ObjectivesOur innovative two-year program combines traditional academic strengths in historical theory, historiography, and primary research, with specialized courses on topics related to history in the public sphere (ranging from museums and archival theory to oral history and photography).
Practical experienceIn the summer months between the first and second year, students enroll in a fully-paid internship (worth approximately $10,000) which provides first-hand practical experience as a public historian.
Academic titleMaster of Arts in Public History
Course descriptionProgram Requirements
Public History M.A.
* 1.0 credit in HIST 5002 + HIST 5003;
* 1.0 credit in HIST 5803 + HIST 5804; or HIST 5805 + HIST 5806; or HIST 5809 [1.0]; or HIST 5810 + HIST 5811: a seminar or tutorial in the historiography of the appropriate country or area (1.0 credit);
* 0.5 credit in HIST 5700;
* 1.5 credits in public history courses, offered under the numbers HIST 5701 and HIST 5702. Appropriate courses in other units may be substituted with the approval of the Department;
* HIST 5704: Internship in Public History (0.0 credit);
* 1.0 credit in HIST 5908: M.A. Research Essay.
M.A. students are required to submit thesis or research essay proposals to the graduate advisor during their second term of full-time enrolment. Part-time students should discuss the timing of this requirement with the Department.
HIST 5002 [0.5 credit] Historical Practice
Topic selection, thesis and research essay proposals, and practical skills development.
Precludes additional credit for HIST 5000, HIST 5001[1.0] (no longer offered).
HIST 5003 [0.5 credit] Historical Theory and Method
An examination of the meaning and use of historical theory.
Precludes additional credit for HIST 5000, HIST 5001[1.0] (no longer offered).
HIST 5006 [1.0 credit] Seminar in Medieval History
Selected problems relating to medieval history. The themes and historical period will be specified each year.
HIST 5008 [0.5 credit] The Early Modern World
An overview of the history of the early modern world.
HIST 5009 [0.5 credit] Seminar in Early Modern History
A selected topic in the history of the early modern world.
HIST 5100 [1.0 credit] Seminar in Early Modern European History
A selected problem in the history of Europe during the early modern period. Also offered at the undergraduate level with different requirements, as HIST 4100, for which additional credit is precluded.
HIST 5200 [1.0 credit] Seminar in European History
A selected problem or period in the history of Europe. Also offered at the undergraduate level with different requirements, as HIST 4200, for which additional credit is precluded.
HIST 5310 [1.0 credit] Canada: Culture and Ideas
A seminar in the history of Canadian culture and ideas. The themes and historical period will be specified each year.
HIST 5311 [1.0 credit] Canada: Politics and Diplomacy
A seminar in the history of Canadian politics and diplomacy. The themes and historical period will be specified each year.
HIST 5312 [1.0 credit] Canadian Social History
A seminar in Canadian social history. The themes and historical period will be specified each year.
HIST 5313 [1.0 credit] Canadian Regional History
A seminar in Canadian regional history. The themes and historical period will be specified each year.
HIST 5400 [1.0 credit] Seminar in American History
Research seminar in American history. The themes and historical period will be specified each year.
HIST 5506 [1.0 credit] Perspectives on Power
An inquiry into historical analyses of politics in light of the current social philosophical conceptions of power and consciousness, with reference to early modern England, and/or Canada in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and/or Latin America in the late colonial period, with emphasis on Mexico, depending on the instructor(s).
HIST 5508 [1.0 credit] Seminar in British History
Selected problems relating to the history of Britain in the early modern or modern period. The themes and historical period will be specified each year.
HIST 5509 [1.0 credit] Seminar on Women and Gender
Selected problems relating to the history of women and gender. The themes and historical period will be specified each year.
HIST 5600 [1.0 credit] Seminar in Russian History
An examination of primary sources available for research on revolutionary Russia, 1898-1921. A sound reading knowledge of Russian is required for admission.
HIST 5603 [0.5 credit] Imperial and Soviet Russia
Legacies of the tsarist empire and the Soviet Union that influence the region today. Topics discussed include political culture, empire, socialism, class, gender, and non-Russian peoples. Also offered at the undergraduate level with different requirements, as HIST 4603, for which additional credit is precluded. Also listed as EURR 5203.
