Department of History, Geography, and Museum Studies
Graduate Programs in History Handbook
HISTORY AND AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES
GRADUATE HANDBOOK
Revised Fall 2024
Chair of Department
Dr. Daryl Scott, Professor of History
BSSC, Room 226F
(443) 885-3190; Fax (443) 885-8227
Daryl.Scott@morgan.edu
Coordinator of Graduate Programs in History and African American Studies
Dr. Lawrence Peskin, Professor of History
BSSC, Room 335
(443) 885-1783
Lawrence.Peskin@morgan.edu
Graduate Faculty
Brett A. Berliner, Ph.D. University of Massachusetts,
Associate Professor of History
(Modern Europe)
Dexter Blackman, Ph.D. Georgia State
Associate Professor of History
(Civil Rights and Black Power, 20th Century US, African Diaspora)
Herbert Brewer, Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park
Associate Professor of History
(African Diaspora, Atlantic World, Liberia)
Jeremiah I. Dibua, Ph.D. University of Benin,
Professor of History
(Historiography, Modern Africa, African Diaspora)
Menika Dirkson, Ph.D. Temple University
Assistant Professor of History
(20th Century US, Policing, African American History)
Francis Dube, Ph.D. University of Iowa,
Associate Professor
(Africa, Medicine and Public Health, Environmental History)
Linda Noel, Ph.D. University of Maryland, College Park
Associate Professor of History
(Immigration History, 19th-20th Century America)
Alexander Pavuk, Ph.D. University of Delaware
Associate Professor of History
(Religion in the US, Intellectual History, Oral History)
Lawrence Peskin, Ph.D. University of Maryland, College Park,
Professor of History
(Early America, America and the World)
Sara Rahnama, Ph.D. Johns Hopkins University
Assistant Professor of History
(Algeria, Women, Middle East and North Africa)
David Taft Terry, Ph.D. Howard University,
Associate Professor of History
(19th and 20th Century African American, Urban History, Museum Studies and Public History)
Felicia Thomas, Ph.D. Rutgers
Associate Professor of History
(Colonial America, 19th Century America, Slavery and African American History)
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
HISTORY (PH.D.)
Program Objective
The Ph.D. program in History is designed for students who plan to have careers as research scholars, college and university professors, and/or public historians in archives, museums, government, and community organizations, and/or as curriculum specialists in secondary and elementary education.
Program Description
The History doctoral program focuses on the fields of African American History, African Diaspora History, African History, and 20th/21st Centuries United States History. Students are also exposed to aspects of public history.
General Requirements
Candidates for the Ph.D. degree in History must maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 in all course work at the end of each academic semester. Candidates must complete a minimum of thirty-six (36) credit hours; pass the written comprehensive examination in their major field, which includes taking one research seminar in the field; satisfy requirements of their minor fields; meet or pass the foreign language or research skill requirement; and successfully defend a primary-source based written dissertation.
Students have the option of retaking a course in which they earned a “C” grade.
Admission
To be eligible for admission to the PhD Program in History, an applicant must:
- Have a Master’s degree, with a thesis or seminar paper, or the equivalent, in History, or a closely related field, from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Possess a grade point average of at least 3.0 in all previous post-baccalaureate work.
- Submit an application for admission to the School of Graduate Studies. All required documents must be submitted as directed by the School of Graduate Studies prior to program review and admission decision.
- Submit a resume or c.v.
- Submit official transcripts.
- GRE scores are optional. Official GRE scores may not be more than 5 years old prior to the date of application
- If not submitted or if submitted and below 153, the student will be required to take Hist 599, Historical Writing, a course whose credits do not count to toward the 36 required credits for graduation.
- Students for whom instruction has not been in English must submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), IELTS (International English Language Testing System, or Duolingo English Test.
- Submit three letters of recommendations. These letters should be from officials or faculty members of institutions previously attended who are acquainted with the applicant’s ability for graduate study or from employment supervisors where applicable.
- Submit a writing sample (a graduate seminar or research paper) in History.
- Submit an essay describing the candidate’s personal academic and professional plans and the reasons for selecting Morgan State University. The statement should include the proposed major field of study.
Conditional Admission
- Students who have not completed prerequisite credits required for enrollment in the Ph.D. level courses in previous post-baccalaureate study may be required to take up to 6 credits of prerequisite courses at the 500 to 700 levels.
Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements and submitting all the required documents does not guarantee that an offer of admission will be made to the applicant. The decision of the Program Admissions Committee involves a review and analysis of all the elements of the application as well as the availability of positions in the program. The committee then recommends to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies that an offer of admission should be made based on that review.
(See the MSU Graduate School Catalog for “General Degree Requirements.”)
Candidacy
Students achieve candidacy by successfully passing the comprehensive examination in their major field, satisfying requirements for their minor fields, successfully completing HIST 901, Dissertation Proposal, and fulfilling the foreign language/research skill proficiency requirement.
Once a student achieves candidacy, enrollment in any course other than HIST 997 or HIST 998 is generally prohibited. Students seeking additional skills, knowledge, or a certificate must seek approval through the program up to the School of Graduate Studies.
