205
Graduate Programs
205.31
History and Classics
205.31 History and Classics
Department of History and Classics
2-28 Tory Building
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H4
E-mail: Lydia.Dugbazah@ualberta.ca
www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/historyandclassics/
205.31.1 General Information
The Department of History and Classics has programs leading to the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy.
The Department offers two course-based Classics MAs: one in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, and classical studies), where some concentration is possible in classical literature or ancient history; the other in Classical Archaeology, which offers an opportunity to pursue archaeological fieldwork. The PhD in Classics is also offered in both Classical Languages and Classical Archaeology.
MA and PhD programs in History are offered in the following areas: Africa and the Middle East; British Empire; Modern Britain; Canada; China, Japan, and Korea; Medieval England; Early Modern England; Medieval Europe; Early Modern Western Europe; Modern Western Europe; Latin America; Russia and Eastern Europe; United States; Science, Medicine, and Technology; and Women. The MA may be either course-based or thesis-based.
The Department also offers a thesis-based MA in Ancient Societies and Cultures, with an emphasis on inter- and cross-disciplinary approaches.
The application deadline for September admission is normally early January. For the exact date and any additional information, contact the Graduate Chair, History and Classics.
Entrance Requirements
The Department's minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an average of 3.5 in the last two years of undergraduate work (or graduate work) at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution, and a TOEFL score of 95 (internet-based) or 580 (paper-based) as applicable (see §203.2.4).
Modern Language Requirements
All candidates for the MA and PhD must demonstrate competence in reading at least one modern language other than English. In all programs the language requirement may be met by passing a translation examination administered by the Department or by taking and passing 
6 in second-year or higher coursework, with at least a grade of B+. Exemptions from language examinations may be granted under certain specific conditions. Further details on language requirements are found in the Higher Degrees Brochure available from the Department.
Financial Assistance
The Department annually appoints a number of graduate research and teaching assistants. At the time of application, prospective graduate students should indicate whether they wish to be considered for an assistantship, but no appointment will be offered to any student until he/she has been formally admitted to graduate studies. Graduate students are also eligible for various University fellowships and bursaries. For details see www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca
205.31.2 The Degree of MA in Classics
The MA in Classical Languages and the MA in Classical Archaeology have different entrance and program requirements. Both programs should be able to be completed in three or four terms (one of which may be the Spring or Summer term), depending on the student’s preparation and course selection.
205.31.2.1 MA in Classical Languages
Entrance Requirements
In addition to general Departmental requirements, students must have a BA with a major in Classics, with the equivalent of GREEK 101/102 and 301/302 and LATIN 101/102 and 301/302 and 9 at the 400-level in Greek and/or Latin.
Students who have less preparation in the languages, but are otherwise well qualified for graduate study, may be considered for admission as qualifying students.
Program Requirements
Students must take and pass a minimum of seven graduate-level courses (21) in CLASS, GREEK, and/or LATIN, including at least three (9) in Greek or Latin and two (6) in the other language [one (3) may be taken outside Classics]; successfully complete two consecutive registrations in CLASS 900 (3), which requires an examination on primary and/or secondary sources relevant to the research topic and a research paper of 40-50 pages; take and pass CLASS 501 (1); and fulfil the modern language requirement in French, German or Italian.
205.31.2.2 MA in Classical Archaeology
Entrance Requirements
In addition to general Departmental requirements, students must have a BA with a major in Classics, with the equivalent of at least 6 of (Ancient) Greek or Latin at the 100-level and with eight courses (24) in Classics at the 200-level or above, at least two (6) of which must be at the 400-level. Students with a major in Archaeology, Anthropology, History, or Art History may also be accepted, provided that they have taken at least six courses (18) in Classics at the 200-level or above.
Program Requirements
Students must take and pass a minimum of six (18) graduate-level courses, of which at least three (9) must be in Classics (others will normally be in Anthropology or in a discipline such as History, Art History, or Museum Studies, and must be approved by the Department); take and pass two consecutive registrations in CLASS 900 (3), which requires an examination on primary and/or secondary sources relevant to the research topic and a research paper of 40-50 pages; take and pass CLASS 501 (1); and fulfil the modern language requirement in French, German or Italian.
