Course Offerings
Students construct their curricula, in consultation with their advisers, from the following types of courses offered by the Department of History:
- 405 Seminars in Historical Analysis: A varying menu of courses in methodology and/or theory. At least two seminars are offered every year.
- 410 (American history), 430 (European history), or 450 (African history): Field seminars designed to familiarize students in each division of the graduate curriculum with pivotal issues, interpretations, controversies, research techniques, and works in the field.
- 420s (American history), 440s (European history), 460s (African history) or 480s (other): Topical seminars. A variety of topical seminars are offered every quarter.
- 490/99 Directed Reading: Tutorials, taken on a graded (499) or ungraded (490) basis, arranged between individual students and faculty for the study of specific areas and topics; tutorials sometimes include attendance at advanced undergraduate course lectures. Up to two 490s may consist of service in teaching assistantships.
- 570 First-year Research Seminar: A two-quarter course in which all first-year students meet together with a single supervising faculty member, but conduct individual research projects based on primary sources under the codirection of another professor. Offered annually, the 570 seminar is a key component of the first-year program.
- 580 Directed Research in History: Directed research in the second year, conducted over two quarters on a tutorial basis with a selected supervisor. Usually but not necessarily in a student's field of specialization, the tutorial ideally serves as the entrée to work on a dissertation.
For recent course offerings in the graduate program, see our archive of course planners.