University Senate Proposed:
Adopted:
RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM LEADING TO DUAL
MASTER OF ARTS DEGREES IN INTERNATIONAL AND WORLD HISTORY AT COLUMBIA
UNIVERSITY AND AT THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS.
WHEREAS
WHEREAS the proposed dual degree
program will provide students with the
opportunity to conduct original research with different faculties in distinct
but complementary intellectual environments,
WHEREAS
students will explore two universities, two countries, and two continents, with
all of the attendant differences in focus, attitudes, and teaching techniques,
WHEREAS
such an expanded perspective is invaluable for students of international and
world history,
WHEREAS
the Department of History at Columbia University and the Department of
International History at London School of Economics have complementary
strengths in course offerings and faculty expertise (Columbia is particularly
strong in the history of migrations, trade and consumption, social movements,
international and non-governmental organizations, while LSE is second to none
in political and diplomatic history),
WHEREAS
no other history program offers such a broad range of faculty expertise in
region, period, and methodology.
WHEREAS
the research skills acquired in first year core courses will be honed in the
second year thesis writing workshop,
WHEREAS
two years are required to achieve the level of foreign language fluency needed
to perform research using that language and/or in countries in which that
language is used,
WHEREAS
the close cultural relationship and common language of Britain and the U.S. enables
U.S. students to adjust quickly to the London School of Economics, and thereby
maximize the advantages of a two-year program,
WHEREAS the
proposed program neither replaces nor duplicates programs/courses offered by
other units of the University, and
WHEREAS there
is a clear need in the
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate establish the DUAL MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAM IN INTERNATIONAL AND WORLD HISTORY AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY AND AT THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate forward this resolution to the Trustees
for appropriate action.
Proponent:
Committee
on Education
November
5, 2007
Double MA program in International and
World History
The Advantage of the Two-Year Double
Degree
A
dual degree with LSE provides students with the opportunity to conduct original
research with different faculties in distinct but complementary intellectual environments.
They will be able to explore two universities, two countries, and two
continents, with all of the attendant differences in focus, attitudes, and
teaching techniques. Such an expansion of perspective is invaluable, even
indispensable, for students of international and world history. Yet the
relatively close cultural relationship between Britain and the U.S., and a
common language, allows students to make the necessary adjustments quickly, and
maximize the advantages of a two-year program.
The
two departments have complementary strengths in their course offerings and
faculty expertise. Columbia is particularly strong in the history of
migrations, trade and consumption, social movements, international and
non-governmental organizations, while LSE is second to none in political and
diplomatic history. Students can therefore select from a very broad range of
courses that neither department could provide singly. No other degree program
offers such a broad range of expertise in region, period, and methodology.
But this is a
research-oriented program, not just a collection of courses. That is one reason
why language training is such a key component, and adequate training in a
foreign language could not be achieved in one year. It is also unique in training
students in research skills – especially in the core courses – and then
requiring a year-long thesis-writing workshop. Two years is essential if we
want students to have adequate time both to develop and apply skills in framing
projects, analyzing the literature, and pursuing the requisite archival
research. Moreover, in addition to the designated supervisors from both
institutions, they will learn from faculty in different courses along with
their peer group. The program is a “boot camp” for students who want to
undertake original research in international and world history, a recognized
developmental priority not just in our two departments, but the larger
historical profession.
New
York and London also have tremendous advantages as sites for archival research
in international and world history. The British Library and National Archives
in Kew are unmatched for colonial and diplomatic history, and rapid rail links
mean that the national archives of France and the European Union in Paris and
Brussels are just two-to-three hours away. New York, for its part, offers the
archives of the United Nations as well as the largest international foundations
(Ford and Rockefeller). The U.S. National Archives are also a half-day’s
journey away.
The
two-site design and the two-year duration thus reflect the core values of the
program: encouraging a multi-perspectival approach to
our common past, but demanding rigorous and original research. It will provide
graduates with the opportunity to develop life-long contacts on both sides of
the Atlantic, using Columbia and LSE as launching pads for a wide range of
careers combining intellectual and professional development.