Dissertation Completion
Ph.D. Dissertation Writing Guidelines
The Dissertation and Thesis Handbook, which contains guidelines for the preparation of the thesis is available on the website of the Graduate School.
A student considering a dissertation topic should do preliminary research to locate other dissertations, books, or scholarly essays related to his/her proposed topic to eliminate conflicts with the topic and to find sources for primary research. Afterwards, the student should confer with the Graduate Coordinator and Dissertation Advisor regarding the appropriateness of the topic. Once a tentative topic is agreed upon, the student must officially register the topic with the Graduate Coordinator.
Forming a Dissertation Committee
The Dissertation Committee consists of the Dissertation Supervisor, two members of the History Graduate Faculty, and an outside reader. The Dissertation Supervisor and the student must agree on the topic selected. If no agreement can be reached, the student must find another Dissertation Supervisor, or change to a topic on which the Supervisor and the student can agree. Dissertation Supervisors and students must commit to work together. The Dissertation Supervisor and the student must both agree to the selection of other members of the committee who in turn should commit to work with the student and supervisor. If the dissertation supervisor and the student believe that the expertise of a non-History graduate faculty is essential for the successful completion of the dissertation, they should request the approval of the Graduate Coordinator to include the faculty on the committee (no more than one non-History graduate faculty can serve on a dissertation committee). The student must officially register the names of the dissertation committee members with the Graduate Coordinator. The Graduate Coordinator, in consultation with the Supervisor, invites the outside reader for the oral defense of the dissertation at the appropriate time to join the committee. The dissertation must be successfully defended in a public oral defense.
HIST 901-Dissertation Proposal (3 credits): Students officially begin researching and writing a dissertation proposal in HIST 901. The goal of this course is to search the secondary literature to find any existing work that may duplicate the proposal; to locate archives with primary sources; and to find models for analysis and conceptual frameworks.
Once topics are confirmed, students begin working with the dissertation faculty. After the committee has been confirmed the student will write a proposal to be approved by their dissertation chairperson. The dissertation committee members must receive a copy of the approved proposal.
HIST 997 - Dissertation Guidance (3 non-degree credits but shows as 9 credits for full time status):
Students enroll in Hist 997 after completing Hist 901. To maintain full time status at the university, students must continuously enroll in Hist 997, until they successfully defend their dissertation. The grade for Hist 997 is S.
HIST 998 – Dissertation Defense (3 credits)
Upon successfully defending one’s thesis, Hist 997 will be converted to Hist 998: Dissertation Defense. The grade for this is P.
Dissertation Deadlines
Spring - Candidates who plan to complete the thesis for the Spring semester graduation should follow these deadlines:
Submit all first chapter drafts to the Dissertation Advisor early in the Fall semester. The Dissertation committee should have a conference with the student no later than after they have read the first two draft chapters of the dissertation. This meeting will among other things, discuss the viability of the dissertation topic, and the written comments and suggestions of the committee members would be given to the candidate and the advisor after the meeting. The Dissertation Advisor will ensure that the comments and suggestions are addressed by the candidate during the writing of the first draft of the chapters.
Submit a revised draft of the entire dissertation to the Dissertation Advisor by November 30th. Once the draft has been approved, the Dissertation Advisor will send it to the committee to read.
Submit the revised dissertation including preliminary bibliography to the committee when classes begin in January. At this point, the Dissertation Advisor in consultation with the two other members of the committee will decide on who will be the outside reader and the proposed date for oral defense. Upon the recommendation of the Dissertation Advisor, the Graduate Programs Coordinator will contact the outside reader. The committee should read the revised drafts within three weeks and submit their comments to the student and the Dissertation Advisor. Upon the approval of the Advisor and the committee, the student would prepare a draft of the dissertation for oral defense.
All approved chapters and bibliography should be submitted to committee members and the outside reader at least two weeks before the date for oral defense.
Submit the final approved and signed dissertation to the Graduate School office no later than the specified deadline to ensure May graduation. Students must complete the revisions requested by the committee before members will sign the dissertation.
If you miss the Graduate School’s deadline for Spring graduation, you will continue working on the dissertation until the Fall deadline for winter graduation. You will need to roll forward your application for graduation to December.
Dissertation candidates should adhere to the above deadlines. Candidates must be registered for HIST 997, Dissertation Guidance, during the writing process and in the semester the dissertation is submitted to the Graduate School
Fall - Candidates who plan to complete the dissertation for fall semester graduation should follow these deadlines:
Submit all first chapter drafts to the Dissertation Advisor early in the Spring semester. The Dissertation committee should have a conference with the student no later than after they have read the first two draft chapters of the dissertation. This meeting will among other things, discuss the viability of the dissertation topic, and the written comments and suggestions of the committee members would be given to the candidate and the advisor after the meeting. The Dissertation Advisor will ensure that the comments and suggestions are addressed by the candidate during the writing of the first draft of the chapters.
Submit a revised draft of the entire dissertation to the Dissertation Advisor by April 30th. Once the draft has been approved, the Dissertation Advisor will send it to the committee to read.
