Department of History
Paterson Hall 430
613-520-2834
http://carleton.ca/history
- M.A. History
-
M.A. History with Specialization in African Studies (Specialization requirements listed under African Studies )
- M.A. Public History
- Ph.D. History
- Ph.D. History with Specialization in Political Economy
(Specialization requirements listed under Political Economy )
M.A. History
About the Program
At the M.A. level the Department of History offers two 5.0-credit programs: an M.A. in History, and an M.A. in Public History. Supervision is available in a wide variety of areas, including
- Canadian
- American
- Medieval
- Early Modern and Modern European
- British
- Caribbean
- Latin American
- Atlantic World
- Modern Asian
- Sub-Saharan African
- International
- Public History
- the History of Women, Gender and Sexuality
For a more detailed description of professors' areas of research and supervision, see the departmental website.
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Admission Requirements
The minimum requirement for admission to the master's program is an Honours bachelor's degree (or the equivalent) with at least high honours standing.
The Department offers no qualifying-year program; applicants with a general (three-year) degree may be considered for admission into the fourth year of Carleton's B.A. (Honours) program.
Program Requirements
Candidates may follow either a regular or Public History M.A. program, as follows:
M.A. History
Thesis option
| 1. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
HIST 5002 [0.5] | Historical Practice | |
HIST 5003 [0.5] | Historical Theory and Method | |
| 2. 1.0 credit from: | 1.0 | |
HIST 5803 [0.5] | History of Women, Gender and Sexuality: Foundations | |
HIST 5804 [0.5] | Problems in the History of Women, Gender and Sexuality | |
HIST 5805 [0.5] | Historiography of Canada I | |
HIST 5806 [0.5] | Historiography of Canada II | |
HIST 5809 [1.0] | Historiography: Directed Studies | |
HIST 5810 [0.5] | Medieval and Early Modern European Historiography | |
HIST 5811 [0.5] | Modern European Historiography | |
HIST 5812 [0.5] | Non-Western Historiography | |
HIST 5813 [0.5] | Historiography of the United States | |
| 3. 1.0 credit in a graduate history seminar or seminars in the student's major area of concentration or, with permission of the Department, a graduate course (0.5 credit) in the Department, plus a second graduate course (0.5 credit) in the Department or in another unit at Carleton University, or in the Department of History at the University of Ottawa | 1.0 | |
| 4. 2.0 credits in: | 2.0 | |
HIST 5909 [2.0] | M.A. Thesis | |
| Total Credits | 5.0 | |
Research Essay option
| 1. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
HIST 5002 [0.5] | Historical Practice | |
HIST 5003 [0.5] | Historical Theory and Method | |
| 2. 1.0 credit from: | 1.0 | |
HIST 5803 [0.5] | History of Women, Gender and Sexuality: Foundations | |
HIST 5804 [0.5] | Problems in the History of Women, Gender and Sexuality | |
HIST 5805 [0.5] | Historiography of Canada I | |
HIST 5806 [0.5] | Historiography of Canada II | |
HIST 5809 [1.0] | Historiography: Directed Studies | |
HIST 5810 [0.5] | Medieval and Early Modern European Historiography | |
HIST 5811 [0.5] | Modern European Historiography | |
HIST 5812 [0.5] | Non-Western Historiography | |
HIST 5813 [0.5] | Historiography of the United States | |
| 3. 1.0 credit in a graduate seminar or seminars in the student's major area of concentration; a seminar at the fourth-year level may be taken with permission of the Department | 1.0 | |
| 4. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
HIST 5900 [0.5] | Directed Research | |
| 5. 0.5 credit at the graduate level in HIST at Carleton, or, with permission of the Department, in another discipline at Carleton University, or in the Department of History at the University of Ottawa | 0.5 | |
| 6. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
HIST 5908 [1.0] | M.A. Research Essay | |
| Total Credits | 5.0 | |
M.A. Public History
| 1. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
HIST 5002 [0.5] | Historical Practice | |
HIST 5003 [0.5] | Historical Theory and Method | |
| 2. 0.5 credit from: | 0.5 | |
HIST 5803 [0.5] | History of Women, Gender and Sexuality: Foundations | |
HIST 5804 [0.5] | Problems in the History of Women, Gender and Sexuality | |
HIST 5805 [0.5] | Historiography of Canada I | |
HIST 5806 [0.5] | Historiography of Canada II | |
HIST 5810 [0.5] | Medieval and Early Modern European Historiography | |
HIST 5811 [0.5] | Modern European Historiography | |
HIST 5812 [0.5] | Non-Western Historiography | |
HIST 5813 [0.5] | Historiography of the United States | |
| 3. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
