MA HISTORY  – 2005-07 Catalog
History Department
Faculty Office Bldg. (47), Room 27C
805 756-2543

Approved – Effective Fall 2005

General Characteristics

The program in history emphasizes concentrated study in area specialties, with students gaining a thorough grounding in the latest historiography. In addition, the program maintains that historical study must be predicated upon sustained research, engagement with historical problems, and written communication. Completion of the MA program in history will allow students the following options:

·     Teach history at the elementary, secondary, or community college level.

·     Give students the critical skills and knowledge to enter into the worldwide information economy.

·     Allow community members to expand their historical knowledge.

·     Prepare students for transfer to Ph.D. programs at other universities.

Prerequisites

Admission to the MA program will require:

1.  Possession of an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.

2.  An overall grade point average of 3.0 for the last 90 units of their undergraduate work.

3.  Submission of a writing sample, in the form of a senior project or upper division paper.

4.  Related undergraduate coursework. Students without an undergraduate degree in history will be required to demonstrate adequate preparation for graduate study in history, as determined by the Graduate Coordinator.

Program of Study

·      48 units of graduate work in areas specified (49 units for those students writing a MA Thesis).

·      a grade point average of at least 3.0 after 12 units of graduate coursework.

·      MA Thesis or Comprehensive Examinations in two distinct areas of study.

Foreign Language Study

Students are encouraged to learn and use foreign languages in the MA program. Students who plan further graduate study in history are particularly encouraged in this direction since proficiency in two foreign languages is usually required in doctoral programs.

Applications

Applications for admission and requests for further information should be directed to the Admissions Office or the Graduate Coordinator of the MA History program. All applications should include a writing sample (preferably an extended research paper), undergraduate transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.

 

Units

HIST 504 Graduate Study in History

4

History Seminars
Select 5 courses from the following. Each is repeatable up to 12 units.

20

HIST 505 Seminar in U.S. History (4-12)

 

HIST 506 Sem. in Modern European History (4-12)

 

HIST 507 Sem. in East Asian History (4-12)

 

HIST 508 Sem. in Latin American History (4-12)

 

HIST 509 Seminar in African History (4-12)

 

400-500 level HIST electives
400-level courses will include extra work for graduate students. (All courses must be taken after student has been awarded an undergraduate degree and may not repeat undergraduate courses or their equivalent.)

16

Comprehensive Exam Option (total 48 units)

 

HIST 512 Supervised Reading for Comprehensive Exams (2) (2)

4

4 additional units of 400-500 HIST electives

4

Thesis Option (total 49 units)

 

HIST 599 Thesis (3) (3) (3)

9

 

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