The main objective of the Master of Arts in History programme is to offer specialised training in the nature and practice of the discipline to teachers in the higher levels of the secondary schools, and to other interested persons. It is also an excellent preparation for those wishing to proceed to read for the M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees in History. It is offered as a part-time programme spread over two years.

Students are required to read three year-long courses (9 credits each) and to write a research paper of between 10,000 and 15,000 words.  (9 credits)

Yearlong Courses (each carries 9 credits):

HIST 6099: The Development of Society of the English-speaking Caribbean after Emancipation:  Social Formation and Race Relations, 1838-1938.

This course considers in some detail how post-emancipation Caribbean societies developed between the 1830s and the 1930s. The focus is on Social and Cultural History, on race relations and class formation, and on development of material and expressive culture among the different classes and ethnic segments.

HIST 6599: Theory and Methods of History

This course considers some of the major theoretical issues with which historians grapple (philosophy of history, causation and analysis, Marxist and other theories of historical change). It then deals with methods and sources, considering (among other topics) written primary sources, work in archives, oral history, oral traditions, quantification in history and archaeology.

HIST 6899: Historiography, with special reference to the Caribbean 

This course is divided into two parts. Part One traces the evolution of Western historiography from the Renaissance to the 20th century.  Part Two considers the development of a historiography of the Caribbean region, from the 16th to the 20th centuries. In part Two, particular themes (which have been the focus of historiographical debate) are discussed.

Research Paper

HIST 6199: M.A. Research Paper

The research paper carries 25% of the total marks for the programme.

Each course is examined by means of coursework assessment and a three-hour examination in summer and candidates are required to pass each segment. The coursework assessment counts for 50% of the final mark for each course. To qualify for the award of the degree, candidates must pass all courses and the research paper. 

The Department will accept candidates for the M.Phil. Degree if they are qualified (normally, a UWI Upper Second Class degree in History, or the equivalent from a foreign University), if they are deemed suitable for graduate study, if their proposed research can be supervised by members of the Department, and a substantial component can be carried out in Trinidad and Tobago.

All candidates for the M.Phil. and Ph.D., except those who have already taken the U.W.I. M.A. programme or its equivalent, will be required to pass EITHER HIST 6599: Theory and Methods of History OR HIST 6899: Historiography with special reference to the Caribbean (please see above).

MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY

Requirements for the M.Phil:

MPhil students must

• gain a passing grade in HIST 6599: Theory and Methods of History OR HIST 6899: Historiography with special reference to the Caribbean (please see above).
• present of a thesis of suitable standard and length on an approved subject, not necessarily involving original research, but worthy of publication.
• Successfully present two Department seminars.

Where recommended by the examiners, an oral examination on the general field of study and on the subject of the thesis may be required.

A candidate for the M.Phil degree may, after the consideration of his thesis by the Examiners, be recommended for the award of the degree; may be required to re-submit the thesis; or may be deemed to have failed outright.

Candidates registered for the M.Phil degree may be permitted to transfer to the Ph.D. at a later date with credit for work already done, if their performance is judged to warrant it after a special assessment seminar, and if the transfer is approved by the Department and the Campus Committee for Graduate Studies and Research.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Requirements for the Ph.D:

An applicant for the Ph.D. will normally be required to register initially for the M.Phil, but candidates who have performed exceptionally well in the M.A. programme may be considered for direct registration for the Ph.D.  This will be done case by case and based on merit.

PhD students will be required to

• Present of a dissertation of suitable standard and length on an approved subject, not less than three calendar years after first registration.  A thesis for the Ph.D. will not be deemed adequate unless:

1. It is judged to be a new contribution to knowledge in the subject;
2. It shows clear evidence of original research;
3. It is worthy of publication.

• Successfully present three research seminars.

An oral examination on the general field of study and on the subject of the thesis will be conducted after the dissertaion is submitted.  A candidate for the Ph.D. degree, having submitted the thesis and taken the oral examination, may be recommended by the Board of Examiners for the award of the degree; may be required to re-submit the thesis and/or repeat the oral examination; or may be deemed to have failed outright.