COURSE CODE: HIST 5006, Methods in Historical Research I
FACULTY MEMBER: Any Graduate Faculty Member in the History Department
2012-13
2013-14
CALENDAR COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course explores recent historiographical trends and various methodologies and theoretical
perspectives in a broad area of historical study. In this course students explore themes in
Canadian history. Course offering and content vary from year to year according to the
instructor’s research interest and expertise.
EXPECTATIONS OR OUTPUTS (6-8 WHICH STUDENTS WILL DO IN THE COURSE
AND I WILL MEASURE):
BY THE END OF THE COURSE STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
1. develop and demonstrate a detailed understanding of one or more major themes in the
theory and practice of the discipline of history.
2. analyze and be able to critically evaluate several major debates in philosophy and
practice of history.
3. actively participate in and contribute to the development of complex ideas based on a
common set of scholarly readings in seminar discussions.
4. analyze and be able to critically evaluate the methodological and/or theoretical
approaches to various types of history.
5. communicate ideas in writing using clear, correct, and persuasive prose.
6. write graduate-level essays that begin to demonstrate the ability to contribute to the ongoing discussion about the philosophy and practice of history.
7. contribute to in-class activities in a productive and collegial manner.
OUTCOMES (WHAT WILL RESULT FROM SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE
COURSE— INTELLECTUAL GAINS/GOALS/SKILLS/EFFECTIVE BEHAVIOURS,
ETC. WHICH TIE BACK INTO PROGRAMME EXPECTATIONS):
SUCCESSFUL GRADUATES OF THIS COURSE WILL DEMONSTRATE:
1. detailed knowledge and understanding of one or more themes in the theory and practice
of the discipline of history, including the ability to assess these themes critically.
2. the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, clearly, and persuasively both in
writing graduate-level substantive papers and orally through debate and seminar
discussion.
3. an understanding of and ability to assess the ways in which theories and practices of
historical inquiry have changed over time, as well as of the usefulness and limitations of
these theories and practices.
4. the ability to demonstrate understanding, critically evaluate, and apply one or more
theoretical and/or methodological approaches relevant to the theory and practice of
history.
5. the ability to utilize a variety of theoretical and/or methodological approaches to the
practice of history in the development of their own academic and/or professional pursuits.
6. the ability to evaluate the research and writing of colleagues.
HIST 5007: Methods in Historical Research II
Coordinated by the sitting Graduate Coordinator
2012-13
2013-14
Calendar Course Description:
In this team-taught course students will explore the historical literature relevant to their particular
area of interest and prepare and present publicly a research proposal for their Major Research
Paper.
EXPECTATIONS OR OUTPUTS (6-8 which students will do in the course and I will
measure):
By the end of the course students will be able to:
1. apply their understanding of one or more major themes in the theory and practice of
the discipline of history to their research project.
2. develop a coherent methodology to structure their research project.
3. situate their research project within the historiographies relevant to their topic.
4. explain the relevance/importance of their research.
5. critique their peer’s work in a constructive manner and, conversely, adjust and refine
their own work based on peer and professor feedback.
6. produce a coherent proposal for their Major Research Paper.
OUTCOMES (what will result from successful completion of the course— intellectual
gains/goals/skills/effective behaviours, etc. which tie back into programme expectations):
Successful graduates of this course will demonstrate:
1. the ability to devise and sustain analytical arguments employing appropriate theoretical
and/or methodological approaches to historical research and inquiry.
2. an advanced understanding of a particular historical issue derived from preliminary
original historical research in primary sources as well as an assessment of the relevant
secondary literature.
3. the research skills, analytical abilities, and writing ability needed to complete their Major
Research Paper.
HIST 5106, 5107, 5116, 5117: Canadian history
Faculty Member: faculty with expertise in Canadian history
2012-13
2013-14
Calendar Course Description:
In this course students will explore themes in Canadian history. Course offering and content vary
from year to year according to the instructor’s research interest and expertise.
