Cal State East Bay Catalog 2009-2010

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Graduate Programs

History
 * Department Information
 * M.A. in History
 * Graduate Courses
Department Information

Department of History
College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Office: Meiklejohn Hall 4036.
Phone: (510) 885-3207; FAX: (510) 885-4791
Website: http://class.csueastbay.edu/history/
 
Professor Emeritus
Gerald S. Henig, Ph.D. City University of New York
 
Professors
Dee E. Andrews (Chair), Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania
Richard A. Garcia, Ph.D. University of California, Irvine
Henry F. Reichman, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley
 
Associate Professors
Sophia Lee, Ph.D. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Robert A. Phelps, Ph.D. University of California, Riverside
Nancy M. Thompson, Ph.D. Stanford University
Jessica Weiss, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley
 
Assistant Professors
Bridget Ford, Ph.D. University of California, Davis
Vahid Fozdar, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley
Nicole C. Howard, Ph.D. Indiana University
Linda Ivey, Ph.D. Georgetown University
Khal Schneider, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley
 
Lecturers
Roger L. Baldwin, M.A. University of California, Berkeley
Jeffrey M. Burns, Ph.D. University of Notre Dame
Richard B. Speed, Ph.D. University of California, Santa Barbara
 
Graduate Coordinator: Sophia Lee
 
 
Please consult the 2010-2011 online catalog for any changes that may occur.
M.A. in History

Program Description
The Master of Arts degree in History is designed to meet the varied needs and interests of students seeking an advanced degree in history. The program trains students in advanced skills in historical research, writing, and teaching. Four options permit students to plan their coursework to best suit their goals within the overall program requirements and the range of courses offered.
 
The program includes graduate course offerings in historical research and historiography, conference (seminar) courses, undergraduate or graduate elective units, and a culminating master's project. Elective units may be taken in other fields with the approval of the graduate coordinator. The master's project may be a university thesis, departmental thesis, examinations in major and minor fields, or a graduate teaching project, depending on the option chosen.
 
Because the majority of students in the master's program are employed full-time during the day, graduate courses are offered in the evening, usually on a one-night-a-week basis, in fall, winter, and spring quarters. This schedule allows students time to complete regular assignments, carry on research, and make regular progress toward the M.A. degree.
 
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with an M.A. in History from Cal State East Bay will have achieved the following:
 
Content/ Knowledge
M.A. graduates should: (1) demonstrate in-depth knowledge of at least two of the following fields, one of which must be outside the U.S.: Ancient and Medieval Europe, Modern Europe, Modern China, Modern Japan, California and the West, Early America, the Civil War, U.S. Women's History, American Intellectual History, Native American History, and/or Latin America; (2) possess an understanding of the main arguments and themes in contemporary historiography; (3) demonstrate command of a special research area; (4) demonstrate familiarity with Bay Area research libraries, archives, and special collections.
 
Skills/Methods
M.A. graduates should: (1) possess advanced writing and interpretative skills for analyzing both secondary and primary sources; (2) demonstrate advanced research abilities, in conventional historical collections and in Internet sources; (3) demonstrate the ability to complete a major independent project in history.
 
Disposition
M.A. graduates should: (1) be familiar with cross-cultural approaches to historical study and the humanistic values underlying a historical worldview; (2) adhere to the standards of academic honesty, including appropriate attribution of all sources; (3) be familiar with the values of the historical profession, including ethics and standards for work in research libraries, on the Internet, at professional conferences, and at interviews for employment.
 
Career Opportunities
The master's program is especially suited to individuals interested in enhancing their careers as secondary school teachers, in qualifying as community college faculty, or training as historical editors, archivists and Bay Area or California historians. It is also useful for individuals interested in retraining for careers in history or in preparing for doctoral programs in history.
 
Faculty
Although most graduate students find it convenient to specialize in American and California history, the History Department faculty also includes specialists in European, Asian, and Latin American history. Qualified graduate students may usually carry out research and specialize in these areas as well. The full-time faculty are professional scholars, widely published in their respective fields and active in regional and national historical associations. The department has many years' experience in advising and training master's students in history.
 
Option Areas
The master's program offers four options: Thesis, Examination, Teaching, and Public History. The Thesis, Examination, and Teaching options differ chiefly in their required M.A. projects. The Public History Option has a distinct set of course requirements designed for training in that specialty.
 
