History

Track Advisor:

Jeffrey Moran
jefmoran@ku.edu

Those who satisfy the requirements for the history track will be prepared to pursue or to enhance careers in the operation of historical institutions for which academic degrees in the field of history too seldom qualify them. The resources available to students at the University of Kansas, both in terms of faculty and facilities, strongly support the program in history.

The University’s Kenneth Spencer Research Library offers strong resources for support of the program. The building itself was specifically designed for archival purposes, with environmental and security controls, stack rooms, and curatorial and research areas. It also has extensive exhibit areas and provision for exhibit preparation and conservation activities. The departments which make up the library (the University Archives, the Kansas Collection, and the Department of Special Collections) carry on active programs of acquisition, processing, exhibits, and readers’ services, and are staffed by archivists, manuscript curators, a conservator, and rare books librarians outstanding for the range and depth of their expertise. The library’s large collections include a wide geographic, chorological and subject range of archives, manuscripts, and rare books with additional significant holdings of photographs, maps, films, cartoons, and other research materials. Adding further depth and diversity to the resources available to the program are the holdings, facilities, and staff of cooperating historical agencies in the area, such as the Douglas County Historical Society, the Kansas State Historical Society, the Federal Archives and Records Center in Kansas City, and the Harry S. Truman Library.

Primarily full-time members of the University’s Department of History will offer the courses in the history sequence. Many of the faculty have teaching and research interests that contribute to the Museum Studies program, including numismatics, cartography, genealogy and family history, diplomatics, decorative arts, and audiovisual applications.

Requirements

Students pursuing the History track will be required to complete 18 credit hours of course work in History, 18 hours of required Museum Studies courses, and 6 hours of internship, distributed as follows:

1. Required Museum Studies courses (18 hours)

2. Required History courses (18 hours)
   
   Courses must include at least one graduate seminar or colloquium in a field in history. This field, chosen with approval of the Department of History, must emphasize the geographical area or theme and the chronological period most closely related to the student’s career interests in historical administration. It is strongly recommended that students take Oral History (HIST 601), a course in material culture, and courses in American history.

3. Internship (6 hours)
   
   The provision of practical experience has long been standard in graduate degree programs dealing with the field of history. Therefore, candidates for the Museum Studies degree must complete an internship in an institution that can, under professional supervision, provide them with quality practical experience which will best match their abilities, backgrounds, and interests. A written report drawn from the internship is required for completion of the degree.
   
   HIST 799 Museum Studies Apprenticeship. Provides directed, practical experience in the collection, care, use, and/or management of historical materials.

4. Master’s Examination
   
   Each student must pass a comprehensive oral examination over the whole degree program. This examination is conducted by a three- or four-member committee, comprising the track advisor (serving as chairperson), a second person with responsibility for professional courses, and a faculty member responsible for the graduate history field.
   

For more information about the History Department, click here.