Master of History

Year

View in 2021+ Handbook

Course Overview
Further Information
Course Rules & Plans
Course Outcomes

Why study the Master of History at UNE?

The Master of History covers three distinct areas: discipline knowledge, a choice of area studies and writing history. The MHist suits students coming to the study of history for the first time as well as those who want to extend their knowledge in particular areas or upgrade their professional qualifications. The area studies cover both Ancient and Modern History, including Ancient Greece and Rome, the Ancient Near East, Early Modern and Medieval History, American History, Australian History, Asian History, European History and Public History. The course progresses from exploring the nature of history as a discipline through to specialised studies of historical periods and problems, and it ends with the opportunity to undertake substantial historical research projects including writing for publication.

Career Opportunities

This course offers higher-level writing and research skills development. Moreover, it encourages critical thinking and analytical skills development as well, all of which will be useful in a range of professions especially journalism and media work, public relations, policy development, government and administration. Many of our graduates will wish to work as consulting historians or to continue in the teaching profession.

Those not wishing to pursue career paths but studying History out of interest will find the concentrated study of history at this higher level personally rewarding which may lead to the writing of History for pleasure and profit.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

1 or 1.5 or 2 Years Full-time
Up to 6 years Part-time

FEES

CSP (quotas apply)
Full Fee
International

2019 STUDY OPTIONS

Armidale

Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 2, Online

Official Abbreviation

MHist

Course Type

Postgraduate

Commencing

Location	Admission Period	Mode of Study
Armidale	Trimester 1	Online
Armidale	Trimester 2	Online

Course Duration

1 or 1.5 or 2 Years Full-time
Up to 6 years Part-time

Fees

CSP (quotas apply) / Full Fee / International
For fee information, click here

Total Credit Points

Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

A candidate shall hold:

(a) an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a discipline other than History; or

(b) an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification with a major in History or relevant discipline*; or

(c) an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Bachelor with Honours or AQF Level 9 Masters qualification in History or relevant discipline*.

*Relevant disciplines include:

Ancient History

Archaeology

English

Advanced Standing

Candidates admitted under Rule (a) may be granted a maximum of 48 credit points of Advanced Standing, providing units passed have reasonable correspondence to units of coursework available toward the degree and were not part of the degree on which admission was based.

Candidates admitted under Rule (b) shall be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Block Advanced Standing. Up to a further 36 credit points may be granted based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based.

Candidates admitted under Rule (c) shall be granted a maximum of 48 credit points of Block Advanced Standing. Up to a further 24 credit points may be granted based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based.

Candidates who have completed ANCH401H or HIST401H may be granted exemption for HIST595 and advised of an alternate unit for completion.

No advanced standing will be granted for research and/or reading units.

Academic Colours

White (BCC 1)

Further Information

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE

These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Master of History in 2019.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall hold:
(a) an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a discipline other than History; or
(b) an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification with a major in History or relevant discipline*; or
(c) an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Bachelor with Honours or AQF Level 9 Masters qualification in History or relevant discipline*.

*Relevant discipline includes:
Ancient History
Archaeology
English

Advanced Standing

Candidates who have completed ANCH401H or HIST401H may be granted exemption for HIST595 and advised of an alternate unit for completion.

No advanced standing will be granted for research and/or reading units.

Period of Candidature

For candidates admitted under Rule (a), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) two years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to six years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rule (b), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) one and a half years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to six years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rule (c), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) one year as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to four years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 96 credit points including a minimum of 36 credit points at 500-level.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

For candidates admitted under Rule (a):

Course Structure	Credit Points
Core Units	36-48 cps
Listed Units	48-60 cps
Total	96 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

For candidates admitted under Rule (b):

Course Structure	Credit Points
Block Advanced Standing	24 cps
Core Units	12-24 cps
Listed Units	48-60 cps
Total	96 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

For candidates admitted under Rule (c):

Course Structure	Credit Points
Block Advanced Standing	48 cps
Core Units	12-24 cps
Listed Units	24-36 cps
Total	96 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Master of History.

Dissertation

1. A candidate who satisfies the research project entry requirements shall submit a dissertation embodying an original investigation of a topic within their chosen specialisation.

2. Depending on the topic under investigation, the approval of the relevant Ethics Committee must be sought if required.

3. The School will appoint a supervisor who shall be a member of the teaching or research staff of the University or an associate of the University and on the UNE register of supervisors. The supervisor shall advise and supervise the candidate during the period of candidature.

4. Except with the permission of the School, on the recommendation of the supervisor, the dissertation shall not exceed 15,000 words of text, excluding appendices.

5. Candidates shall be required to enrol in and complete the dissertation in 39 weeks from the commencement of enrolment in the dissertation unit.

Submission of Dissertation

1. Electronic submission of the dissertation is required. Candidates should check with the relevant discipline regarding submission of two soft bound and one unbound copy of the dissertation together with a certificate from the supervisor certifying that the dissertation is in a form suitable for examination can be submitted to the School following liaison with the unit coordinator in the relevant School.

2. The relevant School, on the recommendation of the supervisor, shall appoint two examiners. Normally, at least one examiner shall be external to the University.

3. Each examiner shall be informed of the name of the other examiner. The examiners may consult. They shall inform the relevant School if, before submitting their reports, they have consulted.