205.31.3 The Degree of MA in History
Entrance Requirements
Students holding a four-year Honors or Special BA in History from the University of Alberta, or a comparable degree from another university, may be admitted to the status of candidate for the MA degree. Students who lack the above qualification, but who hold an acceptable bachelor's degree (or its equivalent), may be admitted as a qualifying graduate student; as such, the student will be expected to complete additional courses before proceeding to the MA program proper.
Qualifying graduate students must normally take ten (30) courses, at least 18 of them in History courses. The courses, usually senior undergraduate courses at the 300- or 400-level, will be chosen in consultation with the Graduate Chair. Students must attain a grade point average of 3.5, with no single grade below B-. Students should also plan to complete the language requirement by the end of their qualifying year; advancement to candidacy status may be delayed until it is fulfilled.
Program Requirements
Both the course-based MA in History and the thesis-based MA in History may be subsequently used as a qualification for application to the PhD program. Students must declare which program they intend to follow at the beginning of their graduate studies. Any students wishing to change their program must seek the approval of the Graduate Committee.
For students specializing in Canadian History, the modern language requirement will normally be French (in appropriate cases, the Graduate Committee may permit another language to be substituted at the MA level). For all other students, the specific language requirement(s) will be determined in consultation with the student’s supervisor.
Thesis MA in History: Students must take and pass one of HIST 601 ( | |
Course-based MA in History: Students must take and pass one of HIST 601 (
|
Length of Program
The time required to complete the MA will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; however, a minimum of 12 months is normally required.
205.31.4 The Degree of MA in Ancient Societies and Cultures
Entrance Requirements
In addition to general Departmental requirements, students should hold a BA degree either in Classics or History or a suitable related field (e.g., Religious Studies, Philosophy, Anthropology) and must demonstrate appropriate preparation for the desired program of study, including a level of language proficiency to conduct research on the primary sources, as applicable to the student’s program (e.g., suitable preparation in Greek, Hebrew, Latin and/or Sanskrit).
Program Requirements
Students must take and pass CLASS 501 (1); take and pass a minimum of six (18) graduate-level courses, at least two of which (6) must be courses related to the student’s chosen area of specialization; fulfill the modern language requirement with French, German, Italian, or another language appropriate to the area of specialization; and write a thesis, the text of which should normally be not more than 100 pages in length. Depending on the student’s preparation and chosen area of specialization, an intermediate-level language examination in a second ancient language or 6 at the senior undergraduate level with a minimum grade of B or equivalent in that language may be required.
Length of Program
Students should be able to complete the program in three or four terms depending on preparation and course selection.
205.31.5 The Degree of PhD in Classics
Course requirements, language proficiency, and length of program for both the PhD in Classical Languages and the PhD in Classical Archaeology depend to some extent on the student's previous training and the student's anticipated needs for the chosen area of specialization. Four to six years are normally required to complete the program.
The minimum period of residence is two academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
205.31.5.1 PhD in Classical Languages
The PhD in Classical Languages is a broad-based program leading to a general qualification in Classics. Students are encouraged to explore all aspects of the ancient Greek and Roman cultures in courses, preparation for qualifying exams, and the thesis.
Entrance Requirements
In addition to general Departmental requirements, students must have an MA in Classics or the equivalent.
Program Requirements
Courses:
Students must take and pass nine (27) graduate-level courses, including at least three (9) in Greek and three (9) in Latin and two (6) in History and/or Art and Archaeology [one (3) may be a directed study in the proposed area of research and one (3) may be taken outside Classics]; and CLASS 501 (1).
Modern language requirement:
Students must fulfil modern language requirements in German and in French or Italian. (Completion of a language requirement for a recent MA degree will satisfy the requirement for the PhD.)
Comprehensive examinations:
Students must pass three written comprehensive examinations: one in Greek language and literature; one in Latin language and literature; and one in a special field of the student's choosing that is not directly related to the general field of research. The language and literature examinations are based on the Departmental reading list and consist of two parts, one testing translation skills and the other testing general knowledge of the development of the relevant literature. The third written examination is based on a reading list drawn up by the student and assessors, and consists of one to three broad questions. After the written examinations have been taken, there is an oral examination that covers all three fields.
It is expected that students will take the qualifying examinations by the middle of their third year.