Submit the revised dissertation including preliminary bibliography to the committee when classes begin in August/September. At this point, the Dissertation Advisor in consultation with the two other members of the committee will decide on who will be the outside reader and the proposed date for oral defense. Upon the recommendation of the Dissertation Advisor, the Graduate Programs Coordinator will contact the outside reader. The committee should read the revised draft within three weeks and submit their comments to the student and the Dissertation Advisor. Upon the approval of the Advisor and the committee, the student would prepare a draft of the dissertation for oral defense.
All approved chapters and bibliography should be submitted to committee members and the outside reader at least two weeks before the date for oral defense.
Submit final approved and signed dissertation to the Graduate School office no later than the specified deadline. Students must complete the revisions requested by the committee before members will sign the dissertation.
Dissertation candidates should adhere to the above deadlines. Candidates must be registered for HIST 997: Dissertation Guidance during the writing process and in the semester the dissertation is submitted to the Graduate School.
Additional Guidelines
Students should refer to the university and College of Liberal Arts policies regarding academic integrity, expectation of professional ethics and behavior, accommodations for disability, and appeals and due process regarding grades and other relevant issues.
AI and plagiarism
All dissertations must be evaluated by the School of Graduate Studies for plagiarism and AI use, and dissertation advisors will also pay close attention to potential issues. Students are expected to follow university guidelines on both plagiarism and AI usage or face potential penalties ranging from rejection of dissertations to expulsion from the program.
Ph.D. History Course Requirements
Historiography
HIST 804: Advanced Historiography 3 credit hours
Content Courses (600+ level)
Major Concentration Courses 12 credit hours
(Inclusive of one research seminar)
Minor Concentration Courses 1: 6 credit hours
Minor Concentration Courses 2: 6 credit hours
Elective 3 credit hours
Dissertation Courses
HIST 901: Dissertation Proposal 3 credit hours
HIST 997: Dissertation Guidance 3 (non-degree) credit hours
HIST 998: Dissertation Defense 3 credit hours
Skills requirements
Writing requirement
GRE Verbal Score of 153 or HIST 599: Historical Writing 3 (non-degree) credit hours.
Research skill requirement (choose one)
Foreign Language at fourth semester (202 level or above, non-degree credit hours) Or
competency in Foreign Language may also be met by a proficiency examination administered by either the Department of History or the Department of World Languages and International Studies or by graduation from a foreign four-year college/university where English was not the language of instruction.
Or
HIST 808: Oral History Practicum 3 non-degree credit hours
Prerequisite: HIST 708 Oral History (3 credit hours)
Or
HIST 807: Archival Practicum 3 non-degree credit hours
Prerequisite: HIST 707 Archival Theory (3 credit hours)
Total Degree Credit Hours 36 credit hours
Plan of Study
The typical plan of study requires enrollment in nine (9) credit hours per semester to remain full-time. Not every course is offered every semester, and the following plan of study is an illustration. At the initial conference with an advisor, a preliminary plan of study will be established, and this will be reported to the School of Graduate Studies (using the SGS Plan of Study Form) for placement in the student’s official file. At this time, any anticipated exceptions or anticipated transfer credits will be noted. An estimated time for completion of the dissertation should be included. Changes to the plan of study will be reported to the School of Graduate Studies. The student and advisor will sign the form submitted to the School of Graduate Studies.
Year 1, First Semester (Fall, Year 1):
Sample Courses, 9 credit hours:
HIST 804: Advanced Historiography & Historical Methods 3
600-800 level History course in major or minor field 3
600-800 level History course in major or minor field 3
Or
(Where applicable one or two 500-700 level prerequisite history courses) 3-6 (non-degree) credit hours
Year 1, Second Semester (Spring, Year 1):
Sample Courses, 9 credit hours:
600-800 level History course in major or minor field 3
600-800 level History course in major or minor field 3
600-800 level History course in major or minor field 3
Or
(Where applicable HIST 599: Historical Writing) 3 (non-degree) credit hours
Year 2, Third Semester (Fall, Year 2):
Sample Courses, 9 credit hours:
HIST 707 or 708: Archival Theory or Oral History 3
600-800 level History course in major or minor field 3
600-800 level History course in major or minor field 3
Year 2, Fourth Semester (Spring, Year 2)
Sample Courses, 9 credit hours
HIST 807 or 808: Archival Practicum or Oral History Practicum 3 (non-degree) credit hours
HIST 901: Dissertation Proposal 3
600-800 level History elective course 3
Totals: Years 1 and 2, 33 Degree credit hours completed
Year 3, Fifth Semester, (Fall, Year 3) and continuing semesters until the dissertation is defended
History 997: Dissertation Guidance 3 credits (reports as 9 to establish full-time status
Note: Dissertation Guidance course cannot be used to fulfill academic, curricular credits. The course is used only when the curriculum has been completed, and the student is completing the research and writing of the dissertation. The course registration maintains the student status as a matriculated, full-time student. HIST 997 must be repeated until the completed dissertation is deposited with the School of Graduate Studies. Other courses cannot be substituted for Dissertation Guidance. The only eligible grade for HIST 997 is the grade of S.
