Degree Type: 

Master of Arts

Department: 

Department of History

Programme Duration: 

1 year (Standard Entry)

Modes of Study: 

Regular

About Programme: 

Not Published

Entry Requirements: 

  1. Have a first degree with at least, Second Class Lower Division in History, African Studies, Political Science/Studies, B.Ed. Arts with History Major and other related humanities.
  2. Submit an official transcript of academic record.
  3. Submit at least, two referees’ report, one of which must be from a former lecturer.
  4. Satisfy any additional requirements prescribed by the University of Cape Coast, College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Department of History.

Goal / Aim / Objectives: 

Not Published

Career Opportunities: 

Not Published

Programme Structure

Level 800

First Semester

HIS 801: Economic and Social History of Ghana
3 Credit(s)

The course examines the important economic and social development that occurred in Ghana after the abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and its replacement by legitimate trade, the expansion of British economic activity, European missionary activity, imposition of British rule and the social and economic consequences of these developments for the people of Ghana.

HIS 802: Historiography of Africa
3 Credit(s)

The course examines the nature of the writing of African history over the years, the persons who have written, the readership for which they wrote, the sources and methodology used and the assumptions and presumptions of the different types of historical writing on Africa. It alerts students to the need to distinguish between fact and fantasy or prejudice.

HIS 803: West Africa and Brazil
3 Credit(s)

The course discusses relations between West Africa and Brazil through the centuries since the 16th century. It highlights trade, human, diplomatic, and cultural exchanges that occurred over the five centuries between the two sides. Through lecture and students own research, and seminar presentations, a deeper understanding of the ties that came to exist between West Africa and Brazil through the slave and other types trade and exchanges is expected from this course.

HIS 804: Directed Reading
3 Credit(s)

Under this course, students are requested to read on specific themes of their choice and write reports on the readings. The course enables students to develop critical skills in literature review.

HIS 805: Philosophy of History and Methodology
3 Credit(s)

This course provides advance training in historical methodology to students. It enables them to understand the nature of history and the various theories and philosophies that frame the discipline. It sharpens their skills in the techniques of historical research and data analysis.

HIS 807: Europe Since 1945
3 Credit(s)

This course introduces students to the main developments in Europe since 1945 i.e. post-war reconstruction, decline of European empires, spread of Communism and the Cold War. The course will provide the background to the understanding of developments in the European colonies in Africa and the outcome of these developments. It explains further why some African leaders joined the Non-Aligned Movement. The course will enable students to appreciate the growing American influence in the world.

Second Semester

HIS 811: Military and One-Party Rule in Post-Independence West Africa
3 Credit(s)

The course enables students to undertake an in-depth study of one of the distinct features of post-independence governance in West Africa. Through detailed analyses of such major themes as independence constitutional framework, problems of economic development and national integration, performance of civilian rulers, restriction of political freedom through one-party systems, conditions predisposing to military take-overs, reaction to military rule – both domestic and foreign, nature of military and one-party rule, co-operation of civilian collaboration, and return to civilian rule – fake or genuine, the course will provide thorough understanding of all features and dimensions the phenomenon of military rule and one-party systems in independent Africa.

HIS 812: Intellectual History of Ghana
3 Credit(s)

This is designed to provide students with greater insights into the political and social ideas of some of the intellectual greats of Ghana who articulated their ideas and perceptions on the political, economic, and social issues of their day and their prescriptions for addressing them. Authors to study include, S.R.B. Attoh-Ahuma, Reverend C.C. Reindorf, Reverend B. Annaman, J.M. Sarbah, J. E. Casely-Hayford, W.E.G. Sekyi, J.B. Danquah, Kwame Nkrumah, and K.A. Busia of Ghana and two important non-Ghanaian intellectuals – E.W. Blyden and J. Africanus Horton.

HIS 899: Thesis / Dissertation
3 Credit(s)

Students reading this course present their research proposals and go on to write an extended essay (thesis) prior to graduation.