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M-A-HISTORY in History at University of Calicut
Malappuram, Kerala
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About the Specialization
What is History at University of Calicut Malappuram?
This M.A. History program at University of Calicut focuses on a comprehensive understanding of historical processes, theories, and methods. It provides deep insights into Indian and global historical narratives, emphasizing critical thinking and research skills. The program is designed to equip students with the analytical tools necessary for diverse career paths in India''''s growing heritage, education, and research sectors.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for history graduates seeking advanced academic knowledge and research skills. It caters to individuals passionate about exploring past events, social formations, and cultural patterns. Aspiring educators, researchers, archivists, and civil service aspirants will find the curriculum highly beneficial, especially those keen on understanding Indian history and its regional nuances.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue careers as historians, archaeologists, archivists, museum curators, and academic researchers in India. Opportunities also exist in journalism, publishing, and civil services. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3 LPA to 6 LPA, with significant growth potential in academia and specialized fields within government and non-profit organizations focused on cultural heritage.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Foundational Historiography and Research- (Semester 1-2)
Actively engage with core historiographical theories and historical methods taught in the first year. Focus on understanding different schools of thought, source criticism, and research ethics. Participate in department seminars and reading groups to discuss key historical texts and interpretations.
Tools & Resources
University Library (journals, primary sources), Jstor, Google Scholar, Zotero (reference management), departmental workshops on research methodology
Career Connection
Builds a strong analytical base crucial for academic research, historical interpretation, and critical thinking, essential for civil services and research roles.
Develop Strong Academic Writing Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate time to improving academic writing, critical analysis, and argumentation. Seek regular feedback on essays and assignments from professors and peers. Practice structuring historical arguments clearly and concisely, adhering to academic citation styles to refine scholarly communication.
Tools & Resources
University Writing Centre, Purdue OWL, specific style guides (e.g., Chicago Manual of Style), peer review sessions
Career Connection
Excellent writing is paramount for publishing research, drafting policy documents, and effective communication in any professional setting, including NGOs and government bodies.
Engage with Regional and Indian History Debates- (Semester 1-2)
Deepen understanding of Indian and Kerala history by actively participating in discussions, attending guest lectures by eminent historians, and critically analyzing primary and secondary sources. Focus on connecting regional narratives to broader national and global historical trends.
Tools & Resources
Archives (Kerala State Archives, university archives), local historical societies, specialized history journals (e.g., Indian Historical Review), historical documentaries
Career Connection
Provides specialized knowledge highly valued in Indian academia, heritage management, tourism, and state civil services, offering a competitive edge.
Intermediate Stage
Undertake Independent Research Projects- (Semester 3)
Leverage the ''''Project - Term Paper'''' opportunity to conduct in-depth research on a topic of personal interest. Learn to formulate robust research questions, collect and analyze evidence, and present findings in a structured manner, aiming for publication or conference presentations.
Tools & Resources
Research supervisors, inter-library loan services, archival databases, qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo basic features)
Career Connection
Develops essential research acumen, problem-solving skills, and academic independence, preparing for Ph.D. studies or specialized research roles.
Seek Internships in Cultural and Heritage Institutions- (Semester 3-4 (during semester breaks or alongside studies))
Actively look for internship opportunities at museums, archives, heritage sites, NGOs working on preservation, or government cultural departments. Gain practical experience in documentation, conservation, exhibition design, or public history initiatives.
Tools & Resources
University placement cell, online internship portals (Internshala, LinkedIn), direct outreach to cultural institutions
Career Connection
Provides crucial hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and a competitive edge for roles in heritage management, archaeology, and cultural tourism.
Cultivate Specialization through Electives and Dissertation- (Semester 3-4)
Thoughtfully choose elective courses that align with long-term career interests (e.g., Environmental History, Archaeology). For the dissertation, select a topic that deepens expertise in a chosen sub-field, demonstrating advanced scholarly contribution and original research.
Tools & Resources
Faculty advisors, specialized academic conferences, advanced literature in chosen field, peer review of dissertation chapters
Career Connection
Enables development of a niche expertise, crucial for academic positions, specialized research roles, and for standing out in the Indian job market.