MASTER OF ARTS, HISTORY
&
MASTER OF ARTS, AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES
Thesis or non-thesis options
Program Description
The Master of Arts in History and Master of Arts in African American Studies exposes students to advanced historiography and historical research methods in History and Studies. These programs expose students to the history of various parts of the world, with emphasis on United States history, African American history, African Diaspora history, African history, Caribbean history, Latin American history and Middle East history. African American Studies is very interdisciplinary, exposing students to the methodologies and content of disciplines such as Sociology, English, Art, Music, and Museums.
Program Objectives
The Master of Arts is designed for students who plan to teach in middle schools, high schools, or community colleges; for students who plan careers in public service, public policy and foreign affairs, public history; and for students who contemplate pursuing further scholarly activities. It is a useful adjunct for persons with careers in theology and law; in library science; in journalism and news management; and in government, business and industry, and administration.
General Requirements
Candidates for the M.A. in History must complete a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours, twenty-four (24) of which should be in History. Students may write a thesis or take a non-thesis option. Comprehensive exams are no longer required.
Candidates for the M.A. in African American Studies must complete a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours, eighteen (18) of which should be in History and twelve (12) can be from relevant courses in other fields. Students may write a thesis or take a non-thesis option. Comprehensive exams are no longer required.
Students have the option of retaking a course in which they earned a “C” grade.
Admission
To be eligible for admission to the Master of Arts Program an applicant must:
- Have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, preferably in history, Africana studies, the humanities, social sciences, or related fields.
- Possess an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) of 3.0 or better to be considered for regular admission. Students who possess a cumulative undergraduate G.P.A. of between 2.5 and 3.0 may be considered for conditional admission.
- Submit an application for admission to the School of Graduate Studies. All required documents must be submitted as directed by the School of Graduate Studies prior to program review and admission decision.
- Use the application system to arrange for three letters of recommendation to be placed with the application. These letters must be from officials or faculty members of institutions previously attended who are acquainted with the applicant’s ability for graduate study or from employment supervisors where applicable.
- Submit an essay regarding the candidate’s personal academic and professional plans and the reasons for selecting Morgan State University.
- Submit a resume or c.v.
- Students for whom instruction has not been in English must submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System, or Duolingo English Test.
Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements and submitting all the required documents does not guarantee that an offer of admission will be made to the applicant. The decision of the Program Admissions Committee involves a review and analysis of all the elements of the application as well as the availability of positions in the program. The committee then recommends to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies that an offer of admission should be made based on that review.
(See the MSU Graduate School Catalog for “General Degree Requirements.”)
Program Course Requirements
Non-thesis option
- HIST 598: Historiography & Historical Methods 3 credit hours
- HIST 599: Historical Writing 3 credit hours
- HIST 788/789: Supervised Research or
700-level Research Seminar course in History 6 credit hours
- Elective courses 18 credit hours
MA History must take at 12 elective History credit hours; 6 credit hours may be from other disciplines
MA African American Studies must take 6 elective History credit hours, and may take 12 credit hours in other disciplines, as approved by the Graduate Coordinator.
Total 30 credit hours
Thesis Option
- HIST 598: Historiography & Historical Methods 3 credit hours
- HIST 599: Historical Writing 3 credit hours
- HIST 788/789: Supervised Research or
700-level Research Seminar course in History 3 credit hours
- HIST 799: Thesis Defense 3 credit hours
- HIST 797: Thesis Guidance 3 non-degree credit hours, but counts as 9 credits
- Elective courses 18 credit hours
MA History must take at 12 elective History credit hours; 6 credit hours may be from other disciplines, as approved by the Graduate Coordinator.
MA African American Studies must take 6 elective History credit hours, and may take 12 credit hours in other disciplines, as approved by the Graduate Coordinator.
Total 30 credit hours
Non-Thesis Option
Seminar Course Guidelines
The objective of a research seminar is to write an essay that contributes to our knowledge on the topic. Towards that end, it should be based on primary sources, especially archival collections, and must address the historiography. Seminar papers should be modeled on the peer-reviewed articles found in scholarly historical journals suggested by the instructor. Ideally, the final version of the essay should aim toward being of publishable quality.
The essay should be approximately 25 pages in length, plus the footnotes and bibliography, formatted using the latest edition of Kate Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
Thesis Option
MA Thesis Writing Guidelines
Students enroll in HIST 797, Thesis Guidance when they are ready to begin researching the thesis topic.
Arrangements for thesis writing are made with the Graduate Coordinator and Thesis Advisor, who discuss the proposed thesis topic with the student. Once the Thesis Advisor and student decide on the thesis committee members and everyone agrees, the student must officially register the thesis topic and the names of the thesis committee members with the Graduate Coordinator. (The committee consists of three MSU graduate faculty members: the Thesis Advisor, who chairs the committee; at least one other graduate history faculty; and a third professor, who can be from the History Department or a faculty member from another department chosen with the approval of the Graduate Coordinator.) Once the committee has formally agreed to serve, the candidate works with the Thesis Advisor until releasing the approved draft to the committee to read. Students must register for HIST 797 Thesis Guidance (3 non-curricular credits, but counts as 9 for full time status) each semester while writing the thesis.