EXPECTATIONS OR OUTPUTS (6-8 which students will do in the course and I will
measure):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
By the end of the course students will be able to:
develop and demonstrate a detailed understanding of one or more major themes in
Canadian history.
analyze and be able to critically evaluate the major debates in Canadian history relevant
to the chosen topic.
actively participate in and contribute to the development of complex ideas in seminar
discussion.
analyze and be able to critically evaluate the methodological and/or theoretical
approaches relevant to the chosen topic.
communicate ideas in writing use clear, correct and persuasive prose.
write graduate-level essays that begin to demonstrate the ability to contribute to the
writing of Canadian history.
contribute to in-class activities in a productive and collegial manner.
OUTCOMES (what will result from successful completion of the course— intellectual
gains/goals/skills/effective behaviours, etc. which tie back into programme expectations):
Successful graduates of this course will demonstrate:
1. detailed knowledge and understanding of one or more themes in Canadian history,
including the ability to assess these themes critically in terms of both their usefulness
and their limitations.
2. the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively and clearly orally through
debate and discussion and in writing using clear and persuasive prose.
3. the ability to demonstrate understanding of, critically evaluate, and apply one or more
theoretical and/or methodological approaches relevant to the chosen topic.
4. the ability to write graduate-level papers of significant length.
5. the ability to evaluate the research and writing of colleagues.
HIST 5206/5207/5216/5217: European History MA Seminar
Any Faculty with expertise in European history
2012-13
2013-14
Course Description
In this course students explore themes in European history. Course offering and content vary
from year to year according to the instructor’s research interest and expertise.
Learning Expectations
By the end of the course students will be able to:
1. classify historical scholarship according to historiographical approach.
2. construct logical and intellectual connections between different works of historical
scholarship.
3. categorize secondary works by situating historiography in its historical-intellectual
context.
4. produce polished and nuanced analyses of historical scholarship.
5. critique historical scholarship with respect to its agenda or motivation.
Outcomes
Successful graduates of this course will demonstrate:
1. a thorough understanding of the current state of research and historiographical debate in a
particular area of European history
2. a thorough understanding of the key methodological and theoretical approaches in the
study of European history
3. the ability to critically reassess existing historiographical interpretations on a particular
historical topic, theme, or issue within European history
Hist 5306, 5307, 5316, 5317: International History
Any faculty member with expertise in international history: prepared by James Murton,
Stephen Connor
2012-13
2013-14
Calendar Course Description:
In this course students explore themes in International history. Course offering and content vary
from year to year according to the instructor’s research interest and expertise.
EXPECTATIONS OR OUTPUTS (6-8 which students will do in the course and I will
measure):
By the end of the course students will be able to
1. analyze and be able to critically evaluate the major debates in international history
that are relevant to the chosen topic
2. actively participate in seminar discussion and contribute to the class’s understanding
of the assigned material
3. write two or more graduate level essays that clearly and critically evaluate major
arguments
4. write clear, logical, and sustained arguments in coherent and persuasive prose
5. express and debate complex historical arguments orally
6. begin to develop the ability to contribute to the writing of international history by
developing a thorough understanding of at least one historiographical debate
OUTCOMES (what will result from successful completion of the course— intellectual
gains/goals/skills/effective behaviours, etc. which tie back into programme expectations):
Successful graduates of this course will demonstrate
1. knowledge of the major debates in the areas of international history focused on in
the course and an ability to critically evaluate one or more of these debates
2. the ability to communicate advanced ideas and arguments orally as well as the
ability to sustain clear, logical, correct and persuasive arguments in papers of
significant length
3. an understanding of and ability to assess the ways in which the study of the field
of international history has changed over time, as well as of the usefulness and
limitations of these changes
4. the ability to conduct independent research and study to identify and advance their
own academic and/or professional goals
HISTORY 5406/5407/5416/5417: Gender History
Any faculty member with expertise in Gender History, prepared by Dr. Anne Clendinning
2012-13
2013-14
Course Description
In this course, students explore themes in the history of gender. Course offering and content vary
from year to year according to the instructor’s interest and expertise.
