MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Arts Graduate Handbook 1996

Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia

Caution Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1320-6222

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996


History

Department of History

Head of department: Associate Professor Andrew Markus

Coordinator of graduate studies: Professor David Chandler

Inquiries should be directed in the first instance to the administrative officer, Ms Val Campbell, room 508.

Members of staff and their fields of special interest

The Department of History can provide supervision of research in the following areas, but this list is neither exhaustive nor exclusive. Staff members' interests range widely, and students who wish to work on topics not covered below can possibly be accommodated. Dissertation topics may be discussed by interview with the head of department or graduate studies coordinator.

BAIN ATTWOOD Aboriginal history; the history of sexuality.

BARBARA CAINE nineteenth and twentieth-century cultural history, with emphases on Europe and Australia; women's history.

DAVID CHANDLER Southeast Asian history, and in particular the history of nineteenth and twentieth century Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. United States diplomatic history since World War II; US involvement in Indo-China.

IAN COPLAND British imperial history: in particular the history of indirect rule in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; modern Indian history.

IAN CUMMINS nineteenth and twentieth-century Russian and Soviet history, in particular the national question in Tsarist Russia and the USSR; Marxism and nationalism. Note: In normal circumstances, students wishing to write a dissertation in Russian history should have, or be willing to acquire, some working knowledge of Russian.

DAVID CUTHBERT world war II; British social history, politics and foreign policy since 1914; in particular, aspects of Britain's involvement in World War II.

GRAEME DAVISON Australian urban and social history; the history of sociology in Britain and the United States; heritage and public history.

JANE DRAKARD southeast Asian history; Indonesian history; Indonesian and Malay cultural history and textual traditions.

DAVID DUNSTAN Australian urban, political, cutural and social history: heritage and public history; Melbourne and Victorian regional history; history of the Australian wine industry.

DAVID GARRIOCH European urban history, 1600-1900; social and cultural history of eighteenth- century France; French revolution.

MICHAEL GODLEY Sino-Southeast Asian relations: in particular, the overseas Chinese; Chinese history; comparative topics in Asian history.

MARGARET HAMERSLEY nineteenth and twentieth-century British and British empire history, especially Britain, Australia and `dominion status' 1901-1914; Britain and the first Australian navigation act 1902-13.

ELEANOR HANCOCK German history in the nineteenth and twentieth century, particularly the interwar period and national socialism; fascism in Britain; aspects of World War I and II.

PETER HOWARD medieval European history; renaissance Italy; intellectual history of Christianity.

BILL KENT Italian renaissance social and cultural history; Florence in the time of Lorenzo De' Medici.

BRUCE KNOX nineteenth-century British history: political and administrative; British empire and colonies.

LINCOLN LI modern Chinese and Japanese history, including Sino-Japanese relations; Dr Li expects students to be fluent, or to acquire fluency, in the languages necessary for their research.

IAN MABBETT traditional Asian culture; precolonial history of India and Southeast Asia, especially anything connected with Indian religions; the `Indianised' culture of Southeast Asia.

ANDREW MARKUS Australian political and social history from 1850 to the present, particularly `racial' and ethnic relations. history of racial thought.

CONSTANT MEWS cultural, religious and intellectual history of Europe, fourth to thirteenth century; social and political change in twelfth-century France.

IAN MYLCHREEST intellectual, cultural and legal history of the United States.

MARK PEEL urban history of Australia and the United States; Australian cultural history.

JAN PENNEY Australian environmental history; local history; Aboriginal history; tourism; heritage studies and public history fields.

CLAUDIA PRESTEL Modern Jewish history, with particular reference to Germany.

JOHN RICKARD Australian political, social and cultural history from 1880 to the present day; biography.

TONY WOOD nineteenth and twentieth-century US history, in particular the old south, slavery, anti-slavery, and the Civil War; the foreign relations of the USA; American social history, in particular the history of women and Afro-Americans; also New Zealand during World War I.

Departmental seminars

Seminars for research students and staff are provided both by the Department of History and the Centre of Southeast Asian Studies. Attendance during the year at a number of seminars is expected. All students are required to present papers to these seminars during the course of their study and they may be required to attend on particular occasions.

The library

The Monash University library has good collections in the fields of later British, Imperial, USA, early modern English, eighteenth century European, Australian and Southeast Asian history. The Monash Centre of Southeast Asian Studies coordinates research work in its field; it has built up an extensive collection of sources on microfilm and microfiche in addition to other documentary material. The facilities of the State Library of Victoria (including the La Trobe Library) and other libraries in Melbourne are readily available to Monash research students. The State Library of Victoria is rich in nineteenth century British and French material, while the Australian holdings of the La Trobe Library rival the National and Mitchell libraries' collections.

Doctor of Philosophy

The degree of PhD in history is taken by the submission of a major thesis (the normal length is 60-90000 words), on a topic approved by the head of the department, at the end of a period of supervised study and research. Candidates for this degree must have obtained a Master of Arts in history, or first or second class honours division A in the final examination of a history honours course at BA level.

The PhD normally may take up to five years full-time or a period not exceeding eight years for part-time study.

