History
2015-2016

Admission | Courses | Program | Requirements | Profile

Chairperson:  Simon Cordery
Graduate Committee Chairperson: Edward Woell
Office:  Morgan Hall 438
Telephone: (309) 298-1053 Fax: (309) 298-2540
E-mail: ej-woell@wiu.edu
Website:  wiu.edu/history
Location of Program Offering: Macomb

Graduate Faculty
Professors

  • Virginia R. Boynton, Ph.D., The Ohio State University
  • Lee Brice, Ph.D., University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
  • Peter Cole, Ph.D., Georgetown University
  • Simon Cordery, Ph.D., University of Texas-Austin
  • Greg Hall, Ph.D., Washington State University
  • Jennifer McNabb, Ph.D., University of Colorado-Boulder
  • Scott W. Palmer, Ph.D., University of Illinois
  • Edward Woell, Ph.D., Marquette University

Associate Professors

  • Ute Chamberlin, Ph.D., Arizona State University
  • Richard Filipink, Ph.D., SUNY at Buffalo
  • Virginia G. Jelatis, Ph.D., University of Minnesota
  • Febe Pamonag, Ph.D., University of Alberta
  • Timothy M. Roberts, Ph.D., University of Oxford

Assistant Professor

  • Roberto Mazza, Ph.D., University of London

 Program Description

The Department of History offers work leading to the Master of Arts degree. The Department of History’s MA program is designed to train students in the methodological and theoretical components of academic history and in broad areas of historical study and analysis. The program prepares students for careers in teaching, academia, law, public and government service, publishing, and research, as well as other professions. The program also assists in the professional development of full-time teachers and other educators, and provides the basis for further graduate study.

 Admission Requirements

Students selecting history as a graduate major should have completed a minimum of 18 semester hours of undergraduate work in history and must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 (based on all hours attempted) or a GPA of at least 3.0 for the last two years of undergraduate study.

 Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts degree in history may be earned by one of three plans of study.

Plan I. Thesis

Students choosing the Thesis plan must first secure approval from the graduate director and the consent of a professor who is willing to direct the thesis before pursuing this option. The Thesis Option requires 31 semester hours of course work, including the completion of a master’s-level history thesis. The student writes the thesis in his/her major field, which is customarily in US or European history. The student can request to write a thesis in another field, but only after securing the approval of the thesis advisor, the graduate director, and the graduate committee. Two research seminars are required in this plan. Students should commit to the thesis option no later than the second semester in the MA program. Because the student will need to do background reading, research, writing, and work with a committee of at least three readers/advisors, students should allow three semesters (and summer break) for the process. To earn the master’s degree the student must successfully defend the thesis (Exit Option A) upon its completion.

Students in the thesis plan must enroll in the following:

HIST 500 Historical Theory and Methods: 4 s.h.
Major field of study (5 courses): 15 s.h.
Minor field of study (2 courses): 6 s.h.
HIST 600 Thesis Research: 3 s.h.
HIST 601 Thesis: 3 s.h.

TOTAL PROGRAM: 31 s.h.

Plan II. Special Project

Students choosing the Special Project plan must first secure the approval of the graduate director and the consent of a professor who is willing to direct the Special Project. The Special Project requires 35 semester hours on topics spread across a variety of geographic areas. Students are required to choose their major and minor areas of study. In addition to the courses that cover the major/minor areas, students must also complete History 500, two research seminars, one readings seminar in the major field, and History 698 and 699. The project must be approved by the graduate advisor and graduate committee. Possible projects include, but are not limited to, the following: presenting a professional conference paper, editing a series of primary documents, writing a paper for publication, conducting and transcribing oral history interviews, and curating museum displays. Students must enroll in History 599 for at least 4 semester hours to complete the Special Project. Students are required to successfully complete Exit Option B, the comprehensive written and oral exams, in their last semester of course work. These exams include questions on the methodology and the significance of the Special Project. The professor supervising the Special Project must be on the examination committee.

Students in the Special Project plan must enroll in the following:

HIST 500 Methods of Historical Research: 4 s.h.
Major field of study (5 courses): 15 s.h.
Minor field of study (3 courses): 9 s.h.
Electives (1 course): 3 s.h.
HIST 599 Special Project: 4 s.h.
HIST 698 Written Exam: 0 s.h.
HIST 699 Non-thesis Oral Exam: 0 s.h.

Courses taken to satisfy requirements 2-4 must include at least one reading seminar in the major field and two research seminars.

TOTAL PROGRAM: 35 s.h.

