Areas of Study and Degrees
History
M.A.
Humanities
M.A.
Archival Administration
Certificate

Master's Degree Plans
Thesis and Non-Thesis

Chair
Kenneth R. Philp
202 University Hall, 817-272-2861

Graduate Advisor
Stanley Palmer
201 University Hall, 817-272-2869

Graduate Faculty
Professors
Buisseret, Francaviglia, Green, Lackner, Palmer, Philp, Richmond, Rodnitzky

Associate Professors
Anders, Cawthon, Fairbanks, Goldberg, Haynes, Kyle, Maizlish, Morris, Narrett, Reinhardt, Reinhartz, Underwood

Assistant Professors
Cole, Eghigian, Jalloh, Parker

Adjunct Associate Professor
Saxon

Objective

The general purpose of the Master of Arts in History program is to provide the student with a greater breadth of understanding of both the past and the contemporary world, a continued exploration of the diversity of human experiences and ideas, and a greater depth of experience in historical methods and techniques. Specific objectives are to prepare the student for a career in business, government, research, teaching, archival and/or museum administration, or further graduate study. The program is designed to be flexible and, insofar as possible, to meet students' individual interests and career objectives.

SPECIAL NOTE: The Department of History has applied for authorization of a Ph.D. program in Transatlantic History. If approved, this program will be instituted in fall 1998. The program in Transatlantic History will focus on the contacts, exchanges and interrelationships among Europe, Africa and the Americas from 1492 to the present. The program is founded on the belief that current issues of multiculturalism and globalization have deep historical roots. For information on the status of the proposed Ph.D. program in Transatlantic History, contact the Graduate Advisor.

M.A. Degree Requirements

Courses taken toward a master's degree should fit into a unified program aimed at providing a student with both a comprehensive background and depth of understanding in a major field in either American (including non-U.S.) or European history. All students are required to take HIST 5339 Historical Theory and Methodology and the Issues and Interpretations course corresponding to their major field (either HIST 5340 or 5341). All students must take a minimum of six hours in both the Colloquium and the Seminar courses. Students must consult with the Graduate Advisor to determine their program.

Competency in one foreign language is required. This may be demonstrated by credit in an approved language through the sophomore level or by successful completion of an examination administered by the Department of Foreign Languages. In special cases, alternatives such as computer language or statistics may be considered on an individual basis.

The following requirements are in addition to the Graduate School requirements:

The thesis degree plan is designed for the student who wishes to research and write a substantial, original work on a historical topic of personal interest. The plan requires completion of 30 semester credit hours (24 hours of coursework, including 18 hours in a major field, plus 6 hours of thesis preparation). With the approval of the Graduate Advisor, the student may have a minor of as many as six hours of graduate and/or advanced undergraduate courses in a discipline other than history. As many as nine hours (six hours if a non-history minor is selected) of advanced undergraduate history coursework may be taken for graduate credit. In the event of failure of the oral defense of the thesis required for the degree, the student may petition the Graduate Studies Committee for re-examination.

The non-thesis degree plan requires completion of 36 semester credit hours of coursework, including 24 hours in a major field. In the final semester, the non-thesis student is required to take HIST 5395, a course that prepares the student for the comprehensive examination. With the approval of the Graduate Advisor, the student may have a minor of as many as nine hours of graduate and/or advanced undergraduate courses in a discipline other than history. A maximum of nine hours of advanced undergraduate coursework may be taken for graduate credit. A comprehensive examination (written and oral), over specific areas of concentration within the major field, is required for the degree; these areas will be defined by students in consultation with their faculty committees, the Graduate Advisor, and the Graduate Studies Committee. In the event of failure of the comprehensive examination, the student may petition the Graduate Studies Committee for re-examination.

Archival Administration and Public History

These studies involve application of historical knowledge and methodology in non-academic settings such as private businesses or public historical agencies (e.g., archives, museums, preservation societies).

Students desiring a certificate of archival administration as part of the Master of Arts in History degree must take HIST 5339 and HIST 5340 or HIST 5341, and enroll in 18 hours of content courses—in either American or European history. In addition, they must take HIST 5342 and HIST 5343, plus an additional six hours of internship, HIST 5644. Students already holding a MA or Ph.D. degree in history or a related field, as well as students enrolled in graduate programs other than history, who desire a certificate in archival administration should consult the Graduate Advisor.

Students desiring public history as an area of study as part of the Master of Arts in History degree must take HIST 5339, HIST 5340 or HIST 5341, and HIST 5395, and enroll in 9 hours of content courses—in either American or European history, but at least 3 hours in both colloquium and seminar courses. In addition, they must take HIST 5342, HIST 5343, HIST 5345, and HIST 5348, plus an additional six hours of internship (HIST 5644 or HIST 5655). Students electing to complete an internship in archival management (HIST 5644) will also earn the certificate in archival administration (see above).
Students interested in either archival administration or public history as areas of study are encouraged to consult the Graduate Advisor to discuss a program of work.

Master of Education in Teaching (MET)

History may be chosen as an appropriate academic specialization or teaching field for students enrolled in the Master of Education in Teaching Degree Program, and the department offers courses that qualify as an academic area or teaching field for elementary and secondary teachers. HIST 5340 and /or HIST 5341 are especially recommended for students in the M.E.T. program, and for others who wish to broaden their historical knowledge for classroom teaching. See Master of Education in Teaching Degree Program.

The grade of R (research in progress) is a permanent grade; it cannot be changed by completing course requirements in a later semester. To receive credit for an R-graded course, the student must continue to enroll in the course until a passing grade is received.
An incomplete grade (the grade of X) cannot be given in a course that is graded R, nor can the grade of R be given in a course that is graded X. To receive credit for a course in which the student earned an X, the student must complete the course requirements no later than mid-semester of the next semester (excluding summer). A grade of X cannot be changed by enrolling again in the course in which an X was earned. An incomplete grade that is not removed by the specified deadline will be automatically converted to an F. (See the Graduate School calendar for specific deadlines.)
Three-hour thesis courses and three- and six-hour dissertation courses are graded R/F/W only (except social work thesis courses). The grade of P (required for degree completion for students enrolled in thesis or dissertation programs) can be earned only in six- or nine-hour thesis courses and nine-hour dissertation courses. In the course listings below, R-graded courses are designated either "Graded P/F/R" or "Graded R." Occasionally, the valid grades for a course change. Students should consult the appropriate Graduate Advisor or instructor for valid grade information for particular courses. (See also the sections titled "R" Grade, Credit for Research, Internship, Thesis or Dissertation Courses and Incomplete Grade in this catalog.)

History (HIST)

Note: A course may be repeated for credit when the topic changes. Graduate standing is prerequisite.

5300. COLLOQUIUM IN 17TH AND 18TH CENTURY AMERICAN HISTORY (3-0). An examination of the historical literature and issues in 17th and 18th Century American history. The specific literature and issues examined will vary with the instructor.

5301. COLLOQUIUM IN 19TH CENTURY AMERICAN HISTORY (3-0). An examination of the historical literature and issues in 19th Century American history. The specific literature and issues examined will vary with the instructor.

5302. COLLOQUIUM IN 20TH CENTURY AMERICAN HISTORY (3-0). An examination of the historical literature and issues in 20th Century American history. The specific literature and issues examined will vary with the instructor.

5304. COLLOQUIUM IN REGIONAL/TOPICAL HISTORY OF THE U.S. (3-0). An examination of the historical literature and issues pertaining to a region or a major topic in the history of the U.S. The specific literature and issues examined will vary with the instructor.

5309. COLLOQUIUM IN LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY (3-0). An examination of the historical literature and issues in Latin American history. The specific literature and issues examined will vary with the instructor.

5310. COLLOQUIUM IN ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL HISTORY (3-0). An examination of the historical literature and issues in ancient and medieval history. The specific literature and issues examined will vary with the instructor.

5311. COLLOQUIUM IN EARLY MODERN EUROPEAN HISTORY (3-0). An examination of the historical literature and issues in early modern European history. The specific literature and issues examined will vary with the instructor.

5312. COLLOQUIUM IN MODERN EUROPEAN HISTORY (3-0). An examination of the historical literature and issues in modern European history. The specific literature and issues examined will vary with the instructor.

5313. COLLOQUIUM IN EUROPEAN REGIONAL/TOPICAL HISTORY (3-0). An examination of the historical literature and issues pertaining to a region or a major topic in European history. The specific literature and issues examined will vary with the instructor.

5320. SEMINAR IN 17TH AND 18TH CENTURY AMERICAN HISTORY (3-0). A detailed investigation of a major aspect of 17th and 18th century American history, involving original research and the use of historical resources. The particular aspect investigated will vary with the instructor.

5321. SEMINAR IN 19TH CENTURY AMERICAN HISTORY (3-0). A detailed investigation of a major aspect of 19th Century American history, involving original research and use of historical resources. The particular aspect investigated will vary with the instructor.

5322. SEMINAR IN 20TH CENTURY AMERICAN HISTORY (3-0). A detailed investigation of a major aspect of 20th Century American history, involving original research and use of historical resources. The particular aspect investigated will vary with the instructor.

5324. SEMINAR IN REGIONAL/TOPICAL HISTORY OF THE U.S. (3-0). A detailed investigation of a major aspect of a region or a major topic in the history of the U.S., involving research and use of historical resources. The particular aspect investigated will vary with the instructor.

5329. SEMINAR IN LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY (3-0). A detailed investigation of a major aspect of Latin American history, involving original research and use of historical resources. The particular aspect investigated will vary with the instructor.

5330. SEMINAR IN ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL HISTORY (3-0). A detailed investigation of a major aspect of ancient and medieval history, involving original research and use of historical resources. The particular aspect investigated will vary with the instructor.

5331. SEMINAR IN EARLY MODERN EUROPEAN HISTORY (3-0). A detailed investigation of a major aspect of early modern European history, involving original research and use of historical resources. The particular aspect investigated will vary with the instructor.

5332. SEMINAR IN MODERN EUROPEAN HISTORY (3-0). A detailed investigation of a major aspect of modern European history, involving original research and use of historical resources. The particular aspect investigated will vary with the instructor.

5333. SEMINAR IN EUROPEAN REGIONAL/TOPICAL HISTORY (3-0). A detailed investigation of a region or a major topic in European history, involving research and use of historical resources. The particular aspect investigated will vary with the instructor.

5339. HISTORICAL THEORY AND METHODOLOGY (3-0). An examination of theories of historical knowledge, the history of the discipline, various historical methodologies, and research techniques. Required for all History M.A. students.

5340. ISSUES AND INTERPRETATIONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY (3-0). A critical survey of American historical scholarship from colonial times to the present. Required for all students who are emphasizing American history.

5341. ISSUES AND INTERPRETATIONS IN EUROPEAN HISTORY (3-0). A critical survey of European historical scholarship from ancient times to the present. Required for all students who are emphasizing European history.

5342. PRINCIPLES OF ARCHIVES AND MUSEUMS I (3-0). The historical evolution of archival science, emphasizing the development of the archives profession, archival principles and theories, appraisal and acquisition techniques, the laws affecting archives, programming and outreach, automation, conservation and preservation, and administration of collections. HIST 5342 is a prerequisite for HIST 5343.

5343. PRINCIPLES OF ARCHIVES AND MUSEUMS II (3-0). Training in the methods and techniques of processing archives and historical manuscripts. Focuses on the day-to-day responsibilities of archivists and curators, such as appraising, accessioning, arranging, and describing collections. Prerequisite: HIST 5342.

5345. INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HISTORY (3-0). An overview of the field of public history focusing on public historians, their work, their relationship to academic historians, their accomplishments, and the ethical principles under which they operate.

5348. TOPICS IN PUBLIC HISTORY (3-0). A detailed examination of some aspect of public history (e.g. historical editing, oral history, historic preservation). The particular topic will vary with the instructor. Prerequisite: HIST 5345.

5349. TOPICS IN WORLD CIVILIZATION (3-0). Examines subjects of immediate interest relating to world civilization not covered in other existing courses.

5350. HISTORY OF CARTOGRAPHY (3-0). A history of maps and their making and cartographic documentation as a source for understanding historical development. An aspect of the history of science and technology and the history of discovery and exploration.

5391, 5691. INDEPENDENT STUDY. For graduate students whose needs are covered by no course immediately available. Graded R.

5392. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE HUMANITIES (3-0). An historical inquiry into problems and issues of contemporary relevance in the humanistic disciplines. The particular problems and issues investigated will vary with the instructor.

5395. NON-THESIS CAPSTONE (3-0). Readings in the non-thesis student's final semester, directed by the three-person faculty committee supervising the student's program of work. Required of all non-thesis students.

5398, 5698, 5998. THESIS. 5398 graded R/F only; 5698 and 5998 graded P/F/R.

5644. ARCHIVAL INTERNSHIP. Hands-on experience in archives, records centers, or historical manuscripts repositories. Graded P/F/R. Prerequisites: HIST 5342 and 5343.

5655. PUBLIC HISTORY INTERNSHIP (3-0). Placement in a history-oriented position in a private or public agency or organization in the community. Prerequisites: HIST 5345 and 5348. Graded P/F/R.

6391. INDEPENDENT STUDY (3-0). Graded R.