History

Chair and Associate Professor: Heern

Professors: Marsh, Njoku

Master of Arts in History

Mission: The MA in History trains students to explore established and emerging historical problems. The curriculum integrates traditional and interdisciplinary approaches to historical research with the development of digital and professional skills. Students take courses in historical content, digital methods, research methodology, and professional development. An MA in History prepares students to use their historical, technical, and applied training in a variety of teaching, research, and other positions, including schools, museums, consulting firms, non-profit organizations, government agencies, or further graduate study for academic careers.

Learning Outcomes

1. MA students will understand major trends, theories, and approaches in the field of history;
2. MA students will analyze and synthesize ongoing scholarly conversations in history and situate their arguments and projects in these contexts;
3. MA students will understand the range of digital resources available to historians and be able to use their chosen resources in producing and presenting research;
4. Students will define, research, and complete a significant historical project, and be able to describe and justify their research in written, visual, and oral formats; and
5. Students will gain skills to apply their historical learning to work in academic, nonprofit, or business-sector contexts.

Degree Structure & Requirements

The program offers both a thesis track and a non-thesis, portfolio track.

• In addition to required coursework, students on the portfolio track assemble a range of professional and scholarly projects that include at least one digital element of research or interpretation.
• In addition to required coursework, the thesis track requires students to produce a written thesis based on their research that features a significant digital component.
• Both thesis and portfolio options require students to present their research to the department and to pass an oral defense.

Digital Element

In order to develop a digital voice, which promotes both students' marketability and mastery of current trends in the field, students' research and its application must incorporate the digital humanities. This may take a variety of forms including the application of geographic information systems (GIS), spatial analysis, digital media and production, 3D modeling, documentary production, web design, digital network analysis, data visualization, or another medium or method approved by the Graduate Director. The Graduate Director or faculty supervisor will help guide the development and direction of a student's digital element.