Both the Thesis and Examination options are appropriate for those who plan to continue beyond the master's degree. The Teaching option is especially useful for individuals who currently teach or plan careers in teaching. The Public History option prepares students for non-academic work in history, such as Bay Area or California projects in the private or public sector or museum and archival work. It is generally expected that students in the Thesis and Public History options will pursue research at libraries and historical collections outside the university in completing their master's projects. Students in the Examination and Teaching options are more likely to complete their projects on campus.
 
Special Features
Research opportunities in Bay Area and California history abound at the University of California, Berkeley; the Bancroft Library; the National Archives at San Bruno; and numerous private collections in the region. The University Library provides excellent reference, Internet, and interlibrary loan services and contains substantial print and microfilm holdings.
 
Scholarships
Qualified history graduate students are eligible for graduate financial aid through the loan and fellowship programs administered by the Financial Aid Office. Small scholarships of $100 to $500, pending available funds, are awarded annually to assist graduate students in completing their master's projects.
 
Admission
Admission to the master's program generally requires a B.A. degree major in History, or the equivalent, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 ("B") in the last two years of undergraduate work and 3.25 ("B+") in history. A one-page statement of purpose and two letters of recommendation must accompany applications. Interested students with degrees in related disciplines, such as American Studies, Ethnic Studies, Political Science, Art or Theater History, and Literature, and suitable academic backgrounds in history are encouraged to apply but will be required to enroll in the university as "Unclassified Postbaccalaureate" students to complete prerequisite coursework in history.
 
Students without necessary background in research or writing may also be admitted to the program as "Conditionally Classified Graduate" students with the requirement that they complete HIST 4030 and/or 4031 at a specified grade level before being admitted to "Classified Graduate" status. Students meeting all admissions requirements, and who have satisfied the University Writing Skills Requirement, are eligible to be admitted as "Classified Graduate" students. Applicants should consult with the History Graduate Coordinator for advising. For information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the testing Web site at www.testing.csueastbay.edu or call 510.885.3661.
 
 
Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts degree in History consists of 45 units. Each of the four options in the master's program requires a prescribed program of 45 units listed below. Reading proficiency in a foreign language is strongly encouraged, especially for those planning to pursue doctoral degrees or research careers.
 
I. Thesis Option (45 units)
 
A. Required Courses (17 units)
HIST 6010 Seminar in History (5)
HIST 6030 Graduate Historiography (4)
HIST 6910 University Thesis (8)
 
B. Conference Course (16 units)
Four courses, including repeats, from the following in at least two areas. One Conference Course must be in the general area of the thesis topic.
 
HIST 6100 Conference Course in Ancient and Medieval History (4)
HIST 6200 Conference Course in European History (4)
HIST 6300 Conference Course in Asian History (4)
HIST 6400 Conference Course in United States History (4)
 
C. Electives (12 units)
Twelve (12) units of upper division or graduate courses in History.
 
D. Complete an approved University Thesis. (See HIST 6910 under "Required Courses" for this option.)
 
II. Examination Option (45 units)
 
A. Required Courses (13 units)
HIST 6010 Seminar in History (5)
HIST 6030 Graduate Historiography (4)
Four units of HIST 6909 Departmental Thesis (1-4)
 
B. Conference Courses (20 units)
Five courses, including repeats, from the following in at least two areas:
 
HIST 6100 Conference Course in Ancient and Medieval History (4)
HIST 6200 Conference Course in European History (4)
HIST 6300 Conference Course in Asian History (4)
HIST 6400 Conference Course in United States History (4)
 
C. Electives (12 units)
Twelve (12) units of upper division or graduate courses in History.
 
D. Comprehensive Examination
Pass comprehensive written examinations in major and minor fields as prescribed by the department.
 
III. Teaching Option (45 units)
 
A. Required Courses (17 units)
HIST 6010 Seminar in History (5)
HIST 6030 Graduate Historiography (4)
HIST 6909 Departmental Thesis (4)
HIST 6900 Independent Study (4)
 
B. Conference Courses (16 units)
Four courses, including repeats, from the following in at least two areas:
 
HIST 6100 Conference Course in Ancient and Medieval History (4)
HIST 6200 Conference Course in European History (4)
HIST 6300 Conference Course in Asian History (4)
HIST 6400 Conference Course in United States History (4)
HIST 6500 Conference in Latin American History (4)
 
C. Electives (12 units)
Twelve (12) units of upper division or graduate courses in History.
 
D. Departmental Thesis
Complete an approved Department Thesis. (See HIST 6909 under "Required Courses" for this option.)
 
IV. Public History Option (45 units)
 
A. Required Courses (25 units)
HIST 4032 Introduction to Public History (4)
HIST 6010 Seminar in History (5)
HIST 6030 Graduate Historiography (4)
HIST 6400 Conference Course in United States History (4)
HIST 6901 Internship in Public History (5)
HIST 6909 Departmental Thesis (3)
 