Candidacy examination:
An oral examination on the student's general field of research for the thesis, including consideration of the student's thesis proposal is designed to assess whether the student has (1) an adequate knowledge of the discipline and of the subject matter relevant to the thesis, and (2) the ability to pursue and complete original research at an advanced level.
It is recommended that students take the oral candidacy examination by the end of their third year.
Thesis and final oral examination:
The final oral examination will be on the student's thesis, the text of which should normally be 200-300 pages in length.
205.31.5.2 PhD in Classical Archaeology
Course work can normally be completed in one year, but for students deficient in a required language an additional year may be necessary.
Entrance Requirements
In addition to general Departmental requirements, students must have an MA in Classics or the equivalent.
Program Requirements
Courses:
Students must take and pass six (18) graduate-level courses, including at least three (9) from the Department of History and Classics at the 500-600 level; two (6) courses at the 500-level in Greek or Latin (as is appropriate to the field of study), which may be included among those satisfying the preceding requirement; and CLASS 501 (*1).
Modern Language requirement:
Students must fulfil the Departmental language requirements in two modern languages relevant to the student's field of study.
Comprehensive examinations:
Students must pass two written comprehensive examinations: one on the major ancient literary and archaeological sources relevant to the study of Classical or Hellenistic Greek art, monuments and topography; and one on the major ancient literary and archaeological sources relevant to the study of Roman Republican or Imperial art, monuments and topography. After the written examinations have been taken, there is an oral examination that covers both fields.
It is recommended that students take the oral candidacy examination by the middle of their third year.
Candidacy examination:
An oral examination on the student's thesis proposal is designed to assess whether the student has (1) an adequate knowledge of the discipline and of the subject matter relevant to the thesis, and (2) the ability to pursue and complete original research at an advanced level.
It is recommended that students take the oral candidacy examination by the end of their third year.
Thesis and final oral examination:
The final oral examination will be on the student's thesis, the text of which should normally be 200-300 pages in length.
205.31.6 The Degree of PhD in History
The minimum period of residence for the PhD in History is two academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta. The time required to complete the program will vary according to the previous training of the student and the nature of the research undertaken; however, four to six years are normally required.
Entrance Requirements
Students proposing to enter a PhD in History program are expected to hold an acceptable MA degree or its equivalent. In exceptional cases a student admitted as a candidate for the MA may subsequently be permitted to enter the PhD program without writing a master's thesis.
Program Requirements
A candidate must: take and pass two of HIST 601 (3), 603 (3), 604 (3), 605 (3) or 610 (3) or SOC 519 (3) if the student does not hold credit in equivalent courses acceptable to the Department; take and pass 9 or 12 in 600-level history courses, depending on previously taken courses offered in satisfaction of the preceding section (students who have already satisfied the preceding section must take and pass 12 in 600-level history courses; those who offer one previously taken course in satisfaction of the preceding section must take and pass an additional 9 in 600-level history courses; those who offer no courses in satisfaction of the preceding section must take and pass an additional 9 in 600-level history courses); take and pass HIST 602 (1) if the student has not previously done so; and fulfil the language requirement. For students specializing in Canadian History, the modern language requirement will normally be French; for all other students, the specific language requirement(s) will be determined in consultation with the student's supervisor. In addition, the student may be required to pass a second language examination, but the Department never requires any student to pass examinations in more than two languages other than English. The student must also submit a thesis proposal of ten to twenty pages based on some preliminary research.
Upon completing the requirements outlined above (normally not later than 18 months after entering the program), the candidate will be expected to pass comprehensive examinations in three fields. The construction of the fields is flexible and explained fully in the Department's Higher Degrees Brochure. These fields will be: (1) general field; (2) special thesis field; and (3) thematic, theoretical, methodological and/or comparative field. These fields must be approved by the Graduate Committee of the Department. Students write an examination in each field, and then take an oral examination that covers all the fields.
If the candidate passes the comprehensive examinations, the candidate will be permitted to proceed to the candidacy examination. Upon successful completion of the candidacy examination, students will advance to formal candidacy for the PhD.
A student who has been admitted to candidacy for the PhD may proceed to the degree by completing a thesis, the text of which should normally be 250-400 pages in length.
205.31.7 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the following subject headings:
Classics (CLASS)
Greek (GREEK)
History (HIST)
Latin (LATIN)