Advanced Stage
Prepare for Competitive Exams and Further Studies- (Semester 4)
Begin early preparation for national-level competitive exams like UPSC Civil Services, UGC NET/JRF, or state PSC exams if a government or academic career is desired. Focus on general studies, historical analysis, and current affairs relevant to India. Explore Ph.D. opportunities.
Tools & Resources
Online coaching platforms, previous year question papers, current affairs magazines, UPSC/UGC NET study groups, mentorship from alumni in services
Career Connection
Directly enhances prospects for securing prestigious government positions, academic fellowships, or admission into doctoral programs across India.
Build a Professional Network and Portfolio- (Semester 4)
Attend academic conferences, workshops, and seminars to network with established historians and professionals in related fields. Develop a portfolio of research papers, projects, and internship experiences. Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with alumni and industry leaders.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, academic conference directories, departmental alumni network events, professional historical associations in India
Career Connection
Creates avenues for job referrals, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities, which are critical for career advancement in India''''s professional landscape.
Develop Digital History and Public Outreach Skills- (Semester 4)
Explore tools for digital humanities, such as GIS for historical mapping, digital archiving, and creating online historical narratives. Practice communicating historical insights to a wider audience through blogs, podcasts, or public talks, enhancing outreach capabilities.
Tools & Resources
Digital Humanities initiatives at universities, open-source GIS software, blogging platforms, podcast creation tools, local history societies for public talks
Career Connection
Prepares for emerging roles in digital archiving, museum education, media, and public policy, leveraging technology to make history accessible and relevant in contemporary India.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Candidates who have passed the B.A. Degree Examination (excluding B.A. Afsal-ul-Ulama) of the Calicut University or an equivalent examination of any other University are eligible for admission to M.A. History Programme.
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 72 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 20%, External: 80%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HY1C01 | Historiography | Core | 4 | Nature of History, Early Western Historiography, Enlightenment and Romanticism, Marxian and Annales Historiography, Modern Trends in Historiography, Oral History |
| HY1C02 | Social Formations and Cultural Patterns in Ancient and Early Medieval World | Core | 4 | Evolution of Human Society, Ancient River Valley Civilizations, Greek and Roman Civilizations, Rise and Growth of Feudalism, Early Medieval Culture, Islamic Civilization |
| HY1C03 | Foundations of Modern World | Core | 4 | Transition from Feudalism to Capitalism, Renaissance and Reformation, Scientific Revolution, Mercantilism and Colonialism, American and French Revolutions, Industrial Revolution |
| HY1C04 | History of Modern India (1857-1947) | Core | 4 | Revolt of 1857, Indian Nationalism, Emergence of Gandhi, Constitutional Developments, Partition of India, Social and Economic Changes |
| HY1A01 | History of Science and Technology in India | Audit | 2 | Ancient Indian Science, Medieval Scientific Traditions, Colonial Science and Technology, Modern Indian Scientific Institutions, Technology and Society, Indigenous Knowledge Systems |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HY2C05 | Historical Methods | Core | 4 | Nature and Scope of Historical Methods, Sources of History, Historical Criticism, Interpretation in History, Causation in History, Objectivity and Subjectivity |
| HY2C06 | Social Formations and Cultural Patterns in Modern World | Core | 4 | Rise of Capitalism, Imperialism and Colonialism, World Wars and Inter-War Period, Cold War and Decolonization, Emergence of New World Order, Globalization and its Impact |
| HY2C07 | State and Society in Early and Medieval India | Core | 4 | Ancient Indian Statecraft, Mauryan and Gupta Empires, Post-Gupta Polities, Delhi Sultanate State Structure, Mughal State and Administration, Medieval Indian Society and Economy |