Master of Arts in history

The degree of Master of Arts in history may be taken in either of two ways: by research or by coursework and thesis.

Master of Arts by research

Entry requirements

A candidate wishing to undertake the research degree must, except in special circumstances, hold the honours degree of Bachelor of Arts with at least second class honours in history or the equivalent.

1. By submission of a thesis, 40,000-60,000 words in length, on an approved research topic. The work for this will be supervised and pursued over such period as faculty regulations permit: normally up to three years full-time, and a period not exceeding five years for part-time study.

2. Candidates can also undertake the research MA by combining a thesis (66 per cent, 25,000-35,000 words) with two eight-point fifth-year level subjects.

Master of Arts in History by coursework and thesis

The degree is offered as Part I (forty-eight points) full-time one year, part-time normally two years; and Part II (forty-eight points) full-time one year, part-time normally two years.

This degree will enable students to study techniques of historical examination of sources: critical appraisal of evidence, particularly documentary evidence, is undertaken. The coursework is designed to broaden knowledge of a number of fields of history and their associated methodological techniques.

Entry to Part I

Persons holding the pass degree of BA with results at least at credit level (preferably higher) in the third part of a major sequence in history or the equivalent. Such candidates are required to complete both Part I and Part II, taken over two years full-time work or (normally) four years part-time.

Entry to Part II

Persons holding the degree of BA with honours in history or (with the approval of the head of department) in a related discipline, or the equivalent, may enter directly into Part II and complete the degree in one year (full-time) or normally two years (part-time). Holders of the Graduate Diploma of Arts (History) or the Graduate Diploma of Arts (Public History) with at least credit grades may also apply to undertake the degree, entering at Part II.

The course

Core subjects

Work for the degree is organised in two parts. Part I requires completion of a core subject, HYM4010 (Making histories) plus three approved twelve-point subjects (or a combination of eight and twelve-point units totalling forty-eight points, including HYM4010). If HSY3010/3020/4010 (Making histories) was completed as part of the BA degree, one of the following subjects becomes the core subject (for subject details see numerical listing below):

+ HYM4870 Social theory and social history

+ HYM4910 Using the past: three traditions

+ plus three other twelve-point subjects (or combination of eight and twelve-point units) selected from subjects offered at fourth-year level in 1996 (for subject details see numerical listing below):

+ HYM4050 Special subject. The following will be offered in first semester, subject to student demand (detailed subject descriptions are available from the department):

+ Happy families: images and reality of family life in eighteenth-century Western Europe; New York Jews;

+ Hidden transcripts: ethnohistorical approaches to the past; Piety, preaching and civic life in Renaissance Florence

+ HYM4060 Special subject. The following will be offered in second semester, subject to student demand (detailed subject descriptions are available from the department): Nazi Germany; Early history of Buddhism; Hildegard of Bingen and her world; Cultural history

+ HYM4030 The Australian ethnic experience

+ HYM4120 Reading and writing Australian history

+ HYM4130 Reading landscapes: cultural environments as heritage documents

+ HYM4210 `Being American': the construction of national identity

+ HYM4250 World heritage issues

+ HYM4500 Contours of racial thought

+ HYM4870 Social theory and social history

+ HYM4910 Using the past: three traditions

+ ECO4540 History of the economy and environment

+ ENM4340 Australian autobiography

+ RLM4010.08 The search for enlightenment

+ RLM4090 The authority of the text: the hermeneutical question

+ RLM4810 The history of popular Christianity from the beginning to the Enlightenment

Part II of the MA by coursework and thesis comprises two approved eight-point subjects to be selected from the following subjects offered at fifth-year level, and a 66 per cent thesis of 25-35,000 words (thirty-two points) (for subject details see numerical listing below):

+ HYM5030 The Australian ethnic experience

+ HYM5120 Reading and writing Australian history

+ HYM5210 `Being American': the construction of national identity

+ HYM5500 Contours of racial thought

+ HYM5910 Using the past: three traditions

+ AUS5080 Intellectual life in nineteenth-century Melbourne

+ RLM5010.08 The search for enlightenment

+ RLM5090 The authority of the text: the hermeneutical question

+ RLM5810 The history of popular Christianity from the beginning to the Enlightenment

Under special circumstances and with the permission of the head of the department students may undertake Part II of the Master of Arts in history by completing a twelve-point (9000 words) research project (HYM5001) and three twelve-point coursework subjects. Details of this option are available from the department.

Master of Arts in public history

This course is designed to equip historians and related professionals to practise in the emerging fields of historic conservation, environmental history, social history, heritage studies, museums, local history, oral history, public policy, publishing, radio, television and film. The focus of the course is primarily Australian, although reference is also made to overseas literature and experience. The emphasis is upon the acquisition of critical perspectives and practical skills.

Entry to Part I

Persons holding the pass degree of BA with results at least at credit level (preferably higher) in the third part of a major sequence in history or the equivalent. Such candidates are required to complete BOTH Part I and Part II, taken over two years full-time work or (normally) four years part-time.