Access to Core and Elective Courses
One
reason the history department considers the MA program a top priority is that
we have had a significant reduction in the number of
graduate students over the past decade as we move to offering full-funding for
five years to everyone admitted. Between Columbia and Barnard, we have over one
hundred faculty offering history courses on this campus, and only 20-22 Ph.D.
students admitted each year. Bringing additional students to small classes will
stimulate discussion and prevent further reduction of graduate offerings. As
the original application notes, it might also help us to revive specialized
courses that have been discontinued because of the decline in the number of
graduate students. As for LSE, they would not have entered into this
partnership if they did not have ample capacity to admit more MA students, and they
have confirmed that these students will have the same right of entry to courses
as other MA students – for instance, those in the LSE-PKU program.
Students will be guaranteed admission to all core courses at both
institutions. As for electives, there are some that are subject to space
availability, notably the undergraduate seminars (i.e. Columbia’s 4000 level
courses) and, at LSE, some of the Economic History courses. But we expect that
students will choose the great majority of their courses from among the
graduate offerings within the two departments.
Breadth versus Depth
In-depth
training in history requires a focus on history courses. Courses from other
departments – i.e. sociology, anthropology, statistics, and economics – will be
available as electives (again, with permission from the instructor). During the
first year at Columbia students can take two electives. The LSE list of
year-long courses includes titles from its Economic History department.
Acceptance to the program does not require quantitative courses, but such
courses will be available to students who wish to take them, just as they will
be free to take courses in other, more “qualitative” disciplines.
Intended audience
With
the sharply increased competition to top-tier history Ph.D. programs
(multi-year, full-funding is now the norm at all peer institutions) a new need
for preparation beyond a BA degree has emerged. In the last four years, we have
received 177 applications for the Ph.D. track in international and global
history, but were only able to offer admission to 11. Approximately a third of
students admitted to Columbia’s Ph.D. program have been enrolled in MA
programs. Georgetown has just created a 3-4 semester “Master of Arts in Global,
International, and Comparative History.” We expect such MA programs to
proliferate in the coming years. We would like ours to establish a reputation
of excellence from the beginning.
Those
planning more advanced training in history will be the core constituency for
this program. It is necessary to have a specific audience in mind to create a
coherent curriculum. But at the same time, a vibrant program promoting both
research and debate in international and world history will attract people with
a wide variety of career goals, including students who will use the terminal MA
degree to further careers in the foreign service, journalism, NGO's,
international organizations, and the public sector. Many of our Ph.D. students
have found a doctorate in history to be valuable in pursuing a range of
different careers. As for secondary school history teachers, most earn an MA at
some
point.
This program would provide an excellent option for intellectually ambitious
secondary school teachers.
Language Training
Our
dual degree with LSE will expand students' perspectives, by exposing them to
two intellectual communities with two exceptionally distinguished faculties.
Even though we only list one contact person at the LSE, as a department of
international history all faculty will be part of the program. The fact that
much of the impetus for this program from the LSE side has come from
non-British professors is just one indication of London's invaluable role as a
gateway to Europe, both its history and its academic/intellectual
resources.
If
we were to partner with a university in a non-English speaking country we would
narrow our focus and limit our program. The LSE-Beijing program is of necessity
addressed to students who are focused on China. We have designed a language
requirement that is intended not to discourage study of a non-European language
(as would be the case, for instance, if we required proficiency before
graduation). But we will encourage students to learn the appropriate languages
required for their research, which could be for, example, Hungarian and German,
or Polish and Russian, or indeed Chinese and Korean.
Coordination with LSE
Students
often find advisors and mentors through reading the work of historians at other
universities. In this case, a new faculty exchange program will ensure that
there will be an LSE faculty member physically present at Columbia every year,
and a Columbia faculty member in residence at the LSE. This will further ensure
that students will be able to obtain advice and guidance in selecting an LSE
advisor, a process that will be overseen by the program coordinator and program
director.
Program Evaluation
The
quality control procedures described in the application will be undertaken by
both institutions. As the application states, "Our success will be
measured by student feedback," and this goes for both Columbia and the
LSE. Like Columbia, the LSE collects student evaluations for every course.
These contribute to discussions in the LSE’s Graduate
Staff-Student Committee, minutes of which are discussed at Staff Meetings. The
International History Department reviews all courses in an annual teaching and
exams meeting. There is also an external examiner who contributes to the
process. These evaluations will help to shape the program and its offerings,
especially in the first years.
Moreover,
the two institutions will jointly review the program. Our memorandum of
understanding calls for a formal review in the 2011/2012 academic year. By that
point, we will have the information needed to assess not only student
achievement and satisfaction, but also completion rates and placement.
Matthew Connelly
Associate Professor of
History
Line Lillevik,
Ph.D.
MA Program Coordinator