Plan III. General Coursework

Students choosing the General Coursework plan must first secure the approval of the graduate director. In this plan, students are required to take 37 semester hours of courses on topics spread across a variety of geographic areas. Students must choose a major and a minor area of study. In addition to covering the major and minor areas, students must also complete History 500, two research seminars, one readings seminar in the major field, and History 698 and 699. Students are required to take Exit Option B, the comprehensive written and oral exams, in their last semester of coursework.

Students in the General Coursework plan must enroll in the following:

HIST 500 Methods of Historical Research:  4 s.h.
Major field of study (6 courses): 18 s.h.
Minor field of study (3 courses): 9 s.h.
Electives (2 courses): 6 s.h.
HIST 698 Non-thesis Written Exam: 0 s.h.
HIST 699 Non-thesis Oral Exam: 0 s.h.

Courses taken to satisfy requirements 2-4 must include at least one reading seminar in the major field and two research seminars.

TOTAL PROGRAM: 37 s.h.

The three pre-approved major fields of study are U.S., Comparative World, and European history. A student’s major field may be in another area, but students must secure permission from the graduate director and the graduate committee. The pre-approved minor fields are – based on instructor availability – United States, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Middle East, and Comparative World. The minor field may be a thematic area (e.g. gender, diplomatic, military, labor, etc.), but students must secure permission from the graduate director and the graduate committee. Prospective students should familiarize themselves with the faculty in the history department when considering major and minor fields.

 Course Descriptions

History (HIST)

400G Soviet Union, 1917-1991. (3) An intensive study of political, diplomatic, economic, social, and cultural developments in the Soviet Union from the Bolshevik revolution to the USSR’s collapse.  Prerequisite: HIST 116 or 399, or permission of the instructor.

402G (cross-listed with AAS 402G) The Civil Rights Movement. (3) An intensive study of the history of the African American civil rights movement, concentrating on the period from World War II through the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1978 Bakke decision. Prerequisite: HIST 106 or AAS 100 or permission of the instructor.

414G Early American Republic, 1800-1848. (3) An intensive study of the development of the United States from 1800 to 1848, emphasizing the development of political culture within the expanding nation, among post-revolutionary Americans. Prerequisite: HIST 105 or permission of the instructor.

420G Capstone Seminar: Illinois History. (3) A study of periods and themes in the history of Illinois including social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental change. Prerequisite: HIST 105, 106 and 201; ENG 280; or permission of instructor.

421G Seminar in Global Environmental History. (3) This thematic seminar is an in-depth comparative, historical study of the interactions between humans and the natural environment from 1500 to the present. HIST 116 or HIST 316 or permission of the instructor.

423G The Vietnam War and Its Times. (3) A seminar on the Vietnam War, with particular emphasis on domestic, social, and political emphasis on domestic, social, and political aspects during the 1960's.  Research in primary sources will be required. Prerequisite: HIST 106 or permission of the instructor. Prerequisite: HIST 106 or permission of the instructor.

426G The Enlightenment, 1721-1784. (3) Advanced study of a cultural revolution in the Atlantic world: a “republic” of philosophers, ideas, and debates; social institutions promoting reform; emergence of new media, mass literacy, public opinion, and private sentiment; and the broader context in which these flourished. Prerequisite: HIST 116 or permission of the instructor.

427G French Revolution and Napoleon. (3) A detailed examination of the period from 1789 to 1815 in Europe. Prerequisite: HIST 116 or permission of the instructor.

430G Topics in Ancient History. (3) Study of a theme or chronological period in Greek or Roman History. Topics will vary. Repeatable to six hours with permission of Departmental Graduate Committee. Prerequisite: HIST 115 or permission of the instructor.  

431G Alexander the Great. (3) The course examines the context of the life and achievement of Alexander III with particular focus on the impact outside Europe. Few individuals has as much of an impact on their contemporary and later world as Alexander III of Macedon. Prerequisite: HIST 320 or permission of instructor.

433G Tudor/Stuart England: 1485-1714. (3) Political, economic, cultural, and social history of early modern England during the reigns of the Tudor and Stuart monarchs, emphasizing social structures, cultural movements, religious continuity and change, and constitutional developments. Prerequisites: HIST 115, 325 or 333; or permission of the instructor.

438G Hitler’s Germany, 1919 to 1949. (3) Study of Germany from the end of World War I to its division following World War II, focusing on the Weimar Republic, rise and fall of Adolph Hitler and the Nazi Party, the Holocaust, and Germany’s postwar breakup. Prerequisite: HIST 116 or 338, or permission of the instructor.

440G Topics in Latin American History. (3, repeatable to 6) Selected topics in the social, political, economic, or intellectual history of Latin America. Topics will vary. Prerequisite: HIST 105, 106, 116, 340, or 341 as appropriate; or permission of the instructor.