EXPECTATIONS
BY THE END OF THE COURSE STUDENTS WILL:
1. demonstrate an advanced knowledge of a selected theme in the history of twentiethcentury Britain
2. identify and demonstrate understanding of the various methodological approaches used
by historians and the contributions of other relevant disciplines including gender studies,
sociology and anthropology
3. use advanced research skills to locate, analyze, evaluate and interpret primary and
secondary sources as these sources pertain to their self-determined research topic
4. demonstrate the ability to communicate logical, analytical and comparative historical
arguments in clear concise prose
5. participate in advanced critical discussion of course material and assigned readings
6. offer thoughtful critique and meaningful peer review of fellow student work in a
classroom setting
OUTCOMES
SUCCESSFUL GRADUATES OF THE COURSE WILL DEMONSTRATE:
1. an understanding to the ways that historians use primary and secondary sources and
rhetorical language to construct narratives and debates about the past
2. advanced oral and written communication skills consistent with professional behavior
3. an ability to formulate and undertake independent research and study
HIST 5506: Directed Studies
2012-13
2013-14
Calendar Course Description:
This is an individualized study course which allows students to explore the historiography of a
subject area other than that presented in the field courses offered.
EXPECTATIONS OR OUTPUTS (6-8 which students will do in the course and I will
measure):
By the end of the course students will be able to:
1. identify, demonstrate understanding of, and analyze broad themes on a specific
historical era or area.
2. analyze and evaluate the historiographical contribution of key monographs and/or
journal articles on a specific historical era or area.
3. analyze and discuss a variety of arguments and perspectives on a specified
subject.
4. engage in significant self-directed study.
5. articulate, both orally and in writing, their own assessment of the state of
historiographical debate on specified subjects within a specific historical era or
area.
6. exhibit a broad understanding of the historiographical debates that have shaped
historical understanding of the era in question through various written
assignments and face-to-face meetings.
OUTCOMES (what will result from successful completion of the course— intellectual
gains/goals/skills/effective behaviours, etc. which tie back into programme expectations):
Successful graduates of this course will demonstrate:
1. the ability to devise and sustain analytical arguments employing appropriate
theoretical and/or methodological approaches to historical research and inquiry.
2. the ability to gather, review, comprehend, and evaluate secondary sources from a
specific area or period in History, including the ability to compare the merits of
and discriminate between different historical approaches and interpretations.
3. a broad understanding of a particular historiographical debate derived from an
assessment of the relevant secondary literature.
HIST 5595: Major Research Paper
2012-13
2013-14
Calendar Course Description:
In this course completion of a Major Research Paper (MRP) is required. The MRP will be
approximately 50 pages in length. The research project must be approved by the supervisory
committee. The paper must demonstrate primary research or an original historiographical
approach and must be defended before an examination committee.
EXPECTATIONS OR OUTPUTS (6-8 which students will do in the course and I will
measure):
By the end of the course students will be able to:
1. identify, demonstrate understanding of, and analyze key themes and issues on a
specific historical topic.
2. develop and employ a coherent methodology suited to their particular research
project.
3. analyze and critique a variety of arguments and historiographical perspectives
particular to their research project.
4. situate their project within the historiography and defend its relevance.
5. engage in significant self-directed study using original source material.
6. develop, research, and articulate a persuasive argument in a major research paper
of approximately 50 pages.
OUTCOMES (what will result from successful completion of the course— intellectual
gains/goals/skills/effective behaviours, etc. which tie back into programme expectations):
Successful graduates of this course will demonstrate:
1. the ability to devise and sustain analytical arguments employing appropriate
theoretical and/or methodological approaches to historical research and inquiry.
2. a detailed understanding of a particular historical issue derived from original
historical research in primary sources as well as an assessment of the relevant
secondary literature.
3. the research skills, analytical abilities, and writing ability needed for further
advanced study.