Upon successfully completing the thesis, HIST 797 will be changed to HIST 799, Thesis Defense (3 curricular credits, but counts as 9 credits)
The Dissertation and Thesis Handbook, which contains guidelines for the preparation of the thesis, is available on the website of the Graduate School.
Thesis Deadlines
Spring - Candidates who plan to complete the thesis for the Spring semester graduation should follow these deadlines:
Submit all first chapters’ drafts to the Thesis Advisor early in the Fall semester.
Submit revised draft of the entire thesis to the Thesis Advisor before the Fall semester final exams. Once the draft has been approved, the Thesis Advisor will submit the thesis to the committee, no later than the third week of January.
Submit final approved and signed thesis to the Graduate School office no later than the specified deadline to ensure May graduation. If you miss the deadline, you can continue working on the thesis until the Spring semester ends.
Fall - Candidates who plan to complete the thesis for fall semester graduation should follow these deadlines:
Submit all first chapters’ drafts to the Thesis Advisor early in the Spring semester.
Submit revised draft of the entire thesis to the Thesis Advisor by April 30th. Once the draft has been approved, the Thesis Advisor will authorize the student to make two copies for the committee to read.
Submit thesis to the committee when classes begin in August/September.
Submit final approved and signed thesis to the Graduate School office no later than the specified deadline.
Advisors may not accept a thesis from a candidate who does not meet the deadlines. Candidates must be registered for HIST 797: Thesis Guidance during the semester the thesis is submitted to the Graduate School. Faculty are not obliged to supervise thesis writing students who are not registered. The final grade of P (pass) will be recorded for HIST 799: Thesis Defense.
Candidacy
Once a thesis writing student achieves candidacy, which entails successfully completing 27 credits, enrollment in any course other than HIST 799 or HIST 797 is generally prohibited. Students seeking additional skills, knowledge, or a certificate must seek approval through the program up to the School of Graduate Studies. The request must be accompanied with a revised Plan of Study.
Additional Requirements
Students should refer to the university and College of Liberal Arts policies regarding academic integrity, expectation of professional ethics and behavior, accommodations for disability, and appeals and due process regarding grades and other relevant issues.
AI and plagiarism
All theses must be evaluated by the School of Graduate Studies for plagiarism and AI use, and thesis advisors will also pay close attention to potential issues. Students are expected to follow university guidelines on both plagiarism and AI usage or face potential penalties ranging from rejection of theses to expulsion from the program.
Plan of Study
The typical plan of study requires enrollment in nine (9) credit hours per semester to remain full-time. Not every course is offered every semester, and the following plan of study is an illustration. At the initial conference with an advisor, a preliminary plan of study will be established.
Non-thesis option History
Year 1, First Semester (Fall, Year 1)
HIST 598: Historiography & Historical Methods 3
500-700 level History Course 3
500-700 level History Course 3
Year 1, Second Semester (Spring, Year 1):
HIST 599: Historical Writing 3
500-700 level History Course 3
HIST 788/789 or a 700-level Research Seminar 3
Year 2, Third Semester (Fall, Year 2)
HIST 788/789 or a 700-level Research Seminar 3
500-700 level History Course or interdisciplinary elective 3
500-700 level History Course or interdisciplinary elective 3
Year 2, Fourth Semester (Spring, Year 2):
500-700 level History Course 3
Total 30
Non-thesis option African American Studies
Year 1, First Semester (Fall, Year 1)
HIST 598: Historiography & Historical Methods 3
500-700 level Interdisciplinary elective or History course 3
500-700 level Interdisciplinary elective or History course 3
Year 1, Second Semester (Spring, Year 1):
HIST 599: Historical Writing 3
500-700 level Interdisciplinary elective or History course 3
HIST 788/789 or a 700-level Research Seminar 3
Year 2, Third Semester (Fall, Year 2)
Sample Courses, 9 credit hours:
HIST 788/789 or a 700-level Research Seminar 3
500-700 level History Course 3
500-700 level Interdisciplinary elective or History course 3
Year 2, Fourth Semester (Spring, Year 2):
500-700 level History Course 3
Total 30
Thesis Option, History
Year 1, First Semester (Fall, Year 1)
HIST 598: Historiography & Historical Methods 3
500-700 level History Course 3
500-700 level History Course 3
Year 1, Second Semester (Spring, Year 1):
HIST 599: Historical Writing 3
500-700 level History Course 3
HIST 788/789 or a 700-level Research Seminar 3
Year 2, Third Semester (Fall, Year 2)
500-700 level History Course 3
500-700 level History Course or interdisciplinary elective 3
500-700 level History Course or interdisciplinary elective 3
Year 2, Fourth Semester (Spring, Year 2):
Hist 797 Thesis Guidance 3 non-degree credits
Hist 799: Thesis Defense 3
Total 30
Thesis Option, African American Studies
Year 1, First Semester (Fall, Year 1)
HIST 598: Historiography & Historical Methods 3
500-700 level Interdisciplinary elective or History course 3
500-700 level Interdisciplinary elective or History course 3
Year 1, Second Semester (Spring, Year 1):
HIST 599: Historical Writing 3
500-700 level History Course 3
HIST 788/789 or a 700-level Research Seminar 3
Year 2, Third Semester (Fall, Year 2)
500-700 level History Course 3
500-700 level Interdisciplinary elective or History course 3
500-700 level Interdisciplinary elective or History course 3
Year 2, Fourth Semester (Spring, Year 2):
Hist 797 Thesis Guidance 3 non-degree credits
Hist 799: Thesis Defense 3
Total 30
Note: HIST 797, Thesis Guidance, cannot be used to fulfill academic, curricular credits. The course is used only when the curriculum has been completed, and the student is completing the research and writing of the thesis. The course registration maintains the student status as a matriculated, full-time student. HIST 797 must be repeated until the completed thesis is deposited with the School of Graduate Studies. Other courses cannot be substituted for Thesis Guidance. The only eligible grade for HIST 797 is the grade of S.
