Kent State University Catalog 2010 - 2011

History - M.A. and Ph.D.

COLLEGE:	College of Arts and Sciences
DEPARTMENT:	Department of History 305 Bowman Hall E-mail: mheiss@kent.edu Tel: 330-672-2882 Fax: 330-672-2943 Web: http://www.kent.edu/cas/history/index.cfm

DESCRIPTION:	The Master of Arts in History consist of three concentrations: History, Public History and History for Teachers. The Master of Arts in History offers students the opportunity for advanced study in a variety of areas. Coursework emphasizes interpretation, methodology and original research. Students who anticipate continuing their graduate study beyond the M.A. should pursue one of the thesis tracks; non-thesis options are available for those who do not expect to go on to doctoral work. Public History prepares students for work in museums, historical societies, business and wherever the expertise of a professional historian is needed. The interdisciplinary program includes at least one internship. History for Teachers is for teachers interested in advanced study of history. Coursework is focused on current scholarship and approaches to history, and while it is not a degree in history pedagogy, it is designed to encourage the application of current historical scholarship to the work responsibilities of the practicing teacher. The program provides school professionals with a structured but flexible approach to analyzing and teaching history while permitting interdisciplinary work in related fields or areas particularly relevant to students' professional objectives. The Ph.D. in History prepares students to become professional scholars, college and university teachers and independent researchers in private or public research institutions.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:	Official transcript(s); GRE; statement of purpose describing professional objectives and proposed field of study; significant piece of written work; and three letters of recommendation (preferably academic). The Ph.D. also requires an M.A. in History (or its equivalent).
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:	M.A.: All students must successfully complete History 61001 and 61002. Students selecting a thesis option must demonstrate a reading knowledge of one or more foreign languages if their advisers determine that it is necessary for research. HIST 69896 and 69898 are not generally available until students have earned 20 semester hours. History: In addition to the requirements listed above, all students in the History concentration must complete successfully four seminars/colloquia (at least one seminar) and must distribute their coursework among various fields, which include ancient, medieval, European, United States, Latin American and African history. It is possible to introduce a minor in a department outside the Department of History. The non-thesis option allows for an individualized minor (8-9 hours). Public History is intended to prepare students for careers in various types of agencies such as state and local historical societies, government agencies, museums, archives and the like. In addition to the coursework required of all master’s students, those who elect this concentration are required to successfully complete HIST 51000, 60092, 62097, three additional courses in history (at least one seminar and one colloquium) and appropriate coursework in other departments. History for Teachers concentration is designed to provide a program of advanced historical study for history/social studies teachers. Students enrolled in this concentration must take at least 18 hours of graduate coursework in the department of history at Kent State University. In addition to HIST 61001 and 610002, student will take at least one reading colloquium and one writing seminar and at least one course in each of the following areas: U.S. History, Europe since 1500 and Global History (Europe before 1500, Africa, Asia and Latin America). 9 hours of graduate coursework may be taken outside the Department of History for most students these courses will be drawn from TLC. Up to 3 of the required 33 credits hours for the concentrations may come from graduate workshops offered by the department of History or other KSU units (such as TLC and LIS). Ph.D.: The student will elect one general, one specialized, and one thematic field. General fields include Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and United States. Specialized fields include topical and regional areas of Europe and the United States, public history, and gender/women. Either the general or the specialized field must be the field embracing the dissertation. The thematic field must combine two different continents, or the modern period and a chronological period before 1500, and revolve around a common theme. Thematic fields include political/intellectual, social/cultural, empire/foreign relations, and religion and society. (Current lists of all general, specialized, and thematic fields may be obtained from the department.) In addition to fulfilling university requirements, the student must meet those of the Department of History. The student must complete successfully HIST 79894, and a combination of six 7/80000-level seminars and colloquia. The department requires that the student demonstrate reading knowledge of one foreign language by the end of the third semester after initial registration. The student’s adviser will determine if the student needs to demonstrate reading knowledge of a second or third foreign language. All students must elect additional courses in a discipline or research area related to history that will be useful in completing their dissertations.
CANDIDACY:	Ph.D.: After completing all of the requirements, the student takes written and oral examinations in the three elected fields of history.
PROGRAM FEE:	None