Master of Arts in History

MASTER OF ARTS IN HISTORY (MAHIS)

The program is designed to develop critical thinking, high level of research, and teaching competence. It provides the students with an understanding of the broad functions and concepts of historical studies through a critico-theoretical approach. The program aims to develop skills in evaluating evidence, organizing information, clarifying and structuring concepts and writing narratives and expositions with Philippine history as core of the study. The M.A. program provides the students with the necessary foundation and training in research, writing, interpretation and teaching of history. The program prepares the graduate students for careers in teaching; research in history; executive as well as administrative positions; and other work opportunities in both government and private sectors. 

Course Requirements

Core Subjects: 6 units

Major Subjects: 18 units

Cognate Subjects: 6 units

Written Comprehensive Examinations (To be taken prior to thesis writing) 

Core Subjects (2)

Major Subject (1)

Language Proficiency (Spanish)

Publication in a Refereed Journal or Juried Creative Work

Master’s Thesis: 6 units

TOTAL UNITS: 36 units

Core Subjects

HIS 531M HISTORIOGRAPHY 1 (1521-1898)

The course HISTORIOGRAPHY 1 will expose the students to primary historical data and other sources of historical information from 1521-1898. The survey will include a study of archival materials, official publications, memoirs, travel accounts, secondary sources, and non-traditional materials that are useful in reconstructing the history of the Philippines. It will also identify the libraries, archives, museums and other depositories of historical data here and abroad. It is hoped that this survey of historical literature will be useful in the research of neglected topics in Philippine historiography.

HIS532M HISTORIOGRAPHY 2 (1898-Present)

The course HISTORIOGRAPHY 2 is a survey of primary historical data and other sources of historical information from 1898 until the contemporary period.  In particular, it will expose students to different archival materials, primary and documentary sources in the Philippines and abroad that would be helpful in writing about the different aspects of Philippine history. It will also help students to evaluate historical materials thus far written and in the process point out the gaps in historiography of the period.  
 
 

Major Subjects

HIS601M PRE-16th CENTURY

Through the use of new evidences from archaeological sources, the course will look closely at the advent and spread of human presence in the country from ancient times until the end of the 9th century AD. Patterns of migration, culture and settlement will be looked into to show how they varied or paralleled each other within the Philippines and in comparison with neighbouring countries in the region. This is done with the end view of being able to put together a clearer picture of the people and society that existed in the Philippines during the centuries immediately prior to European contact in the 16th century. Currently available anthropological and linguistic information in conjunction with recent data from archaeological field research would be complemented by foreign sources from China and Indonesia which would give a more substantial understanding of the foundation of Philippine history and culture.

HIS602M THE PHILIPPINES, 1521-1896

This course will cover the history of the Philippines from the arrival of the Europeans in 1521 until the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution of 1896. The perspective is focused on the history of the Filipinos against the backdrop of the Spanish colonial rule. 

HIS603M THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION AGAINST SPAIN AND THE UNITED STATES, 1896-1902

The course is a critical study of the Philippine Revolution against Spain and United States from 1896 to 1902. Through the use of archival and primary sources, it examines how the Philippine Revolution against Spain and the United States was played out in the different parts of the country. It will also discuss the situation, factors and developments in the nineteenth century Philippines that led to the outbreak of the Revolution. It will also analyze the ideological underpinnings, socio-economic context and relevance of the Philippine Revolution to the formation of national identity among Filipinos today.

HIS604M THE PHILIPPINES, 1902-1946

The course aims to examine the major developments during the American colonial period.  It will discuss the policies and institutions – political, economic, socio-cultural – that the American administration introduced in the Philippines and their repercussions and consequences on the life of the Filipinos.  Special attention will be given to discussions on some initiatives taken by Filipino leaders to influence American policy that would affect some developments in the Philippines, such as, for instance, on the issue of timing and terms of independence and the economic relations between the Philippines and the United States.  In 1935, a ten-year transition period prior to Philippine independence was inaugurated.  This was the period of the Commonwealth, which was interrupted by the Second World War and the Japanese occupation.  The dominant political period was President Manuel l. Quezon, who had committed the Commonwealth government to policies and programs which would prepare the country for full independence in 1946.  The course will discuss the brief but difficult period of the Japanese Occupation and its consequences on developments in the post-war period.  

HIS605M POST-WAR PHILIPPINES, 1946 TO PRESENT

The course is a general study of Contemporary Philippines, i.e., from post-World War II up to the present times. Particular stress will be given to the social, cultural, political, and economic developments in the Philippines in that period as well as the problems that beset the nation-state.  

HIS606M SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

This subject is a critical survey of the different theories on history and historiography. It focuses on the different philosophies of history from the Ancient Greeks down to the modern and postmodern periods. It also examines the development of Philippine historiography with emphasis on its beginnings during the Propaganda Movement until the present.
 
 

Cognate Subjects

These may be taken from the course offerings of other departments in the College of Liberal Arts (Social Science or Humanities).  The selection of courses must be done in consultation with the adviser or the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Written Comprehensive Examination

Students will take a comprehensive examination based on the two core subjects, one major subject which preferably is a period the student is planning to specialize, and language proficiency (Spanish).

Publication in a Refereed Journal or Juried Creative Work

In compliance with Sections 7 and 8 of CHED Memorandum Order No. 15 Series of 2019, MAHIS students must have at least one (1) publication in a refereed journal or juried creative work.

Master’s Thesis

Students are required to write an original research paper that tackles a specific historical topic. The narrative should be based on credible and authentic primary sources. The paper should have contributions to the existing body of literature about the chosen topic. Lastly, it should be well organized, the time framed must be specific, arguments must be clearly elucidated and must follow a standard form of documentation