*Suggested Elective Courses from other Departments and other courses by approval:
ENGL 515: African-American Poetic Forms
ENGL 571: Introduction to Multicultural Literature
ENGL 572: The Multicultural Novel
ENGL 583: Colloquium: Literature of the African Diaspora
ENGL 593: Multicultural Literature for Adolescents
ENGL 596: African American Literature
ENGL 597: The Minority Presence in American Literature
ENGL 725: Twentieth Century African-American Women Writers
ENGL 729: Major African American Novelists
ENGL 730: Major African American Poets
ENGL 745: African Literature
GEOG 505: Cultural Geography
GEOG 561: Geography of Africa
INST 510: Sub-Saharan Africa
INST 512: The Caribbean-Latin America
SOCI 530: Black Americans in Sociological Thought
SOCI 531: Sociology of Oppression
SOCI 543: Race, Education, and Social Inequality
SOCI 553: The Black Family in America
SOCI 564: Race and Ethnic Relations
MUSC 524: The History of Black Music
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTSDEPARTMENT OF HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY AND MUSEUM STUDIES
Graduate Course Descriptions
GEOG 503: The Geography of Maryland Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters A geographical analysis of the spatial associations which exist among the historical, cultural and physical patterns of Maryland.
GEOG 505: Cultural Geography Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters An examination of the role of cultures in changing the face of the earth.
GEOG 510: Introduction to Cartography Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters A practical overview of the principal components of modern cartographic techniques.
GEOG 511: Intermediate Cartography Three Hours: 3 Credits Pre Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters An intensive examination of cartographic field techniques.
GEOG 561: Geography of Africa Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters A geographic analysis of the physical, cultural, historical and economic patterns of Africa, with special emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa.
HIST 501: Revolutionary America and the Constitution, 1750–1800 Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Emphasis will be placed on the origins of the War of Independence, the revolutionary outcomes of the war, the struggle to establish a satisfactory national government, the Constitution, and the establishment of political parties.
HIST 504: Civil War and Reconstruction Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course emphasizes the role of African Americans in the war and in post-war events; also, causes of the conflict between the North and South from the Compromise of 1850 through the success of the redemptionists at the end of the 19th century.
HIST 505: Turn of the Century America: The Age of Industrialization and Urbanization Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This is an intense study of selected topics from the period of America’s “coming of age”. These topics will include industrialization, immigration, urbanization, politics, education, popular culture, and social change.
HIST 510: History of Maryland Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This is a survey of the history of the Chesapeake Bay region with emphasis on Maryland. The region’s unique qualities of society, economy, and politics as well as race and ethnicity will be explored placing these issues in a national and international context.
HIST 515: Antebellum Free Blacks, 1800–1860 Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course describes and analyzes the status of free Blacks and their response to conditions in the United States. Southern African Americans as well as African Americans north of the south will be discussed.
HIST 516: African Americans to 1900 Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters The role of African Americans in the development of United States history will be covered from the colonial period to 1900. Emphasis will be upon the relationship of African Americans to the African Diaspora and the place of women in African American culture and society.
HIST 518: History of Baltimore Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course covers the history of Baltimore from its founding in 1729 to the present. Special emphasis will be placed on Baltimore’s African American community and the availability of local research sources.
HIST 519: The Ethnic Experience in America Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters An investigation of the experience of Blacks, American Indians, and various immigrant groups in a historical context will be covered. Similarities and differences in the experiences of the groups, their interaction and their impact will be studied.
HIST 520: A History of American Urbanization Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course will be a study of American urban history. Beginning with the colonial town, the course will trace the growth of the city to the present. Urban migration, way of life, industrialization, minority groups, and the growth of urban social institutions will be emphasized.
HIST 523: Women in American History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters An examination of the role of women from many classes and groups(Black, immigrant, working class, etc.) in the nation’s development will be the focus of the class. Attention will be given to major historiographic trends and controversies.
HIST 525: Legacy of the Great Depression and the New Deal Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course examines the Great Depression and the response of the Franklin Roosevelt administration. It assesses the consequences of public policy about social services, employment and economy regulation and the evolution of organized labor.
HIST 526: The United States at War in the Twentieth Century Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course will be a comparative study of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the War in Vietnam with emphasis on the changes they brought in U.S. society on the economy, women and minorities, civil liberties tradition, attitudes and values.
