History 603: American Historiography, 1865-Present
Jennifer Fronc | Tuesday, 2:30pm-5:00pm
This course introduces graduate students to the major themes and debates that have animated U.S. history. The readings address the approaches of political, social, economic, cultural, and intellectual history, and they challenge students to position their own interests within these broader debates. The assigned readings are not exhaustive, but the course will provide a foundation upon which students can build when conducting future research, building portfolio fields, and/or preparing for teaching U.S. history.
The writing assignments emphasize some discipline-specific skills—such as formatting according to the Chicago Manual of Style guidelines and writing book reviews modeled on those found in major journals in the field (such as the Journal of American History, Reviews in American History)—as well as the broader skills of constructing academic arguments and engaging in scholarly debate.
History 626: Comparative Memory
Jon Olsen | Wednesday, 2:30 - 5:00pm
History 665: Writing History
Steven Platt | Wednesday, 2:30 - 5:00pm
History is an art as well as a social science, and this seminar gives graduate students a chance to focus on their development as writers as well as scholars. The writing of History is a unique kind of art—imaginative without being imaginary—and as long as we stay within the strictures of what our sources contain, we have great leeway to be creative with form, structure, voice, and other ostensibly “literary” aspects of our work. Which is to say, History allows us much of the freedom of writing literature, without the burden of having to make things up. This course is predicated on the belief that there is no need to choose between writing for academic or general audiences—if done well, writing for the one audience does not mean alienating the other, it simply ensures a broader readership for your work. During the semester, along with reading and discussing various models of creative historical writing, students will hone their own writing and editing skills as they develop individual projects and comment on the work of their classmates. The course is designed to meet the requirements of a 600-level seminar, but some students, with consent of the instructor, will be able to enroll in the course at the 700 level, depending on the nature of their proposed semester-long project.
History 662: Museums and Historic Site Int.
Samuel Redman | Thursday, 2:30 - 5:00pm
The aim of this course is to introduce students to some of the many intangible issues surrounding museum and historic site interpretation. We will also be addressing some of these challenges through on-the-ground and digital collaborations with museums in Massachusetts and beyond. Seminar discussion will explore readings, including both theoretical and practical works. Writing assignments will be both practical (writing exhibit labels, digital history websites) and theoretical (analyzing meaning-making in museum exhibits and at historic sites). Students will expand their insights and develop their skills by undertaking a set of “field service” projects for community partners.
Additional Options
Taking Undergraduate Courses for Graduate Credit
Under the University Numbering System, M.A. students wishing to enroll in an upper-level undergraduate course may do so under the special topics number, History 597, with signed permission from the faculty member teaching the course (turn this in to Mary Lashway in Herter 615) and also with the understanding that instructors will require additional work of graduate students in those courses. Check SPIRE for the listings of undergraduate courses.
There are forms available in Herter 615 describing the additional work to be performed for graduate credit; these must be signed by the instructor. Students will be responsible for discussing the course requirements with instructors. Please see the Mary Lashway about registration to ensure that a grade will be submitted for you at the end of the semester. Only two 597 courses may count as topics courses towards completion of the MA degree.
Independent Studies
Students may enroll in independent studies as either History 696 (reading independent study) or History 796 (research/writing independent study) with a faculty member overseeing the plan of study. To enroll in History 696 or 796 pick up an independent study form from Mary Lashway in Herter 615. This form must be filled out including name, student number, course number (696 or 796), credits, a detailed description of the plan of work for the independent study (e.g. research paper, book reviews, historiography, essays, etc.), and signed by the professor overseeing the independent study. After it has been filled out and signed it needs to be returned to Mary Lashway to be entered on Spire. Only two independent studies may be counted towards completion of the MA degree.
Enrollment Information
The history department welcomes graduate students from across campus to enroll in our graduate classes. Advanced undergraduates are invited to inquire about enrolling in graduate courses. Such enrollment depends on the permission of individual instructors who should be contacted directly. Questions can also be directed to the Graduate Program Coordinator, Mary Lashway, at @email.
History graduate students may take two courses outside the department for degree credit. Check SPIRE to see graduate course offerings beyond our department. Students often find relevant courses in Anthropology; English; the W.E. B. Du Bois Department of African American Studies; Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning; Public Policy; Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies, and other programs around campus.