History MA

Program Overview

The MA in History at Ulster University offers a comprehensive program with a focus on Ireland, Europe, and global history. It emphasizes digital humanities and public history skills, providing students with hands-on experience through field trips and project-based learning. The program prepares graduates for careers in academia, research, public history, and various other fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Award: Master of Arts (MA)
• Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• School: School of Arts and Humanities
• Start date: September 2024
• Mode of study: Full-time
• Duration: 1 year (3 semesters)
• Structure: The program comprises four taught modules (120 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits).
• Objectives:
• To provide students with an advanced level of training in historical methods, theories, and theory and ideas relevant to the study of the past.
• To develop students' skills in digital humanities and public history.
• To prepare students for further study, employment opportunities, or a valuable cultural and educational experience.
• Description: The MA in History offers a broad-ranging program of study with a focus on:
• Ireland
• Europe since 1500 (including Russia and the Soviet Union)
• Medical history
• Britain, its Empire and foreign relations
• The Mediterranean world
• US history since 1800
• Social, political, and cultural history
• Transnational and emotions histories
• Key features:
• Emphasis on developing skills in digital humanities and public history.
• Strong links with heritage institutions like the Ulster Museum and Museum of Free Derry.
• Regular field trips to museums throughout the course.
• End-of-year exhibition to present student work.

Outline:

• Semester One:
• History of Medicine, Ethics and Emotions (15 credits):
Examines up-to-date research in the history of medicine, emphasizes ethical debates, and introduces students to the history of emotions and mental health.
• Historical (Auto)Biography and the Russian Revolution (15 credits): Focuses on historical biography as a methodology, evaluating the lives of leading members of the Russian revolutionary movement.
• Labour, Nationalism and Unionism (15 credits): Studies trade unions and left-wing politics within the context of nationalism and unionism in 20th century Ireland.
• The European Colonies in the Americas, c.1500-1900 (15 credits): Compares and contrasts the colonial projects of Spain, Portugal, Britain, the Netherlands, and France in the Americas.
• Semester Two:
• Exploring Archives and Digital Resources (15 credits):
Trains students in the identification, criticism, and use of primary sources.
• The Historian's Craft (15 credits): Explores how historians write about the past.
• Public History: Communicating Research in the Digital World (30 credits): Encourages students to develop a project based on their research, such as a mock museum exhibition, webpage, or creative output.
• Semester Three:
• Dissertation (60 credits):
Independent research project on an aspect of historical studies that interests you.

Assessment:

• Dissertation: 60%
• Coursework: 40%
• Individual module assessments: A combination of essays, reports, seminar papers, tests, presentations, and group work.

Teaching:

• Teaching methods: Lectures, staff papers, seminar discussions, and student presentations.
• Faculty: Leading authorities in their respective fields with expertise in digital humanities and public history.
• Unique approaches:
• Project-based learning with a focus on public history.
• Strong emphasis on developing digital humanities skills.
• Regular field trips and opportunities to engage with heritage institutions.

Careers:

• Potential career paths:
• Academia
• Teaching
• Research
• Librarianship
• Archives
• Museums
• Marketing
• Advertising
• Publishing
• Civil service
• Politics
• Opportunities: The program prepares students for a variety of occupations, including further study, teaching, research, and careers in public history, libraries, archives, and museums.

Other:

• Student Testimonials: The program has received positive feedback from graduates, who appreciate the program's rigor, faculty support, and career preparation.
• Faculty Research: The faculty is actively involved in research and publishes widely in their respective fields.

Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlement Status Fees £7,000.00 International Fees £17,090.00 Additional mandatory costs Students may incur additional costs in travelling to archives in connection with research for their dissertation. A modest amount of research funding can be applied for each year via the Course Director for research in Ireland and Britain.