Theodore Binnema, Professor Emeritus
Charles Jago, Professor Emeritus
Gordon Martel, Professor Emeritus
William Morrison, Professor Emeritus
Jonathan Swainger, Professor Emeritus

Dana Wessell Lightfoot, Professor and Chair
Jacqueline Holler, Professor
Barrie Blatchford, Assistant Professor
Sara Farhan, Assistant Professor
Max Hamon, Assistant Professor

Website: www.unbc.ca/history

The Department of History offers the opportunity for graduate study leading to the MA degree. The program’s regional specifications are Canada, Britain and its empire, and the Iberian world. Gender, legal, environmental, and indigenous histories are particular areas of strength. Students will be accepted subject to the availability of an appropriate supervisor.

The MA program comprises two streams. Thesis students complete 15 credit hours of graduate coursework and a 100-page thesis based on original research. Project students complete 18 credit hours of coursework and a substantial project.

Upon admission to the MA program, each student is assigned a supervisor who is responsible for the student’s program and progress. There are two components to the MA program: coursework and thesis/project. Students are normally expected to complete their coursework in two semesters, and the total program in four semesters.

Admission

In addition to the admission application requirements outlined in General Admission of the Graduate Academic Calendar, applicants must also supply a sample of written work (thesis or paper) as part of their application.

Application deadlines can be found online at www.unbc.ca/admissions/graduate. The History MA Program accepts students for the September Semester.

For additional information about graduate admissions or to download application materials, go to the Office of Graduate Administration website at www.unbc.ca/graduate-programs.

Requirements

Candidates for the MA degree must satisfy the following requirements.

Thesis or Project

HIST 750-15     MA Thesis or Project

Thesis or Project students take five graduate courses (15 credit hours) and HIST 750-15. Students are required to take HIST 700, HIST 745, and three other courses selected in consultation with the student’s supervisor. With approval of their supervisors, students may take up to two courses in a related program. Students decide on their thesis or project topic, sources, and approach as part of HIST 745-3, which is normally taken in their second semester. The thesis must be based on original research, and demonstrate an understanding of historical writing and practice, as well as independent, critical thought.

Alternatively, students may complete a project of comparable weight to a thesis. Projects may include knowledge transmission, museum exhibits, documentary films, creative writing, digital history initiatives, and/or projects based on substantial historical research.

Course-Based MA

HIST 760-12     History Master’s Major Research Paper

Course-based MA students take six graduate courses (18 credit hours) and HIST 760-12. Students are required to take HIST 700, HIST 745, and four other courses selected in consultation with the student’s supervisor. With approval of their supervisors, students may take up to two courses in a related program.

Required Courses

HIST 700-3	Seminar in Historical Methodology and Research
HIST 745-3	Historical Methods and Approaches

Elective Courses

HIST 701-3	Themes in the History of Gender
HIST 702-3	Themes in Indigenous History
HIST 704-3	Themes in Environmental History
HIST 705-3	Themes in the History of International Relations
HIST 707-3	Themes in Cultural History
HIST 708-3	Themes in Social History
HIST 799-3	Independent Study

_{Updated: July 2, 2024}