HIST 5700 [0.5] | Introduction to Public History | |
| 4. 1.5 credits in public history courses, offered under the following numbers. Up to 0.5 credit may be substituted by other appropriate courses in history (including another historiography course) or other units with the approval of the Department | 1.5 | |
HIST 5701 [0.5] | Archival Theory and Practice | |
HIST 5702 [0.5] | Public History Special Topics | |
HIST 5705 [0.5] | Museums, National Identity and Public Memory | |
| 5. 0.5 credit in HIST at the graduate level at Carleton, or with permission of the Department, in another discipline at Carleton University, or in the Department of History at the University of Ottawa | 0.5 | |
| 6. Internship: | 0.0 | |
HIST 5704 [0.0] | Internship in Public History | |
| 7. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
HIST 5908 [1.0] | M.A. Research Essay | |
| Total Credits | 5.0 | |
M.A. students are required to submit thesis or research essay proposals to the graduate advisor during their second term of full-time enrollment. Part-time students should discuss the timing of this requirement with the Department.
Guidelines for Completion of Master's Degree
Full-time students in the thesis option are expected to finish all requirements for the degree except HIST 5909 during their first two terms of study. The thesis requirement is designed to take an additional two or three terms.
Full-time students in the research essay option are expected to finish all requirements for the degree except HIST 5908 during their first two terms of study. The research essay requirement is designed to take an additional term.
Full-time students in the M.A. in Public History are expected to complete HIST 5002 + HIST 5003, 0.5 credit in historiography, Introduction to Public History and one other Public History 0.5-credit course during the fall and winter terms, their internship during the summer term, and the two remaining Public History 0.5-credit courses and their research essay HIST 5908 during the fall and winter terms of the second year. Another 0.5 credit at the graduate level in HIST at Carleton should be taken during the first or second year. Some flexibility will be allowed in the distribution of the Public History courses to facilitate choice. Part-time students should complete all degree requirements except the thesis within twelve terms of study.
Language Requirements
All candidates are required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of a language other than English, the choice to depend upon the field of the candidate's thesis or research. For seminars dealing with sources not in English, a reading knowledge of the appropriate language will be required before acceptance into the program. Details may be obtained from the supervisor of graduate studies.
Ph.D. History
About the Program
The Department of History offers a program of study and research leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree with a concentration in Canadian history or history of women, gender, and sexuality. Ph.D. candidates may be accepted in other areas depending upon the availability of appropriate supervision. For a description of professors' areas of research and supervision, see the departmental website.
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Admission Requirements
Applicants with an M.A. degree will be expected to have at least high honours standing.
Applicants for the history of Women, Gender and Sexuality program will be expected to have at least one of their earlier degrees in history.
Program Requirements
Candidates will be responsible for three fields: a major field (normally Canadian history or history of Women, Gender and Sexuality) and two minor fields.
One of the minor fields for students in the Canadian history (major) field must concern American, British, French, Russian, modern or early modern European or international history.
At least one of the minor fields for students in the Women, Gender and Sexuality (major) field must concern American, British, Canadian, French, Russian, modern or early modern European or international history.
History of Women, Gender and Sexuality majors must declare their area of concentration from among these fields.
The second minor field for each major may be a transnational topic or in a related discipline. In each instance, the minor field should cover approximately one century.
Written examinations will be taken in the minor field before the end of the student's second term in the minor; an oral examination in the major field will be arranged during the student's fourth term.
Ph.D. candidates are required to submit a thesis proposal to the graduate supervisor within three months of completing their oral examination.