| HY2C08 | History of Kerala (Ancient to 18th Century) | Core | 4 | Early Kerala Society and Culture, Sangam Age and Chera Kingdoms, Nambudiri Hegemony and Caste, Foreign Relations and Trade, European Colonial Penetration, Regional Kingdoms of Kerala |
| HY2A02 | Gender in History | Audit | 2 | Gender as a Historical Category, Women in Ancient India, Women in Medieval India, Colonial Period and Gender Issues, Women''''s Movements in India, Gender and Caste |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HY3C09 | Readings in Regional History | Core | 4 | Importance of Regional History, Sources for Regional History, Historiography of Regional Studies, Case Studies of Regional Cultures, Regional Identities and Nationalism, Micro-history Approaches |
| HY3C10 | Aspects of Socio-Economic History of Modern India (1707-1947) | Core | 4 | Decline of Mughal Empire, Rise of Regional Powers, Colonial Economy and its Impact, Land Revenue Settlements, De-industrialization and Poverty, Peasant and Tribal Movements |
| HY3C11 | History of Kerala (18th Century to 1956) | Core | 4 | Mysore Invasions, British Hegemony in Kerala, Social Reform Movements, Nationalism and Freedom Struggle, Prajamandalam Movement, Formation of Kerala State |
| HY3E01.1 | History of Education in India | Elective | 4 | Ancient Indian Education, Medieval Education Systems, Colonial Education Policies, Indigenous Education Initiatives, Modern Education System, Contemporary Challenges in Education |
| HY3E01.2 | Environmental History of India | Elective | 4 | Human-Environment Interaction, Forest Policies and Management, Water Resources and Irrigation, Colonial Environmental Impact, Environmental Movements, History of Climate Change |
| HY3E01.3 | History of Human Rights | Elective | 4 | Evolution of Human Rights, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Human Rights in India, State and Human Rights, Genocide and Atrocities, Contemporary Human Rights Issues |
| HY3E01.4 | Social and Cultural History of Medieval India | Elective | 4 | Delhi Sultanate Society, Mughal Society and Culture, Religious Movements (Bhakti, Sufi), Art and Architecture, Literature and Language, Urbanization and Social Stratification |
| HY3E01.5 | Gender in History | Elective | 4 | Gender as a Historical Category, Women in Ancient and Medieval India, Colonial Period and Gender, Women''''s Movements, Gender and Caste, Masculinities in History |
| HY3P01 | Project - Term Paper | Project | 2 | Research Topic Selection, Literature Review, Methodology and Data Collection, Analysis and Interpretation, Academic Writing and Citation, Presentation Skills |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HY4C12 | Modern Political Concepts and Ideas in History | Core | 4 | State and Sovereignty, Democracy and Dictatorship, Nationalism and Internationalism, Liberalism and Socialism, Fascism and Communism, Decolonization and Postcolonialism |
| HY4C13 | Contemporary India (1947-2015) | Core | 4 | Partition and Consolidation, Nehruvian Era and Policies, Economic Reforms and Globalization, Social Movements and Identities, Foreign Policy and Challenges, Contemporary Political Landscape |
| HY4E02.1 | History of Science and Technology in Modern India | Elective | 4 | Colonial Science and Education, Science in Post-Independence India, Atomic Energy Programme, Space Research Organization, Information Technology Revolution, Science and Society |
| HY4E02.2 | Archaeology and Heritage Management | Elective | 4 | Principles of Archaeology, Excavation Methods and Techniques, Dating Techniques in Archaeology, Heritage Conservation and Preservation, Museum Studies and Curation, Cultural Tourism and Site Management |
| HY4E02.3 | History of Diaspora | Elective | 4 | Concept of Diaspora, Indian Diaspora, Causes of Migration, Identity Formation and Culture, Transnationalism, Contemporary Diaspora Issues |
| HY4E02.4 | Approaches to Subaltern Studies | Elective | 4 | Subaltern Perspective in Historiography, Historiography of Subaltern Studies, Power and Resistance, Caste and Class, Gender and Subalternity, Critiques of Subaltern Studies |
| HY4E02.5 | History of Medicine in India | Elective | 4 | Ancient Indian Medicine (Ayurveda), Unani and Siddha Systems, Colonial Medicine and Public Health, Disease and Epidemics, Modern Medical Advancements, Healthcare Policies in India |
| HY4P02 | Dissertation | Project | 6 | Advanced Research Methodology, Data Analysis and Argumentation, Thesis Writing and Structure, Ethical Considerations in Research, Original Research Contribution, Oral Defense and Presentation |
