Page 146 of Boston College 2005-2006 University Catalog by Boston College University

sophomore year. Students planning to study abroad during their junior year are strongly advised to complete their History Core before embarking on such studies. All the Core history courses numbered HS 001-002 through HS 079-080 consist of large classes taught by a team of professors (either jointly or by splitting the year between them). All Core classes meet twice each week for lectures, and a third time in groups of 15 to 20 students for discussion of selected topics. These weekly discussion sections are an integral part of each Core course. All Core history courses assign between 100 and 200 pages of reading weekly, and require at least one paper and map assignment in addition to examinations. The Core history program is also offered in three other slightly different formats: HS 063-064 is an intensive small class designed for Honors students and HS 081-082 is taught in small classes (35 students). Finally, HS 093 (spring term) covers the topics of the first-half of the Core; HS 094 (fall term) covers the topics of the second half of the Core; and these reverse sequence courses are intended solely for students who need to begin or complete their History Core courses out of the usual semester pattern. Information for Study Abroad Many History majors and minors profit greatly from spending part or all of their junior year abroad. History majors may take as many as four courses abroad for major credit (and a maximum of two courses for upper-division credit), although six history courses (beyond the Core), including HS 300, must be taken at Boston College during the regular academic year. History minors may take as many as two courses abroad for minor credit (including one upper-division course). Students seeking major or minor elective credit need only show that they passed a course offered in a history department. Students seeking upper-division credit must arrange this with the Director of Undergraduate Studies after they complete the course. In making their case for upper-division credit, they should present the course syllabus and the paper(s) written for the course. (Save everything!) In spite of the limitations on courses accepted for major credit, students who have gotten a good start on Core and major requirements before leaving for study abroad should have no trouble completing them, even if they spend an entire year abroad. It is especially helpful if they complete the American Civilization requirement (HS 181-182) and the Study and Writing of History (HS 300) before studying abroad. Students who are contemplating a senior honors thesis and who will be abroad during the normal application process in the spring of their junior year are strongly urged to plan ahead. They should try to establish a thesis topic and to identify a faculty member willing to supervise their work before departing, and verify that they will be able to be in e-mail contact with their thesis advisor while abroad. They should be aware that the deadline for submission of applications is April 1 of their junior year. For additional information, they should consult with the director of the History Honors Program early in the semester prior to their departure for study abroad. For additional information on foreign study for history majors, please visit http://www.bc.edu/schools/cas/history/undergrad/major/foreign_study/. For more on the application of these guidelines to the history minor, please visit http://www.bc.edu/schools/cas/history/undergrad/minor/. If you have further questions about your study abroad, please contact Professor Paul Spagnoli, Director of Undergraduate Studies, at 617-552-3878 or by e-mail at paul.spagnoli@bc.edu. Graduate Program Description The M.A. and Ph.D. degrees are offered with concentrations in Medieval, Early Modern European, Modern European, American and Latin American history. The department also offers course work in African, Middle Eastern, and Asian history. For the Masters in Teaching (M.A.T.) program administered by the Lynch School of Education see under M.A. Programs, below. Doctor of Philosophy in History The Ph.D. degree in History is offered with concentrations in Medieval, Early Modern European, Modern European, American and Latin American history. The department also offers coursework in African, Middle Eastern and Asian history. During the first semester of full-time study, doctoral students choose a faculty advisor, who oversees the students progress in preparing for comprehensive exams and in developing a dissertation topic. The Ph.D. is a research degree and requires special commitment and skills. While the degree is not granted for routine adherence to certain regulations, or for the successful completion of a specified number of courses, there are certain basic requirements. Course and Residency Requirements: Students entering directly into the Ph.D. program are required to complete 42 credits, 36 of which are taken prior to comprehensive exams. All students in the Ph.D. program are required to pursue two semesters of full-time study during the first year and must, in the course of their studies, complete at least two seminars (one of which may be the Dissertation Seminar) and at least two colloquia (one in the major and one in a minor area). Plan of Study: By the conclusion of the first semester, and after full consultation with their professors and the Director of Graduate Studies, students file a plan of study leading to the comprehensive examination. This plan of study consists of three areas of concentration, including one designated as the major area. From within this major area, students choose two fields of study. Because students are expected to develop a mature understanding of this major area as a whole, one of these two major fields should be general in nature. Students then select one field of study from each of two additional areas of concentration. Usually faculty require that students take at least some formal coursework in each field and expect students to develop and master a reading list of important books and articles. With the approval of the advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies students may offer, as one of the two minor areas, a discipline related to History or a topic within that cuts across traditional geographical or chronological boundaries. When considered necessary to a students program, the department may require advanced-level work in a related discipline, either as a minor field or as supplemental work. This plan of study may be reviewed, evaluated and revised whenever necessary. However, changes must be approved by the faculty advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Fields of Study: American History U.S. to 1877 U.S. since 1860 Intellectual and Cultural Social, Economic, and Labor The Boston College Catalog 2005-2006 143 ARTS AND SCIENCES

[close]