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2011-2012 University Catalog
History, MA
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Banner Code: LA-MA-HIST
Web: historyarthistory.gmu.edu
The Department of History and Art History provides graduate training in historical methods and analysis for students with widely varying goals. The MA concentrations that follow are designed to meet those goals.
This program of study is offered by the Department of History and Art History .
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see the Academic Policies chapter of the catalog. |
Application Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Admission chapter of this catalog. For information specific to the MA in history, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental web site. Degree Requirements
Students pursuing this degree must complete the requirements for one of the concentrations below. The first five concentrations require 30 credits of course work along with a specialization in U.S. history (AH), modern European history (EH), or world history (WH). The concentration in teaching requires 36 credits.
Students may be required to take up to 12 additional credits of foundation courses, which cover broad thematic areas (HIST 601, 602, 605, 606), to remedy gaps in their undergraduate preparation. If required as foundational, these credits cannot be applied toward the credits required for the degree.
If foundation courses are not required at admission, students in the concentrations in enrichment and teaching may apply up to one thematic course (3 credits) toward their degree. Students in the other concentrations may not apply these courses toward their degree.
Students may apply no more than 6 credits earned through study abroad courses toward their degree. ▲ Concentration in Predoctoral History (AH1, EH1, WH1)
This concentration is for students planning to pursue doctoral studies. Students choose one of three specializations and take most of their coursework, a seminar, and a readings course in that specialization. One required course (3 credits) taken within the first 9 credits:
Three to four courses (9-12 credits) in a specialization:
Students who complete the 3-credit HIST 798 have 12 credits of electives in their specialization, while students who complete a 6-credit thesis (HIST 799) have 9.
- Specialization in U.S. history (at least 3 credits from each group):
- Origins to 1861
- 1861–1914
- 1914 World War I to the present
- Specialization in European history (at least 3 credits from each group):
- Ancient, medieval, early modern to 1789
- 1789–1914
- 1914 to the present
- Specialization in world history (at least 3 credits from two regions):
- Africa
- Asia
- Middle East
- Latin America
One research seminar (3 credits) in a specialization:
One comprehensive reading course (3 credits) in a specialization:
The comprehensive reading course is designed by the student and a professor and taken during the last semester of course work. It generally requires reading beyond what is required in the other concentrations. This course is used to round out general historical knowledge and prepare students for the comprehensive exam. Two elective courses (6 credits) in history
Written comprehensive exam
Students who do not pass the comprehensive exam are given the option of taking a second exam following the original procedures. The second exam must be taken within a calendar year. Reading proficiency in a modern foreign language, as demonstrated by course work or an exam
3 credits of project or 6 credits of thesis
Note:
HIST 798 requires the completion of a major paper that is a substantial and original contribution to historical knowledge on the model of an article in a scholarly journal. If students choose to take HIST 798, they complete an additional 3 credits in their specialization. ▲ Concentration in Predoctoral History with an Emphasis in Cultural History (AH5, EH5, WH5)
This concentration is for students with a particular interest in cultural history and students considering future work in the cultural studies doctoral program. Completion of this program of study does not guarantee admission to the doctoral program in cultural studies. Students interested in that degree program should contact the Cultural Studies Program. One required course (3 credits) taken within the first 9 credits:
Three courses (9 credits) in a specialization:
- Specialization in U.S. history (at least 3 credits from each group):
- Origins to 1861
- 1861–1914
- 1914 World War I to the present
- Specialization in European history (at least 3 credits from each group):
- Ancient, medieval, early modern to 1789
- 1789–1914
- 1914 to the present
- Specialization in world history (at least 3 credits from two regions):
- Africa
- Asia
- Middle East
- Latin America
One research seminar (3 credits) in a specialization:
One comprehensive reading course (3 credits) in a specialization:
The comprehensive reading course is designed by the student and a professor and taken during the last semester of course work. It generally requires reading beyond what is required in the other concentrations. This course is used to round out general historical knowledge and prepare students for the comprehensive exam. One required course (3 credits) in cultural studies:
One course (3 credits) in approaches to cultural history
Students should consult with the director on an appropriate course to fulfill this requirement. One course (3 credits) from outside the area of specialization containing a significant cultural history component as defined by the instructor
Written comprehensive exam
Students who do not pass the comprehensive exam are given the option of taking a second exam following the original procedures. The second exam must be taken within a calendar year. Reading proficiency in a modern foreign language, as demonstrated by course work or an exam
Note:
HIST 798 requires the completion of a major paper on a topic in cultural history that is a substantial and original contribution to historical knowledge on the model of an article in a scholarly journal. ▲ Concentration in Applied History (AH2, EH2, WH2)
This concentration is for students seeking expertise in applied history fields, such as archival management, museum studies, historic preservation, and historical editing. It is also suitable for professionally employed historians who desire to further their careers. One required course (3 credits) taken within the first 9 credits:
Four courses (12 credits) in a specialization:
- Specialization in U.S. history (at least 3 credits from each group):
- Origins to 1861
- 1861–1914
- 1914 World War I to the present
- Specialization in European history (at least 3 credits from each group):
- Ancient, medieval, early modern to 1789
- 1789–1914
- 1914 to the present
- Specialization in world history (at least 3 credits from two regions):
- Africa
- Asia
- Middle East
- Latin America
One research seminar (3 credits) in a specialization:
Two to three courses (6-9 credits) in applied history
Students choose from courses from HIST 689 - 697. These include courses in historic preservation, museum studies, archives, historical editing, or new media and information technology. 3 or 6 credits of internship
If students chose to do a 3-credit internship, they will take an additional 3 credits in applied history course work. Proficiency in a relevant research tool
- Demonstrated by course work or exam in computers, statistics, or a modern foreign language
▲ Concentration in Applied History with New Media and Information Technology Emphasis (AH4, EH4, WH4)
One required course (3 credits) taken within the first 9 credits:
Four courses (12 credits) in a specialization:
- Specialization in U.S. history (at least 3 credits from each group):
- Origins to 1861
- 1861–1914
- 1914 World War I to the present
- Specialization in European history (at least 3 credits from each group):
- Ancient, medieval, early modern to 1789
- 1789–1914
- 1914 to the present
- Specialization in world history (at least 3 credits from two regions):
- Africa
- Asia
- Middle East
- Latin America
One research seminar (3 credits) in a specialization:
Two courses (6 credits) in new media and information technology
Students should consult the department for relevant courses. 3 or 6 credits of internship in information technology
If students chose to do a 3-credit internship, they will take an additional 3 credits in applied history course work. Proficiency in a relevant research tool
- Demonstrated by course work or exam in computer science, statistics, information technology, or a modern foreign language
▲ Concentration in Enrichment (AH3, EH3, WH3)
This concentration is for students who want to study history for intellectual self-fulfillment or vocational reasons. It allows more flexibility in the selection of courses and does not have a foreign language requirement. One required course (3 credits) taken within the first 9 credits:
Four courses (12 credits) in a specialization:
- Specialization in U.S. history (at least 3 credits from each group):
- Origins to 1861
- 1861–1914
- 1914 World War I to the present
- Specialization in European history (at least 3 credits from each group):
- Ancient, medieval, early modern to 1789
- 1789–1914
- 1914 to the present
- Specialization in world history (at least 3 credits from two regions):
- Africa
- Asia
- Middle East
- Latin America
One research seminar (3 credits) in a specialization:
Four elective courses (12 credits)
Thesis Option
Students may optionally write a thesis. Students who choose this option complete only 6 credits of electives. ▲ Concentration in Teaching (HS4)
This concentration is intended for students already licensed for teaching or seeking licensure. Although it includes course work in history and education, completion of this concentration alone is not sufficient to qualify for licensure. A licensure program is offered by the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), and admission is limited. Students are advised to consult with CEHD for specific requirements regarding licensure. One required course (3 credits) taken within the first 9 credits:
Six courses (18 credits) in history
- Choose at least one course (3 credits) each from U.S., European, and world history
One research seminar (3 credits) chosen from:
Four courses (12 credits) in graduate education courses, including:
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