 
B. Conference Courses (12 units)
Three courses, including repeats, from the following in at least two areas:
 
HIST 6100 Conference Course in Ancient and Medieval History (4)
HIST 6200 Conference Course in European History (4)
HIST 6300 Conference Course in Asian History (4)
HIST 6400 Conference Course in United States History (4)
HIST 6500 Conference in Latin American History (4)
 
 
C. Electives (8 units)
Eight units of upper division or graduate courses in History.
 
Recommended Skills Courses: With the approval of the Public History and Internship Coordinator, select two or three courses in other disciplines specific to professional goals.
 
D. Internship and Department Thesis
Complete an approved Internship and Department Thesis. (See HIST 6901 and HIST 6909 under "Required Courses" for this option.)
 
Upper Division Courses Acceptable for the Master's Degree
All History courses in the 3000-4000 series except 3400, 4030, and 4031 are acceptable courses in a master's program.
 
Advancement to Candidacy
In addition students must meet the requirements of Advancement to Candidacy confirming that a student is prepared to finish the degree and is recommended as a degree candidate. A Classified Graduate student in good standing is eligible to be advanced to candidacy for the master's degree after:
 
1. completing 12 quarter units applicable to the degree program
 
2. completing HIST 6010 and 6030
 
3. submitting a proposal for the Master's thesis, project, or two fields of examination to the Graduate Committee
 
4. obtaining the Graduate Coordinator's approval of the student's committee, comprised of at least two faculty members.
Graduate Courses

The course prefix for the following courses is HIST.
 
6010  
 
Seminar in History (5)
Historical methodology including critical analysis and use of source materials, research and writing. Investigation of selected topics in political, economic, diplomatic, intellectual, and social history. Reports and discussion. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
 
6030  
 
Graduate Historiography (4)
Intensive readings in the classics of historical writing and the philosophy of history. Written critical analyses, both in- and out-of-class, are required. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Open only to postbaccalaureate students.
 
6100  
 
Conference Course in Ancient and Medieval History (4)
Readings and discussion in the significant historical literature of ancient and medieval Europe emphasizing the chief areas of historical controversy and interpretation. Study of the major historians. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated once for credit with other professors, for a maximum of 8 units.
 
6200  
 
Conference Course in European History (4)
Readings and discussion in the significant historical literature of modern Europe emphasizing the chief areas of historical controversy and interpretation. Study of the major historians. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated once for credit with other professors, for a maximum of 8 units..
 
 
6300  
 
Conference Course in Asian History (4)
Readings and discussion in the significant historical literature of Asia emphasizing the chief areas of historical controversy and interpretation. Study of the major historians. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated for additional credit with other professors.
 
 
6400  
 
Conference Course in United States History (4)
Readings and discussion in the significant historical literature of the United States emphasizing the chief areas of historical controversy and interpretation. Study of the major historians. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit with other professors, for a maximum of 16 units.
 
6898  
 
Cooperative Education (1-4)
Supervised work experience in which student completes academic assignments integrated with off-campus paid or volunteer activities. Prerequisites: at least a 3.0 GPA; departmental approval of activity. A maximum of 5 units will be accepted toward the History major. May be repeated for credit for a maximum of 5 units.
 
6899  
 
Project (1-4)
Development of an original product which is summarized in a written abstract. Both the project and the abstract are submitted to the department which specifies their formats. Supervision by a departmental committee, at least one of whom must be a Cal State East Bay faculty member. Oral defense may be required. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
 
6900  
 
Independent Study (1-4)
 
6901  
 
Internship in Public History (1-5)
Supervised field work in non-academic settings, such as museums, libraries, archives, private business and government agencies, or historical preservation programs. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit, for a maximum of 5 units.
 
6909  
 
Departmental Thesis (1-4)
Development and writing of a research paper for submission to the department which specifies its format. Supervision by a departmental committee, at least one of whom must be a Cal State East Bay faculty member. Oral defense normally required. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
 
6910  
 
University Thesis (1-8)
Development and writing of a formal research paper for submission to the University in the specified bound format. Supervision by a departmental committee, at least one of whom must be a Cal State East Bay faculty member. Oral defense normally required. (The University Thesis Writing Guide is available in Warren Hall, room 859.) Prerequisite: graduate standing.
 
6999  
 
Issues in History (4)
Readings, discussion, and research on contemporary and/or significant issues in history. May be repeated for credit when content varies, for a maximum of 8 units.
 
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