History (MA) - Co-op option

Location(s): Main Campus

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Master of Arts in History

Program Website: Master of Arts in History

Faculty and Administration

For a listing of program faculty and administrative contacts, please visit the program directory.

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.

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.

Degree Requirements (Standard Stream)

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 5P03 - HIST 5V79), and the major research paper (HIST 5F80 ). Students in the thesis stream will take Introduction to Historiography (HIST 5P01 ) and Research Methods (HIST 5P02 ), two half-course electives (HIST 5P03 - HIST 5V89), and the thesis (HIST 5F90 ). Each student enrolled in HIST 5F90 must defend their thesis at a public oral examination.

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. For a full list of graduate course offerings by subject area, please refer to the Courses tab in the navigation menu.

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 (HIST 5P01 ) and Historical Method HIST 5P02 ), four half-course electives (HIST 5P03 - HIST 5V79), two work placements (HIST 5N01 and HIST 5N02 ), and the major research paper (HIST 5F80 ). 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 ).