Entry to Part II

Students may enter the course after the completion of a BA honours degree, or the Graduate Diploma of Arts (Public History), or after completion of Part I of an MA by coursework comprising relevant subjects in history, visual arts, geography, English, Australian studies or other approved subjects. Graduates in fields other than history may enter the course but, depending on the nature of their previous studies, may be required to take additional units in history before proceeding to Part II of the course.

MA in public history Part I

Forty-eight points of approved subjects selected from the following offerings (for subject details see numerical listing below):

+ AUS4010 Society, culture and the study of Australia

+ AUS4060 Sources and methods (in Australian studies)

+ AUS4080 Intellectual life in nineteenth-century Melbourne

+ ECO4540 History of economy and environment

+ HYM4010 Making histories

+ HYM4030 Australian ethnic experience

+ HYM4050 Special subjects in history (first semester)

+ HYM4060 Special subjects in history (second semester)

+ HYM4130 Reading landscapes

+ HYM4250 World heritage issues

+ HYM4210 `Being American'

+ HYM4870 Social theory and social history

+ MCM4000 Museums and exhibiting institutions

+ MCM4001 Material culture: theory and practice

+ MCM4002 Australian folk culture: a multicultural perspective

MA in public history Part II

A total of forty-eight points made up of HYM5010 (Issues in public history) (twelve points), HYM5020 (Methods of public history) (twelve points) plus a twenty-four point research project of 18,000-22,000 words. The public history research project has the unusual requirement that it must be commissioned by a public agency. Students are introduced to potential commissioning agencies and invited to negotiate a study brief with their chosen agency. Some examples of commissioning agencies are the Australian Heritage Commission, the Museum of Victoria, The Ministry for Planning and Housing, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, The National Trust of Australia (Victoria), the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, local councils, churches, and various business and community groups.

Graduate Diploma of Arts (History)

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold the degree of BA, preferably with a major sequence in history. The head of department, however, may admit a candidate with a degree in a related discipline. Where possible, applicants will be interviewed before being admitted to the diploma course.

This diploma may be of particular value to teachers of history, but it is available to any qualified person interested in pursuing study in history at postgraduate level.

The program will consist of a specially constructed course of study relevant to the previous experience and future requirements of individual candidates, each of whom will be consulted as to its design. Subjects will comprise a total of forty-eight points, at least thirty-six of which must be completed in the Department of History. The remaining twelve points may be taken, subject to the approval of the head of department, in another appropriate discipline. The diploma would be taken in one year (full-time) or normally two years (part-time).

Course of study

Candidates will normally be enrolled in four twelve-point semester subjects chosen from courses offered by the department under the HYD code (for subject details see numerical listings below). In appropriate cases, candidates may replace one semester subject with a research project (HYD4990) of twelve points.

Core subject is HYD4010 (Making histories); if already completed in the BA degree, one of the following subjects becomes the core subject:

+ HYD4870 Social theory and social history

+ HYD4910 Using the past: three traditions

plus three approved subjects chosen from the following group:

+ HYD4210 `Being American': the construction of national identity

+ HYD4500 Contours of racial thought

+ HYD4050/4070 Fourth-year special subjects in history (first semester)

+ HYD4060/4080 Fourth-year special subjects in history (second semester)

Full details of special subject units are provided in the fourth-year handbook available from the History department office.

With permission of the department, fourth-year level subjects from other departments may be taken.

Transfer to Master of Arts in history by coursework and thesis

Holders of the Graduate Diploma of Arts (History) with credit results or above in all subjects may apply to enter the Master of Arts by coursework and thesis, Part II. Note, however, that admission is not guaranteed.

Transfer to Master of Arts by thesis only

A holder of the Graduate Diploma of Arts (History) who wishes to be accepted as a candidate for the masters by research only, would need to have achieved at least a distinction average in his/her diploma course, and to have included a substantial research project in that course.

Graduate Diploma of Arts (Public History)

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold the degree of BA, preferably with a major sequence in history. However, a candidate with a degree in a related discipline or its equivalent, may be admitted at the discretion of the department. Wherever possible applicants will be interviewed before being admitted to the diploma course.

This diploma will be of particular value to those students wishing to enter the Master of Arts in Public History program or other higher studies degrees, but will also enable students not wishing to continue their studies immediately to pursue a wide range of career options in the history and heritage field.

Core subjects

+ HYM4130 Reading landscapes: cultural environments as historical documents

+ HYM4250 World heritage issues

Students will also take HYM4010 (Making histories) and HYM4120 (Reading and writing Australian history) (or equivalent subject) to make up the four twelve-point units, although students may take other selected subjects depending on their previous academic qualifications after advice from the department. The diploma would be taken in one year (full-time) or normally two years (part-time).

Transfer to Master of Arts in public history

Holders of the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Public History) with credit results or above in all subjects may apply to enter the Master of Arts (Public History) by coursework and research project, Part II. Note, however, that admission is not guaranteed.

Transfer to Master of Arts in history by coursework and thesis

Holders of the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Public History) with credit results or above in all subjects may apply to enter the Master of Arts in history by coursework and thesis, Part II. Note, however, that admission is not guaranteed.


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