History, Ph.D.

Historiography (3 Credit Hours)

In the first term, students will take HIST 6300 , a historiography course that introduces them to the professional study of history. Readings vary from year to year, but cover a broad range of methodologies, perspectives and topics. The course also addresses historical writing, research techniques and historical sources.

American History (12 Credit Hours)

The major field in American history offers broad preparation. During the first two years, students take a sequence of four colloquia (12 credit hours) in which they read intensively in American history from the era of Indian-European contact to the present. The intention is that they should master the historiography of the field. These colloquia emphasize new problems, interpretations and debates vital to the study of American history.

Regional, Ethnic, or Other Specialization (18 Credit Hours)

While the department maintains strong specializations in the Southwest, the West, Mexico, Borderlands, Mexican Americans, and Native Americans, students may instead opt to develop an individualized specialization of 18 credit hours in a coherent field of study in American history approved by the Graduate Committee. Students may also wish to enrich their historical understandings by taking courses in other disciplines, such as anthropology, literature or religious studies. The courses should be chosen in consultation with the adviser.

The program offers unusual opportunities for students to broaden and deepen their knowledge. Resources include the Clements Center for Southwest Studies, with its symposia, research fellows and distinguished visitors; SMU’s DeGolyer Library, a repository for a remarkable collection of books and manuscripts on Mexico and the Southwest; and the Meadows Museum of Art, which houses perhaps the world’s finest collections of early modern Spanish art outside of Spain. For students with more interdisciplinary interests, the Bridwell Library provides a wealth of primary sources for the study of religious history; the Underwood Law Library supports the study of legal history, including that of international law; and the Center for Presidential History allows for research in the domestic and foreign affairs of the United States.

Global and Comparative History (12 Credit Hours)

The third field, in global and comparative history (12 credit hours), places the American experience in larger contexts by introducing students to the theoretical and conceptual frameworks that have guided advanced research in world history in recent decades. The field also provides broad interdisciplinary views of particular topics of global significance. Students begin this field of study by taking a colloquium (three credit hours) that explores influential methodologies and theoretical perspectives in global and comparative history. After this colloquium students take three courses (nine credit hours) that treat, in comparative contexts, such themes and topics as urbanization, migration, industrialization, revolution, colonialism, postcolonialism, slavery, and gender roles.

The courses taken in the specialized and global fields may vary in both content and method; these may be graduate courses, graduate/undergraduate senior level reading seminars, and also individual directed readings. If individual interests and requirements justify doing so, a limited number of these courses may be taken in another department.

Ph.D. Research Paper Requirement

Students will write two substantial research papers during the first two years of study. The goal is to produce significant work based on primary sources and of a quality comparable to an article in a scholarly journal.

Qualifying Examination

An oral examination on three fields of concentration will be taken in the spring term of the third year of study.

Teaching Practicum

(noncredit)

In HIST 7000 , a study of methods and content in the teaching of history is coupled with classroom teaching experience.

Dissertation (3 Credit Hours)

Upon completion of the dissertation, a formal defense is conducted before an examination committee of four faculty members.

Teacher Preparation

Learning to be an effective instructor is a vital part of the Ph.D. program. The centerpiece of teacher preparation, to occur in the fourth year, is a mentoring program tailored to the interests and needs of each student. In HIST 7000 , students will work closely with a professor in the planning and teaching of an individual course. They will also meet with the professor to discuss topics related to teaching and participate in the teaching assistant seminar offered by SMU’s Center for Teaching Excellence. Finally, students themselves will teach a course at SMU or a cooperating institution.

Total: 48 Credit Hours