HIST 5604 [0.5 credit] Central Europe, Past and Present
Evolution and current status of Central Europe, from periods of foreign control in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries to independent statehood. Emphasis on national accommodations and conflicts. Also offered at the undergraduate level with different requirements as, HIST 4604, for which additional credit is precluded. Also listed as EURR 5204.
HIST 5700 [0.5 credit] Introduction to Public History
Introduction to critical thinking about history's place in the public sphere, including history and popular culture, exhibiting history, the politics of the past, historical presentation and impact of digitization and other new information technologies, through lectures, readings, and field trips.
HIST 5701 [0.5 credit] Archival Theory and Practice
Theories, methodologies and problems relating to archives and records management such as archival responses to the challenges of managing and preserving electronic records; principles and concepts guiding the work of archivists; records appraisal, collection, arrangement, description.
HIST 5702 [0.5 credit] Public History Special Topics
Theoretical and practical instruction in topical areas such as 'history and new media,' 'oral history,' 'museums and national memory,' 'community history,' 'visual media,' 'material history,' etc.
HIST 5704 [0.0 credit] Internship in Public History
Placement for a term, normally over the summer following the first year of study, to put into practice the precepts learned in course work. Students will be jointly supervised by their employers and a faculty member. A written report on work will be required from the student and an assessment from the employer.
HIST 5708 [1.0 credit] Seminar in World History
A selected problem or period in the history of Asia-Oceania, Africa, or Latin America. Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as HIST 4700, for which additional credit is precluded.
HIST 5800 [1.0 credit] International History
A seminar in international history; the themes and historical period will be specified each year.
HIST 5802 [0.5 credit] Selected Topics: Transnational or Thematic
A seminar on a transnational or thematic topic. The particular topic will be specified each year.
HIST 5803 [0.5 credit] Women, Gender and Family History: Foundations
Selected problems in the historiography of women, gender and family.
Precludes additional credit for HIST 5807 (no longer offered).
HIST 5804 [0.5 credit] Problems in the History of Women, Gender and Family
Selected problems in the historiography of women, gender and family, focusing on a topic to be announced annually.
Precludes additional credit for HIST 5807 (no longer offered).
HIST 5805 [0.5 credit] Historiography of Canada I
A seminar primarily for graduate students in Canadian history, which examines the trends and methods of Canadian historical writing and the influences upon it.
Precludes additional credit for HIST 5808 (no longer offered).
HIST 5806 [0.5 credit] Historiography of Canada II
A seminar primarily for graduate students in Canadian history, which examines the trends and methods of Canadian historical writing and the influences upon it.
Precludes additional credit for HIST 5808 (no longer offered).
HIST 5809 [1.0 credit] Historiography: Directed Studies
Selected problems in the historiography of a geographical or thematic area not covered by a scheduled course.
HIST 5810 [0.5 credit] Early Modern European Historiography
An introduction to trends and methods in the writing of early modern European history, exploring the major schools of historical scholarship and thought through the study of selected problems.
HIST 5811 [0.5 credit] Modern European Historiography
Trends and methods in the writing of modern European history, exploring the major schools of historical scholarship and thought through the study of selected problems.
HIST 5901 [1.0 credit] Directed Studies - Canadian
A program of supervised reading and preparation of written work in an area not covered by an existing graduate seminar.
HIST 5902 [1.0 credit] Directed Studies - Non-Canadian
A program of supervised reading and preparation of written work in an area not covered by an existing graduate seminar.
HIST 5903 [0.5 credit] Directed Studies - Canadian
A program of supervised reading and preparation of written work in an area not covered by an existing graduate seminar.
HIST 5904 [0.5 credit] Directed Studies - Non-Canadian
A program of supervised reading and preparation of written work in an area not covered by an existing graduate seminar.
HIST 5905 [0.5 credit] Selected Topics - Canadian Field
A seminar in an area not covered by an existing graduate course.
HIST 5906 [0.5 credit] Selected Topics - Non-Canadian Field
A seminar in an area not covered by an existing graduate course.
HIST 5908 [1.0 credit] M.A. Research Essay
An examination of an approved topic in an area of departmental specialization or in an appropriate area of Public History.
HIST 5909 [2.0 credits] M.A. Thesis
A substantial historical investigation. The subject will be determined in consultation with the Department, and a supervisor will be assigned. The candidate will be examined orally after presenting his/her thesis.