Students will complete:
| 1. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
HIST 6808 [1.0] | Historical Theory and Method | |
| 2. 1.5 credits in: | 1.5 | |
HIST 6906 [0.5] | Ph.D. Tutorials | |
| 3. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
HIST 6907 [0.5] | Ph.D. Comprehensive (an oral comprehensive examination in the declared major field) | |
| 4. 2.0 credits from: | 2.0 | |
HIST 6100 [1.0] | Modern Europe Minor | |
HIST 6200 [1.0] | Early Modern Europe Minor | |
HIST 6400 [1.0] | Directed Studies - United States | |
HIST 6500 [1.0] | Directed Studies - British | |
HIST 6901 [1.0] | Canadian History Minor (if the student is not in the Canadian major) | |
HIST 6600 [1.0] | Directed Studies - Transnational or Thematic (or a second of the above courses) | |
HIST 6903 [1.0] | Women, Gender, Sexuality Minor (if the student is not in the Women, Gender and Sexuality major) | |
| or an approved course of studies in a related discipline, but excluding the declared area of the major field | ||
| 5. 5.0 credits in: | 5.0 | |
HIST 6909 [5.0] | Ph.D. Thesis (in the declared major field) | |
| Total Credits | 10.0 | |
Guidelines for Completion of Doctoral Degree
It is expected that full-time students will complete the thesis requirement within six terms of registering in HIST 6909, and part-time students within twelve terms.
Language Requirements
A reading knowledge of French will be required. Proven competence in an additional language or languages will be required if it is pertinent to the candidate's program. The language examinations will be written early in the first post-M.A. year, and before the field examinations. The language requirement (examination or courses) must be completed within two terms of initial registration.
Residence Requirement
The normal residence requirement for the Ph.D. degree is a minimum of three years of full-time study after the B.A. (Honours) degree, or two years after the M.A. degree.
University of Ottawa
A Carleton University student may take one seminar in the Department of History at the University of Ottawa, with permission of the two departments.
History (HIST) Courses
Historical Practice
Topic selection, thesis and research essay proposals, and practical skills development.
Historical Theory and Method
An examination of the meaning and use of historical theory.
Seminar in Medieval History
Selected problems relating to medieval history. The themes and historical period will be specified each year.
The Early Modern World
An overview of the history of the early modern world.
Seminar in Early Modern History
A selected topic in the history of the early modern world.
Seminar in Early Modern European History
A selected problem in the history of Europe during the early modern period.
Seminar in European History
A selected problem or period in the history of Europe.
Canada: Culture and Ideas
A seminar in the history of Canadian culture and ideas. The themes and historical period will be specified each year.
Canada: Politics and Diplomacy
A seminar in the history of Canadian politics and diplomacy. The themes and historical period will be specified each year.
Canadian Social History
A seminar in Canadian social history. The themes and historical period will be specified each year.
Canadian Regional History
A seminar in Canadian regional history. The themes and historical period will be specified each year.
Seminar in U.S. History
Research seminar in American history. The themes and historical period will be specified each year.
Historical Perspectives on Power
Seminar in British History
Selected problems relating to the history of Britain in the early modern or modern period. The themes and historical period will be specified each year.
Seminar on Women and Gender
Selected problems relating to the history of women and gender. The themes and historical period will be specified each year.
Seminar in Russian History
An examination of primary sources available for research on revolutionary Russia, 1898-1921. A sound reading knowledge of Russian is required for admission.
Imperial and Soviet Russia
Legacies of the tsarist empire and the Soviet Union that influence the region today. Topics discussed include political culture, empire, socialism, class, gender, and non-Russian peoples.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as HIST 4603, for which additional credit is precluded.
Central Europe, Past and Present
Evolution and current status of Central Europe, from periods of foreign control in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries to independent statehood. Emphasis on national accommodations and conflicts.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as HIST 4604, for which additional credit is precluded.
Introduction to Public History
Introduction to critical thinking about history's place in the public sphere, including history and popular culture, exhibiting history, the politics of the past, historical presentation and impact of digitization and other new information technologies, through lectures, readings, and field trips.
Archival Theory and Practice
Theories, methodologies and problems relating to archives and records management including principles and concepts guiding the work of archivists; records appraisal, collection, arrangement, description; special attention to archival communities including Library and Archives Canada.
Public History Special Topics
Theoretical and practical instruction in topical areas such as digitizing history, oral history, local history, photography, material history, performance, etc.
Internship in Public History
Placement for a term, normally over the summer following the first year of study, to put into practice the precepts learned in course work. Students will be jointly supervised by their employers and a faculty member. A written report on work will be required from the student and an assessment from the employer.
