History
The Department of History offers graduate research leading to a doctor of philosophy (PhD) degree.
The major study areas are the Americas, Asia, Canada, Europe and the Middle East.
The department reserves the right to accept candidates only when a qualified supervisor is available and the University resources (including library facilities) are deemed adequate for the stated research priority.
Prospective PhD candidates are advised that the degree is granted in recognition of the student’s general grasp of the subject matter of a broad area of study; for the ability to think critically; and for the power to analyze and co-ordinate problems and data from allied fields of study.
Program of Study
Upon program admission, each student is assigned a faculty supervisor. See graduate general regulation 1.6 for information about supervisory committees. The supervisory committee and the student determine three fields of study, at least two of which must be in the Department of History. A third field may be outside the Department of History with permission of the Graduate Program Committee.
All doctoral students are expected to complete at least one seminar course for credit in their first year.
The student and each field supervisor will agree as soon as possible on a general readings list of approximately 45 books (or equivalent) in each field. Reading list copies must be submitted to the graduate program committee chair by the beginning of the second term. The graduate program committee approves these lists and places them in the student鈥檚 files.
Students are expected to cover the material on these lists, preferably by means of a structured reading and writing program with their supervisors.
The comprehensive examinations are written in week five of the fourth term. Only under extraordinary circumstances are students permitted to complete their comprehensive exams at a date later than this. For details about the comprehensive exams, see the department鈥檚 graduate program handbook. All written examinations must be passed before the oral comprehensive exam.
A student who fails one of the written examinations, and one only, will have one additional chance for re-examination before sitting the oral exam. A 鈥榝ail,鈥� 鈥榩ass,鈥� or 鈥榩ass with distinction鈥� will be assigned by the examining committee after oral exam completion. Students failing at this stage are not permitted to continue in the program.
All doctoral students are expected to complete at least one graduate seminar course for credit in their first year.
Thesis
Within one term of successful completion of comprehensive exams and formal candidacy admission, students submit a thesis prospectus on a topic selected from the specialization areas listed above. The same procedure is followed for MA candidates but the thesis committee may seek the participation of another who has particular expertise in the proposed thesis topic area. Through the thesis, the student must demonstrate an original contribution to knowledge.
When the thesis is complete and the student is ready to offer himself/herself for the degree, a thesis examining committee will be formed, composed of the departmental graduate program committee chair or designate; the student鈥檚 supervisory committee; a faculty member or a person otherwise suitably qualified who is not a supervisory committee member; and an external examiner who is not a University employee.
This committee examines the student on the thesis and in the student’s major field of study. See for further information and regulations.
Language Requirements
Students must demonstrate a reading ability in one language other than English that is acceptable to the supervisory committee. Students proposing to study Canadian history must demonstrate a reading ability in French, determined by a time limited examination consisting of the translation of a history passage in the particular language. A dictionary will be permitted.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.