HIST 529: The Environmental Crisis in Historical Perspective Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course will consider environmental problems in light of both their historical development and current implications. Social and economic effects of environmental decline will be treated, as will proposed solutions. Special emphasis will be placed on minority communities and Third World environmental problems.
HIST 530: Colloquium: African American History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course will explore special topics in African American history.
HIST 531: Colloquium: African Diaspora History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Changing topics in comparative African Diaspora history will be studied in relationship to the United States, the Caribbean and Africa.
HIST 560: Colloquium in African History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course will examine special topics in African history
HIST 561: Pre-Colonial Sub-Sahara Africa Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Problems in the history of Sub-Sahara Africa before the partition by the Europeans will be examined both in detail and critical analysis.
HIST 562: Colonial and Contemporary Sub-Sahara Africa Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters The history of Sub-Sahara Africa since the partition will be examined. Topics will include the nature of imperial rule, the development of African nationalism, and various problems of the emerging African independent states.
HIST 570: Colloquium: American History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course will examine special topics in American history
HIST 571: Colloquium: State and Local History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Special topics in state and local history will be researched and discussed.
HIST 572: Latin American History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Beginning with Pre-Columbia times, the course will survey social, economic and political developments in Central and South America from colonial times to the present, with focus upon ethnic and racial diversity as well as U. S. relations.
HIST 575: A History of the Caribbean Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters The course will survey the historical, social, political, and cultural processes and the structures that exist among the major Caribbean states with focus on race, ethnicity and U.S. relations.
HIST 580: Historical Origins of Contemporary Problems Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Students will examine selected “hot spot” around the world. This course will emphasize both understanding of the current situation and analysis of its historical origins. Topics will vary according to world events and student interest.
HIST 598: Historiography and Historical Methods Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall Semester In this course, students develop proficiency in the basics of research, examine the issues and controversies of history as an enduring discipline, and become familiar with a representative sampling of established historians and their work. A major emphasis will be on library usage and research techniques. This course, or its equivalent, is the prerequisite for HIST 804, and all courses above the 500 level.
HIST 599: Historical Writing Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Spring Semester This course teaches graduate students in the Department of History and Geography the historical method through research and written exercises.
HIST 605: The United States Constitution and Public Policy Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course will stress the application of constitutional law upon selected public policies and political actions throughout the history of the United States.
HIST 610: Colloquium on U.S. History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course will include reading, critical analysis, research and discussion of special topics in U.S. public policy. Repeatable
HIST 613: History of South Africa Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters The course will focus upon the struggle between indigenous groups such as the Zulus and Europeans who have attempted to control the region since the 19th century.
HIST 615: History of Traditional West Africa Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Selected ethnic groups from this region of Sub-Sahara Africa will be studied in terms of culture, economy, and politics in the pre-colonial period.
HIST 617: African Americans in the Twentieth and Twenty-first Century Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters The role of African Americans in the development of United States history will be covered from 1900 to present. Emphasis will be upon African American responses to civil rights, the African Diaspora, the place of women, and the Black culture in their communities. Repeatable
HIST 618: Recent Trends and Issues in Historiography Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Students will examine the contemporary discussion and debates among the leading historians regarding recent historical investigation and analysis. Topics will vary. Repeatable
HIST 626: Colloquium in Caribbean History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course will cover specific topics in Caribbean history that have made a major impact upon the region.
HIST 631: Colloquium in the History of African Americans Before 1900
Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters
This course will address the history and historiography of African Americans before 1900, addressing some of the major analytic questions and debates that guide the field of African American history.
HIST 632: Colloquium in the History of African Americans after 1900
Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters
This course will address the history and historiography of African Americans after 1900, addressing some of the major analytic questions and debates that guide the field of African American history.
HIST 641: Readings in American Urbanization to 1900 Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters
This readings course introduces graduate students to the literature on American urbanization before 1900. The readings focus on major cities in the eastern U.S. It is the first half of a two-course sequence in urban history, which will also provide a foundation for a graduate field in U.S. History.
HIST 642: Readings in American Urbanization after 1900 Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters
This readings course introduces graduate students to the literature on American urbanization after 1900. The readings focus on major cities in the U.S. and race, class, gender, and ethnicity in the urbanization and suburbanization of America.
HIST 651: Africana Sports Studies and History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters
The course examines athletics, sports, and athletes in Black communities from the emergence of mass spectator sports in the nineteenth century to the present. The course employs an African Studies framework and ways of knowing, with emphases on uplift and protest.
HIST 680: Advanced History Colloquium Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Special topics of current interest in the historical profession will be discussed and researched in depth. Topics will change and/or rotate. Repeatable
HIST 702: Seminar in African History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters A major research paper is required on a specific theme in African History with discussion and analysis of the theme.
HIST 705: Seminar in African American History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters A major research paper is required on a specific theme in African American History with discussion and analysis of the theme. Repeatable.
HIST 707: Principles of Archival Theory Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course will provide a review of archival literature that outlines and defines the basic theories of archival administration and records management. It will also develop concepts for the practical demonstration of archival principles.