Museums, National Identity and Public Memory
Explores how national museums and similar institutions construct narratives and represent histories through processes of collection, preservation and exhibition. Topics include memory and identity; theory of museums; contestation; inclusivity and authority; cultural politics and heritage.
Seminar in World History
A selected problem or period in the history of Asia-Oceania, Africa, or Latin America.
International History
A seminar in international history; the themes and historical period will be specified each year.
Selected Topics: Transnational or Thematic
A seminar on a transnational or thematic topic. The particular topic will be specified each year.
History of Women, Gender and Sexuality: Foundations
Selected problems in the historiography of women, gender and sexuality.
Problems in the History of Women, Gender and Sexuality
Selected problems in the historiography of women, gender and sexuality, focusing on a topic to be announced annually.
Historiography of Canada I
A seminar primarily for graduate students in Canadian history, which examines the trends and methods of Canadian historical writing and the influences upon it.
Historiography of Canada II
A seminar primarily for graduate students in Canadian history, which examines the trends and methods of Canadian historical writing and the influences upon it.
Historiography: Directed Studies
Selected problems in the historiography of a geographical or thematic area not covered by a scheduled course.
Medieval and Early Modern European Historiography
An introduction to trends and methods in the writing of medieval and early modern European history, exploring the major schools of historical scholarship and thought through the study of selected problems.
Modern European Historiography
Trends and methods in the writing of modern European history, exploring the major schools of historical scholarship and thought through the study of selected problems.
Non-Western Historiography
Selected problems in the historiography of geographical and thematic areas of the Non-Western world. An introduction to trends and methods in Non-Western history exploring the major schools of historical scholarship and thought through the study of selected problems.
Historiography of the United States
An introduction to trends and methods in the writing of the history of the United States, exploring the major schools of historical scholarship and thought through the study of selected problems.
Directed Research
A course designed for students and supervisors to confer regularly in preparation for the research essay. Graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory upon a written report from the supervisor.
Directed Studies - Canadian
A program of supervised reading and preparation of written work in an area not covered by an existing graduate seminar.
Directed Studies - Non-Canadian
A program of supervised reading and preparation of written work in an area not covered by an existing graduate seminar.
Directed Studies - Canadian
A program of supervised reading and preparation of written work in an area not covered by an existing graduate seminar.
Directed Studies - Non-Canadian
A program of supervised reading and preparation of written work in an area not covered by an existing graduate seminar.
Selected Topics - Canadian Field
A seminar in an area not covered by an existing graduate course.
Selected Topics - Non-Canadian Field
A seminar in an area not covered by an existing graduate course.
M.A. Research Essay
An examination of an approved topic in an area of departmental specialization or in an appropriate area of Public History.
M.A. Thesis
A substantial historical investigation. The subject will be determined in consultation with the Department, and a supervisor will be assigned. The candidate will be examined orally after presenting his/her thesis.
Modern Europe Minor
A program of supervised reading in modern European history leading to a minor field examination.
Early Modern Europe Minor
A program of supervised reading in early modern European history leading to a minor field examination.
Directed Studies - United States
Supervised reading in American history leading to a minor field examination.
Directed Studies - British
Supervised reading in British history leading to a minor field examination.
Directed Studies - Transnational or Thematic
Supervised reading in a transnational or thematic topic leading to a minor field examination.
Transnational or Thematic History
A program of supervised reading in a transnational or thematic topic leading to an examination.
Public History
A program of supervised reading in public history leading to an examination.
Directed Studies ~- History and Political Economy
A program of supervised readings in political economy and history. When taken in conjunction with PECO 6000, will be considered as the second minor field of the student.
Historical Theory and Method
A course primarily for doctoral candidates in history, offered in alternate years, in which trends in historical theory and methodology will be examined.
Canadian History Minor
A program of supervised reading in Canadian history leading to a minor field examination.
Women, Gender, Sexuality Minor
A program of supervised reading in History of Women, Gender and Sexuality leading to a minor field examination.
Ph.D. Tutorials
A program of supervised reading in preparation for the Ph.D. oral examination in the student's field. Students must enrol in the appropriate course section and complete three terms (fall, winter, summer) of this course before sitting the oral comprehensive examination.
Ph.D. Comprehensive
Ph.D. oral comprehensive examination in the student’s field. The exam is undertaken in the student's fourth term.
Ph.D. Thesis
Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca
Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca