Program Missions and Goals

The MA program in History enables students to explore the past with open-mindedness, thoroughness, and rigor; interrogate explanations and interpretations of the past; pursue original research in order to develop a deeper understanding of past events, people, and societies; and develop critical thinking, writing, and reading skills vital to future studies and careers.

The aim of the graduate program in History is to provide a solid grounding in the professional study of history, while preparing students for careers at various levels of the historical profession, including post-secondary, college and university teaching and research.

1. Development of historical knowledge: Students should gain knowledge of the historical facts of their field of concentration and integrate them into a compelling narrative of historical change and/or continuity over time.
2. Development of historiographical knowledge: Students should become familiar with major historical works, interpretations, methods, and/or theories central to the discipline and to their field of concentration.
3. Development of analytical thinking: Students should recognize patterns and connections in primary sources and critically evaluate secondary sources.
4. Research skills: Students should be able to develop a research topic of appropriate scope, identify the appropriate primary and secondary sources to carry out the project, present an analytical argument in clear prose appropriate to a specialist reader, and make oral presentations on their findings.
5. Gaining awareness of career skills and options: Students will gain awareness of how the skills they acquire through advanced study of history prepare them for careers in academic and non-academic settings.

The PhD program in History enables students to explore the past with open-mindedness, thoroughness, and rigor; interrogate explanations and interpretations of the past; pursue original research in order to develop a deeper understanding of past events, people, and societies; and develop critical thinking, writing, and reading skills vital to future studies and careers.

The aim of the PhD program in History is to provide a solid grounding in the professional study of history, while preparing students for careers in various areas of the historical profession, including post-secondary, college and university teaching and research.

1. Acquisition of historical and historiographical knowledge: Students should understand and evaluate narratives, methods, and theories found in the discipline of history and in their subspecialty.
2. Development of advanced analytical thinking skills: Students should be able to recognize historical patterns and connections and use them to identify and approach new interpretive problems.
3. Development of advanced research skills: Students should develop an ambitious original research project; identify appropriate sources and methods to execute it; produce a major historical work with original arguments written clear, compelling prose; and make oral presentations on their findings.
4. Development of pedagogical skills: Students will gain compentency with college-level teaching through exposure to various pedagogical practices and problems.
5. Gaining awareness of career skills and options: Students will gain awareness of how the skills they acquire through advanced study of history prepare them for careers in academic and non-academic settings.