatte
mahistory@brocku.ca
573A Glenridge Avenue Room 202
(905) 688-5550 ext. 3884
brocku.ca/humanities/history/
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 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 degree with significant History content will be considered on a case-by-case basis, 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 candidates.
Part-time study is available.
Degree Requirements (Standard Stream)
Most students pursue the Major Research Paper. The thesis stream is by application only, on the recommendation of the Graduate Committee.
All students in the major research paper stream will take Introduction to Historiography (HIST 5P01) and Research Methods (HIST 5P02), four half-course electives (HIST 5V00-HIST 5V79), and the major research paper (HIST 5F80). Students invited to the thesis stream will take Introduction to Historiography (HIST 5P01) and Research Methods (HIST 5P02), two half-course electives (HIST 5V00-HIST 5V89), and the thesis (HIST 5F90). Each student enrolled in HIST 5F90 must defend their 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 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 5F80
Major Research Paper
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.
Restriction: Open to History MA students only.
HIST 5F90
MA Thesis
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.
Restriction: Open to History MA students only.
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.
Restriction: Open to History MA students only.
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.
Restriction: Open to History MA students only.
HIST 5N03
Co-op Employment III
Co-op work term (four months) with an approved employer providing a work integratedlearning experience related to the student's chosen area of concentration. The co-opemployment is full time with 35 to 40 hours per week for 12 to 16 weeks. Students arerequired to meet all the work term deliverables successfully (learning objective, work sitevisit, work term report and work term evaluation) and fulfill their employment contract inorder to receive a Satisfactory grade for the work term.
Restriction: Open to History MA students only.
HIST 5N90
Co-op Professional Preparation Course
Course provides graduate students with the tools, resources and skills to maximize co-op employment and professional development opportunities both while at Brock and after graduation. This course is a pre-requisite for any co-op students who wish to participate in co-op job search and grade will be evaluated based on class participation including attendance and completion of professional projects.
Restriction: Open to History MA students only.
HIST 5P01
Introduction to Historiography
Examines debates about the nature of history and provides an overview of contemporary historiographic controversies.
Restriction: Open to History MA students only.
HIST 5P02
Research Methods
Practical applications of historiographical theory to specific research projects, in planning for major research papers and theses.
Restriction: Open to History MA students only.
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 5V02
2024-2025 Ethnicity and Identity in Africa
Explores concepts of ethnicity and the ways in which concepts of African identity and community changed under shifting imperial, political, economic, ecological, and demographic pressures. Contrasts Euro-centric perspectives with the "silent" voices of subaltern Africa.
Restriction: Open to History MA students. Students from other programs must obtain permission from the History Department.
HIST 5V10-5V19
Gender
Themes in the history of gender.
HIST 5V20-5V29
Intellectual History
Themes in the history of ideas.
HIST 5V30-5V39
Revolutions
Themes in the history of revolutions.
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
2024-2025 Comparative Slavery
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.
Restriction: Open to History MA students. Students from other programs must obtain permission from the History Department.
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.