HIST 708: Oral History Approach to the Study of 20th Century United States History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This is an introduction to methods and techniques of oral history. Supervised oral history research projects on selected topics are included.
HIST 7I0-711: Directed Readings Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Each course Recent scholarship in selected historical themes will be explored and discussed will be explored. (Repeatable)
HIST 713: Seminar in African Diaspora History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters A major research paper is required on a specific theme in African Diaspora History with discussion and analysis of the theme. Repeatable.
HIST 715: Seminar in Twentieth Century United States History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters A major research paper is required on a specific theme in Twentieth Century U.S. History with discussion and analysis of the theme. Repeatable.
HIST 717: Seminar in Urban History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters A major research paper is required on a specific theme in U.S. Urban History with discussion and analysis of the theme.
HIST 722: Seminar in U.S. History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters A major research paper is required on a specific theme in U.S. Urban History with discussion and analysis of the theme. Repeatable.
HIST 726: Seminar in Caribbean History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters A major research paper is required on a specific theme in Caribbean History with discussion and analysis of the theme.
HIST 727: Readings in Caribbean History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course will examine the works and views of the major writers and historians about the multicultural experiences of the Caribbean. Specific topics will be examined. Repeatable.
HIST 729: Readings in African History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course is an extensive examination of the works, views, and perspectives of major historians on the multicultural experience of Africa. Specific topics will be examined at each offering. Repeatable.
HIST 731: Readings in African Diaspora History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Changing topics in comparative African Diaspora history will be studied in relationship to the United States, the Caribbean and Africa. Repeatable.
HIST 788-789: Supervised Research: Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters These courses are designed to enable students to participate in research in selected topic areas. Students are required to submit research findings orally in class and to submit a final paper (repeatable)
HIST 797: Thesis Guidance Two Hours: 2 Credits P Prerequisites: HIST. 799 Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Thesis guidance provides students who have not completed their thesis in the assigned semester a mechanism for continuing their work under faculty supervision. Thesis Guidance courses earn ‘S” grades.
HIST 799: Thesis Seminar Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Thesis seminar provides group and one-on-one study, plus introduction to and coordination of the thesis research process. The adviser will provide the student with the framework for researching and writing on a topic of mutual agreement. The grade is “CS” until the thesis is completed and approved.
HIST 801: Advanced Readings in African American History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Through this course the doctoral student will become firmly grounded in the literature of African American history including classics” and publications on the cutting-edge of contemporary scholarship.
HIST 802: Advanced Readings in African Diaspora History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Through this course, the doctoral student will become firmly grounded in the literature of the African Diaspora history including classics” and publications on the cutting-edge of contemporary scholarship.
HIST 803: Advanced Readings in Twentieth Century United States History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Through this course, the doctoral student will become grounded in the literature-of the history of the United States in the Twentieth Century including “classics” and publications on the cuffing-edge of contemporary scholarship.
HIST 804: Advanced Historiography Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall Semester This course equips the doctoral student with detailed knowledge and research skills necessary for developing historical interpretations and paradigms to complete the dissertation with understanding of cutting edge historiography. The prerequisite for this course is HIST 598 or its equivalent.
HIST 807: Practicum in Archival Methods Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: HIST. 707 Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course will concentrate on methods, skills, and the practical application of historical knowledge to archival work. It includes one or more field experiences.
HIST 808: Practicum in Oral History Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: HIST. 708 Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course will concentrate on methods, skills, and the practical application of oral history to historical research. It includes one or more field experiences in collecting oral evidence.
HIST 880-881: Independent Study Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters Each course provides in-depth research on a topic requiring a one-on-one relationship between doctoral student and professor.
HIST 901: Dissertation Proposal Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course is an introduction to research, organization, writing, and revising of the doctoral dissertation proposal.
HIST 997: Dissertation Guidance Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: HIST. 901 and HIST. 998 Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This is the in-residency course which follows HIST 998, providing group and individual guidance. Dissertation Guidance courses earn “S” grades.
HIST 998: Dissertation Seminar Three Hours: 3 Credits Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Term(s): Fall and Spring Semesters This course provides group and one-on-one guidance between the student and dissertation advisor, who will provide the framework for researching and writing on the topic approved by the dissertation committee. The grade is “CS” until the dissertation is completed and approved. Students are required to take 998.
Contact Information
Department of History, Geography, and Museum Studies
Dr. Daryl Scott
Chairperson
Mailing Address:
Morgan State University
Martin D. Jenkins Hall
Behavioral & Social Sciences Center
1700 E. Cold Spring Lane
Suite 223
Baltimore, MD 21251
Building Address:
1600 Havenwood Road
Baltimore, MD 21218
View on Campus Map
P: 443.885.3090
E: cla@morgan.edu
Contact Information
Department of History, Geography, and Museum Studies
Dr. Daryl Scott
Chairperson
Mailing Address:
Morgan State University
Martin D. Jenkins Hall
Behavioral & Social Sciences Center
1700 E. Cold Spring Lane
Suite 223
Baltimore, MD 21251
Building Address:
1600 Havenwood Road
Baltimore, MD 21218
View on Campus Map
P: 443.885.3090
E: cla@morgan.edu