History
The Department of History offers graduate research leading to a master of arts (MA) degree.
The major study areas are Africa, the Americas, Asia, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.
間眅埶AV Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the University admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the 間眅埶AV Calendar. Normally, an undergraduate 3.33 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is required in History or its equivalent in History over the last two years of the undergraduate program. A degree in a discipline related to History may be accepted in exceptional cases.
The Department reserves the right to accept qualified candidates only when an appropriate supervisor is available and the University resources (including library facilities) are deemed adequate for the student's stated research interest.
Demonstrated ability in a language or languages other than English may be a requirement for admission to the program, at the discretion of the nominal supervisor.
Program of Study
Upon graduate program admission, students are assigned a provisional supervisor. See 1.6.4 Supervisory Committee in the graduate general regulations. Students and supervisors should consult with each other in the first term about the composition of the supervisory committee, which consists of the supervisor and usually one other member of the history department.
The supervisory committee should be formalized as soon as possible after the student's entry into the program. Students should consult with their supervisors regarding course selection.
In most circumstances, students will complete course work in 12 months. In the fall term, HIST 814 and one optional course is completed. In the spring term, students complete HIST 815 and two optional courses. Of the three optional courses, at least one must be from area two (regional courses) and one from area three (thematic/comparative courses), and students are expected to enrol in at least two seminars. For a list of courses in each area, visit .
The course HIST 815 helps students prepare to research and write their theses. Students receive a satisfactory or unsatisfactory grade for this course. At the conclusion of the workshop, students defend their prospectuses to their committees in a formal setting.
When students have completed the course work, they write their language exam, and research and write their theses. Language exams are expected to be written by the end of the third term. Students enrol in HIST 898 while researching and writing their theses. During these terms, students will be expected to participate in monthly candidate seminars where portions of their own work-in-progress is presented at least once per term.
Program Requirements
Students complete 25 units including HIST 814 Historical Methods (5) and HIST 815 Prospectus Workshop (5), defend their thesis prospectus, and write a thesis of between 15,000 and 21,000 words, including footnotes (excluding bibliography). Shorter or longer thesis may be submitted only with the graduate chair's prior approval. If a thesis will exceed the word limit, the graduate chair must give formal approval prior to scheduling the defence.
Students enroled in HIST 898 MA Thesis (6) will participate in the monthly candidate seminars conducted by the graduate chair. Students are required to present portions of their own work at least once per term.
Language Requirements
Senior supervisors will determine with their students whether reading ability in a language or languages other than English are necessary for the completion of the MA. Senior supervisors will submit their recommendation in writing to the GPC for approval by the end of the first semester. Reading ability will be evaluated by a time-limited examination consisting of the translation of a passage in the particular language with the aid of a dictionary, or the successful completion of a language training course approved by the senior supervisor. A student who fails the time-limited examination may retake the test at the discretion of the senior supervisor. Senior supervisors will be responsible for determining whether the student has met the language requirements and for so informing the GPC.
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.