Examination of Dissertation

1. (a) Normally within one month of receipt of the dissertation the examiners shall decide whether to recommend that the dissertation be given the grade of Fail, Pass, Credit, Distinction or High Distinction, with the corresponding mark.
(b) The examiners may consult with the supervisor prior to preparing their reports.
(c) The examiners shall submit to the relevant School their report(s) on the dissertation, along with their recommendation(s) on the grade and mark.

2. (a) In the event of a disagreement between the examiners, they may be asked to consult and report to the relevant School.
(b) If the examiners are unable to reach an agreement, the relevant School shall refer their reports to a sub-committee appointed by the Head of School for a recommendation.

3.(a) After considering the examiner's recommendation(s) and report(s), any comments from the supervisor and any recommendations from the appointed sub-committee, the relevant School may recommend that the dissertation be awarded the grade of Fail, Pass, Credit, Distinction, High Distinction.
(b) the candidate, the supervisor and examiners shall be informed of the decision and the candidate shall be provided with a copy of the examiners report(s).

4. After the relevant School has awarded the grade of Pass or higher, the course coordinator shall be contacted for advice on archival processes for the completed dissertation.

Exit Pathways

For candidates admitted under Rule (a) and subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Arts on completion of 48 credit points including a minimum of 18 credit points at 400-level or above. Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Graduate Certificate in Arts must apply for readmission and will be subject to the current course requirements of the Master of History. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

For candidates admitted under Rule (b) and subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Arts on completion of 24 credit points including a minimum of 18 credit points at 400-level or above. Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Graduate Certificate in Arts must apply for readmission and will be subject to the current course requirements of the Master of History. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

For candidates admitted under Rule (c) and subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Arts on completion of 24 credit points including a minimum of 18 credit points at 400 level or above. Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Graduate Certificate in Arts must apply for readmission and will be subject to the current course requirements of the Master of History. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

Course Aims	This course covers three distinct areas: discipline knowledge, a choice of area studies and writing history. It suits those students coming to the study of history for the first time as well as those who want to extend their knowledge or upgrade their professional qualifications. Covering Ancient, Medieval and Modern History, the course aims to explore the nature of history as a discipline through specialised studies of historical periods and problems. It concludes with the opportunity to undertake substantial historical research projects including writing for publication.
Learning Outcomes	Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: exhibit and apply an advanced body of historical knowledge across a range of periods and themes, and understand the nature and development of historical inquiry and thought from ancient times to the most recent developments of the modern age; understand and apply the various principles and methods used in historical inquiry and practice, including the evaluation, synthesising, interpretation and application of both historical evidence and historical thinking; apply higher-level writing and communication skills, as well as an advanced level of creative and theoretical thinking; apply the range of critical, reflective and technical skills used by historians to a range of public and professional areas such as journalism, media work, public relations, policy development, government and administration; and demonstrate and apply advanced knowledge of research principles and methods, and themes applicable to the discipline.
Graduate Attributes	Knowledge of a Discipline Graduates will have advanced knowledge of history, historical thought and historiography. This will include an appreciation of the processes through which historical knowledge has evolved. This is taught through unit materials, online discussions, guided readings, and directed learning activities. It is assessed through different forms of assessment appropriate to the history discipline such as the written and extended research essay. Communication Skills Graduates will have advanced skills to communicate and substantiate the results of historical thinking and research in a variety of written and multi-media formats. These skills are taught through written and oral feedback on assessment tasks and through online participation and engagement, both with academic staff and their peers and assessed through a range of different types of assignments. Problem Solving Graduates will have a deep knowledge of key problem-solving strategies and interrogations used in history and will be able to expertly apply this knowledge to develop their own responses to particular problems in different environments and on different topics and issues. This is taught, assessed and practised through a detailed analysis of a variety of historical and historiographical problems, as well as through online discussions between academic staff and their peers, and through written and multi-media assessment tasks. Information Literacy Graduates will have a wide range of higher-level research skills utilised by historians such as locating, collecting, referencing and evaluating relevant sources, both primary and secondary, including the skills to assess different types of historical information, identify the most useful sources and critically examine the evidence they offer. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Graduates will have an advanced understanding of their professional responsibilities as historians to provide balanced and accurate research; their social responsibility to question and challenge some 'facts'; their ethical responsibilities towards the people and organisations whose histories they research and present. They will also be taught about the value of historical knowledge and its value to contemporary life. Lifelong Learning Graduates will have the skills and knowledge to continue to research, evaluate, discuss and present historical issues in a variety of professional and community settings. Independence and Collaboration Graduates will be able to exercise responsibility and accountability for their own learning and professional practice as well as the ability to work collaboratively with others. Graduates will have in-depth knowledge of the ways in which historians are increasingly working collaboratively together on projects in community settings and of the impact of historians and teamwork with communities, families, government, corporate and voluntary organisations. This involves combining an understanding of social responsibility with the skills of teamwork. These skills and knowledge are practised through requiring students to work collaboratively and network effectively to solve problems and present results. This is achieved through the online discussions and the sharing of information and findings and developing a historical collegiality. In this environment students are required to take the initiative as well as assert their own values and opinions while respecting the values and contributions of others.