Economic and Social History
These specialist master's programmes offer a unique framework for research training in economic and social history. The compulsory core qualifying papers provide an opportunity to evaluate a range of different approaches, and also for the students to influence and respond to each other. They impart a common language, and create a close and friendly community, in which ideas are shared, and strong personal ties are forged. The course community provides a base from which to venture out and experience the other rewards of Oxford, intellectual, social, and cultural.There are two taught programmes on offer: the Master of Science (M.Sc.), a one-year programme, and the Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.), a two-year programme They offer a wide range of options and allow students to specialize in economic and/or social history, or historical demography, although the boundaries between these areas are deliberately permeable. Both courses may be studied as free-standing graduate programmes, or undertaken as potential entry points to a doctoral programme. All students will be encouraged to attend some of the faculty’s many advanced research seminars. The admission of any candidate for further study at Oxford will depend on his/her overall performance in the master’s programme, together with the viability of any proposed research topic and the availability of appropriate supervision at Oxford.
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Requirements for the degree include:- What happened and why: starting research in economic and social history: This course, required for all students, focuses on social sciences methodologies and approaches is taught through a series of lectures and parallel classes during Michaelmas and the first half of Hilary Term.
- Quantitative methods and computer applications for economic and social history: Students will be allocated to either the Standard or the Advanced Course, depending on their previous training. More advanced students will be able to take a quantitative methods course provided as part of the M.Phil. in Economics, subject to satisfying admission criteria.
- Standard Course: a simple and very informal introduction to elementary quantitative methods covering some of the techniques most widely used in research in the historical and social sciences and emphasizing the relevance of the historical issues. No prior knowledge of mathematics or statistical theory is expected.
- Advanced course: intended for students who have already been introduced to some form of quantitative methods, with the first few sessions serving as a refresher course in elementary quantitative methods. The course aims to ensure that students are aware of the range of quantitative techniques available for analysing problems in Economic & Social History. They will be taught how to use a number of popular statistical and econometric packages. Teaching sessions will involve computer class-work.
- Two Advanced Papers: Advanced papers are usually taught in small classes, mostly during Hilary Term. Assessment is usually by three-hour written examination, but candidates may choose to be assessed for one of their advanced papers by two extended essays of up to 5,000 words each.
- A dissertation of not more than 15,000 words on a topic of the student's choice, approved by her or his supervisor, and submitted at the end of September.
Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.)
Requirements for the degree include:- What happened and why: starting research in economic and social history: This course, required for all students, focuses on social sciences methodologies and approaches is taught through a series of lectures and parallel classes during Michaelmas and the first half of Hilary Term.
- Quantitative methods and computer applications for economic and social history: Students will be allocated to either the Standard or the Advanced Course, depending on their previous training. More advanced students will be able to take a quantitative methods course provided as part of the M.Phil. in Economics, subject to satisfying admission criteria.
- Standard Course: a simple and very informal introduction to elementary quantitative methods covering some of the techniques most widely used in research in the historical and social sciences and emphasizing the relevance of the historical issues. No prior knowledge of mathematics or statistical theory is expected.
- Advanced course: intended for students who have already been introduced to some form of quantitative methods, with the first few sessions serving as a refresher course in elementary quantitative methods. The course aims to ensure that students are aware of the range of quantitative techniques available for analysing problems in Economic & Social History. They will be taught how to use a number of popular statistical and econometric packages. Teaching sessions will involve computer class-work.
- Four Advanced Papers: Advanced papers are usually taught in small classes, mostly during Hilary Term. Assessment is usually by three-hour written examination, but candidates may choose to be assessed for up to two of their advanced papers by two extended essays of up to 5,000 words each.
- A dissertation of not more than 30,000 words on a topic of the student's choice, approved by her or his supervisor, and submitted at the beginning of Trinity Term in the second year of the programme.
Programmes
- Research degrees (by thesis only)
- Master of Letters (M.Litt.)
- Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil.)