444G Topics in Middle Eastern History. (3, repeatable to 6, with permission of department chairperson) Selected topics in the political, social, economic, and intellectual history of the Middle East.  Topics may vary.  Prerequisite: HIST 115 or 116 or 344, or permission of the instructor.

482G Topics in European History. (3, repeatable to 6, with permission) In-depth study of a theme or chronological period in European History. Topics will vary. Prerequisite: HIST 115 or 116, or permission of the instructor.

483G Topics in the History of Science & Technology. (3) In–depth study of a subject or theme in the History of Science and Technology. Topics will vary. Directed elective area I or II. Prerequisites: HIST 105, 106, 115, or 116 or permission of the instructor.

485G Topics in Asian History. (3, repeatable to 6, with permission) In-depth study of a theme or chronological period in Asian History. Topics will vary. Prerequisites: HIST 116 or 345 or 346 or 347, or permission of the instructor.

488G Topics in U.S. History. (3, repeatable to 6, with permission) In-depth study of a theme or chronological period in U.S. history from the colonial period to the present. Prerequisite: HIST 105 or 106, as appropriate, or permission of the instructor.

494G Internship. (1–12, repeatable) Supervised experience of work in archives, historical institutions, or other institutions requiring historical experience. May be repeated, but only three semester hours of credit will be applied to the minimum program requirement of 31 hours.

500 Historical Theory and Methods. (4) Seminar in the theory and practice of historical research and writing.

510 Research Seminar in U.S. History. (3, repeatable) A research-centered investigation of selected topics in American history, with special attention to application of methods of research, critical analysis, and writing. May be repeated with a change in topic. Corequisite/Prerequisite: HIST 500 or permission of the instructor.

511 Readings Seminar in U.S. History. (3, repeatable) A readings-centered investigation of selected topics in American history, with attention to historiographic issues. May be repeated with a change in topic.

512 Research Seminar in Diplomatic History. (3) A research-centered investigation of selected topics in diplomatic history, with special attention to application of methods of research, critical analysis, and writing. May be repeated with a change in topic.

513 Readings Seminar in Diplomatic History. (3, repeatable) A readings-centered investigation of selected topics in diplomatic history, with attention to historiographic issues. May be repeatable with a change in topic.

515 Readings Seminar in Military History. (3, repeatable) A readings-centered investigation of selected topics in military history, with attention to historiographic issues. May be repeated with a change in topic.

530 Research Seminar in World History. (3, repeatable) A research-centered investigation of selected topics in world history, with special attention to application of methods of research, critical analysis, and writing. May be repeated with a change in topic. Corequisite/Prerequisite: HIST 500 or permission of the instructor

531 Readings Seminar in World History. (3, repeatable) A readings-centered investigation of selected topics in world history, with attention to historiographic issues. May be repeated with a change in topic.

540 Research Seminar in European History. (3, repeatable) A research-centered investigation of selected topics in European history, with special attention to application of methods of research, critical analysis, and writing. May be repeated with a change in topic. Corequisite/Prerequisite: HIST 500 or permission of the instructor.

541 Readings Seminar in European History. (3, repeatable) A readings-centered investigation of selected topics in European history, with attention to historiographic issues. May be repeated with a change in topic.

550 Workshop. (1–3, repeatable) Offered irregularly on specific topics. May be repeated with a change in topic.

598 Readings in History. (1–3, repeatable) Individual reading. May be repeated, but a maximum of three hours will be counted toward degree requirements. Prerequisites: Six semester hours in history and approval of the Department Graduate Director.

599 Special Problems in History. (1–4, repeatable) Intensive research into areas of history not specifically covered in other courses. Credit will depend on the nature of the historical problem to be examined and the length of time required to complete the project. May be repeated, although no more than four hours may count toward a degree. Prerequisites: Six semester hours in history and approval by the Department Graduate Director.

600 Thesis Research. (1–6, repeatable) May be repeated, but only three semester hours will count toward degree requirements. Prerequisites: HIST 500 or 501, and approval of the thesis prospectus.

601 Thesis in History. (3) Prerequisite: HIST 600.

698 Non-thesis Written Exam. (0) Students in degree program II or III will take a written exam in their major field of study, which will be administered by faculty members on the written and oral exam committee, the committee of three faculty members being selected by the student and approved by the chair of the Departmental Graduate Committee. Graded S/U. Prerequisite: Permission of the Department Graduate Director.

699 Non-thesis Oral Exam. (0) Students in degree program II or III will take an oral exam in their major and minor fields of study, which will be administered by faculty members on the written and oral examination committee, the committee of three faculty members being selected by the student and approved by the chair of the Departmental Graduate Committee. Graded S/U. Prerequisite: Permission of the Department Graduate Director.