COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in History (Thesis stream) at Trent University is a research-focused graduate program designed to provide advanced training in historical analysis, interpretation, and scholarly writing. The program emphasizes the development of strong theoretical understanding, methodological skills, and independent research capabilities across a range of historical fields. Students are required to complete 1.0 credit in HIST 5100Y, a core seminar that introduces key approaches to historiography, historical theory, and research methods. This course helps students engage with major debates in the discipline and develop the academic skills necessary for advanced historical inquiry. In addition, students complete 1.0 elective credit from approved graduate-level History courses, allowing them to specialize in areas such as Canadian, European, social, cultural, or transnational history based on their academic interests. The central component of the program is the thesis project, which involves conducting original, in-depth research on an approved topic under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The thesis is expected to make a meaningful scholarly contribution and demonstrate the student’s ability to apply advanced historical methods. Overall, the program prepares graduates for doctoral studies or professional careers in academia, research, archives, museums, education, and other fields requiring strong analytical and historical expertise.