Disciplines and areas of study
History
Enquiries: (03) 9479 2430
The History Program caters to students wishing to pursue studies in the history Australia and the Pacific, North America, Latin America, Britain, and Europe, and gender relations in Western countries in recent times. It also specialises in colonial and post-colonial histories and in transnational perspectives.
From the inception of La Trobe University, its history teaching has been innovative, emphasising the close reading of primary sources and their intensive discussion in tutorials and workshops. This has given rise to unique features in the Honours program. This in turn has laid the basis for strong and nurturing supervision in its medium-sized postgraduate program.
Students pursuing research degrees attend a weekly seminar involving fellow students and staff where they receive research training and present papers outlining their research, or detailed aspects of it. This seminar provides a supportive monitoring of research progress and underpins the Program’s strong completion and success rate. When writing their theses, students are encouraged to maintain regular contact with their supervisors, who are appointed for their expertise in the field.
The international reputation of many of the staff encourages visits by leading academics from Europe and North America, who give lectures and seminars. Postgraduate students are encouraged to attend these special events, as well as the regular staff seminars.
In recent years history postgraduate students have gained strong national recognition for their work, with scholarly books and articles accepted for publication, and invitations to present papers at national and overseas conferences. The Program and the Faculty offer financial support for these activities.
Principal areas of specialisation
Principal areas of specialisation are Aboriginal studies, colonial and post-colonial studies on Australia, the Pacific and North America, Britain and Europe (including imperialism) Latin American history, religious studies, women’s studies, and modern gender relations in Western countries.
History at La Trobe has earned the reputation of being one of the best teaching and research history schools in Australia. Staff publish prolifically in areas such as Australian, British, European, North American, and Latin American history - ethnographic and social history - early Christianity; European imperialism - Aboriginal - and gender and women’s studies.
Coursework programs
- Graduate Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences
- Graduate Certificate in Humanities and Social Sciences
Research programs
- Master of Arts by Research
- Doctor of Philosophy