Department of History Master's Essays, 1971-1989

Creator:: Columbia University. Department of History
Extent:: 29.58 linear feet 23 record cartons 2 document boxes
Language:: English .
Scope and content:: The collection consists of the Master's essays or theses submitted to the Department of History from 1971 to 1989.
Biographical / historical:: The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is made up of the three nonprofessional faculties: the Faculty of Political Science, of Philosophy and of Pure Science. Study under these faculties leads to the degrees of MA, MPhil and PhD. Graduate students in the Department of History, part of the Faculty of Political Science, are required to submit for deposit a Master's essay or thesis for the MA degree. In the early 1970s, the Master's essay was a research paper prepared in seminar and often readied over the summer or the next term for deposit. In the mid-1970s, the Department of History changed its admissions policy and offered MA degrees to two different student groups. Fulltime students were admitted only as candidates for the PhD degree, and the MA and MPhil degrees were awarded as students completed the requirements for each degree. Fulltime students submitted a Master's essay that was completed as part of a one-year-long research seminar. The Department also admitted part-time students, who were primarily those who did not aspire to a PhD degree. Part-time students were also required to complete a substantial paper from one of the research seminars offered by the Department. The requirements for the Master's essay or research paper, both for fulltime and part-time students, specify that the work should not exceed 50 typed pages in length. The same admissions policy and degree requirements remained in place for the duration of the period covered by this collection.

Processing information:

This collection was processed by Emily Burns (CC 2017) and Kasey Broekema (CC 2020) in 2016-2017.

Finding aid written by Joanna Rios February 2017.

Arrangement:

Material is organized alphabetically by author or MA degree candidate and by month and year the thesis was submitted. From 1970-1971 to 1973-1974, MA degrees were awarded three times a year: in December, February and May. Starting in 1974-1975, degrees were awarded in October, January and May.

Accruals:

No additions are expected

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection has no restrictions.

This collection is located offsite. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

Terms of access:

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:: Identification of specific item (author and thesis title); Date; Department of History Master's Essays; Box and Folder (if known); University Archives, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Location of this collection:: Columbia University Archives

University Archives Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:: Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.

Contact:: uarchives@columbia.edu

Collection