The Cultivation Plan of M.A. Students Specialized in World History Program

I. The Aim of Cultivation  

The objective of this specialty program is to produce a new, creative type of talented person in World History who has physical and psychological well-being and with full development of morality, wisdom, physique and aesthetics, who has a good moral character and professional quality, and is a law-biding citizen. Qualified graduates of this program are expected to be equipped with frontier historical theory, systematic fundamental knowledge and strong specialized skills, who has good command of a foreign language and fulfill the ability to conduct independent teaching, research, management or other work as a professional and applied talent.

II. The Directions of Research

1. Medieval History and Early Modern History of World

It mainly discusses some relevant major issues of world history in medieval and early modern period, especially the great changes happened in the late medieval and early modern period and also the transition of Europe from tradition to modern, including the transition of economy from agricultural-based to mercantilism, social division and the change of social structure, the rise of national states and the modernization of political and administrative management, and also the change of ideology and culture in this period, exploring the development of world history from the scattered to the whole and the significance and influence of this major turning point in human history, and also providing lessons for the construction of modernization.

2. The Overall Development and Modernization of World

It mainly studies the modernization development theory, the specific progress of each country’s modernization development, and the connection between the modernization development of each country and the overall development of the world from the perspective of modernization. And also it compares the development of modernization between different countries.

3. History of Germany

The world has started to form an integral whole in the late 19th century and early 20th century, entering a new period of overall development and Germany plays a very important role in world stage during this time. This field mainly studies the tortuous development of Germany in the 20th century, the role of Germany in the gradual formation and development of the whole world history and the inter-constraint relations between Germany and the world.

4. American History

It mainly studies those have great and profound influences on the course of American history in the 20th century, such as historical events, figures, reform movements, foreign relations, wars and so on, and it focuses on the transformation of American economic structure in the 20th century, technology revolution, significant wars, the reform and evolution of social system, the development of democratic politics and its characteristics, the evolution and influence of racial politics.

5. Arab History

It mainly studies the generation, formation and development of Islamic Civilization, the influences of Islamic Civilization on the East and West; the effects of Islamic Civilization on Arab countries’ modernization process, and also the modernization patterns and comparisons of Arab countries.

6. Modern International Relations and Foreign Policies of China

It mainly studies the overall development and rules of politic, economy, military and culture between different countries,within and between international organizations since the beginning of the 20th century. It gets more into some major historical events, such as the Second World War and Sino-Japanese War, the Second World War and post-war international relations, the Cold War and China-foreign relations. By studying relations between the eastern and western countries before and after the Second World War, as well as China’s foreign policies, strategies and international influences during the same time, the main point is to provide historical foundation for formulating our country’s foreign policies and enhancing international communication and cooperation.

7. History of America and Canada’s Foreign Relations

It mainly studies the relationships of America, Canada and other countries and regions in aspects like politic, economy, culture, etc. It also discusses positions and influences of America and Canada in modern world, and the main point is to provide historical foundation for formulating our country’s foreign policies and enhancing international communication and cooperation.

8. History of Japanese Politic, Economy and Diplomacy

It mainly studies the development of Japanese diplomacy in the 20th century, such as the changes of Japanese foreign policies and strategic choices before and after the Second World War, and the main point is to provide historical foundation for our country’s policies to Japan and China-Japan relations.

Ⅲ. Duration of Study

The normal duration for M.A. students is normally three years with a ceiling of four academic years. The minimum term for students who are eligible for early graduation is two years.

Ⅳ. Course and Credit Requirements

The credits that M.A. students in this program must fulfill are 42, among which credits for courses are no less that 30 (with 5 credits of public compulsory courses, 8 credits of core courses, no less than 4 credits of required courses of each direction and the rest will be credits for electives); credits for social practice project are 2 (graduate students in Contractual Programs can waive this part); 10 credits for degree thesis.

Students graduated from another subject or have an equivalent education level are required to take at least 2 complementary courses and get qualified scores. These courses cannot be applied to the 42 credits requirement.

V. Degree Thesis

A. Thesis Topic Selection

M.A. students choose topic of degree thesis under the instruction of the advisor. Thesis topics should be in the field of subject frontier, original and novel in theory and methods. Degree thesis is required to have a clear viewpoint, clarity of thought, smooth writing, solid evidence and rigorous style.

B. Thesis Proposal

After deciding on the thesis topic, students begin to write thesis proposal and make a report to the committee members of his/her direction of research. The proposal report should be made no later than the seventh week of the fifth semester and the number of committee members attending this report should be no less than 3 (including the main advisor). Students can begin to collect materials and write the thesis only after discussion with the committee members and get their approval.

C. Thesis writing

Throughout the period of writing M.A. thesis, advisor should inspect the writing progress irregularly. After the completion of the thesis and being examined and approved by the committee, the thesis should send to two reviewers at least one month in advance of the thesis oral defense. The two thesis reviewers should have the title of associate professor or above (or equivalent) in the same field with the student. Only after the thesis being graded by the reviewers as qualified, students are eligible to the step of oral defence.

D. Qualification for Oral Defence

Students in this program should complete all the courses and meet the minimum requirement of credit, complete the step of social practice work and get involved in at least one research project under the instruction of advisor, attend at least 8 academic activities (including academic conferences in/outside of China and academic report), fill in the “Wuhan University’s Evaluation Form of Academic Activities and Practice Work of Academic M.A. student”, publish at least one academic paper in the journals above the provincial level or in a publicly published conference proceedings. This paper must be published by the student as the first author, affiliated to Wuhan University. Students apply for early graduation should complete all the courses in this cultivation plan, having an excellent grade for all the courses, and publish at least two papers as the first author and affiliated to Wuhan University in the journals listed in CSSCI (supplementary journals of CSSCI not eligible).

E. Defence of M.A. Thesis

The step of oral defence for M.A. thesis is normally completed before the end of May or November of each academic year. The oral defence committee consist at least 5 members.  With the approval of two-thirds or above majority of the committee members (including two-thirds), degree thesis is qualified to submit.

Ⅵ. Other Mandatory Steps

A. Practice Work

In the fourth term of the M.A. program, students are required to take part in the social practice project under the direction of advisor. Practice work can be social practice, titular position work, teaching practice, social survey program or professional internship at enterprise or public institution with no less than 3 months. Related information should be filled in the “Evaluation Form of Academic Communication Activities and Practice Work for M.A. students at Wuhan University” and students should submit a summary report of the practice work. After being audited as qualified by the graduate school, the summary report scores 2 credits. Students cannot proceed to the thesis writing until the practice work is completed. (Targeted-area Students can waive the practice work.)

B. Mid-term Assessment

The mid-term assessment is normally held in the third semester and this program practice distributary training paradigms. Graduate students get assessed by committee members about their performance on learning and academic research. Students are graded by their previous performance and the committee may recommend any of the following: admit to the PhD program with waiver of entrance exam, continue the M.A. study or terminate from program without the M.A. degree.

Ⅶ. Cultivation Mode

This program adopt multiply modes of cultivation with a combination of tutor-responsible and committee advisor system. Normal duties of the advisor consist of: overall concern about the students’ ideological thoughts, moral characters and professional study; individualized teaching and to motivate students’ activity and consciousness; to strengthen students’ ability of self-learning, competence of conducting academic research, ability of oral express and writing. To ensure the quality of cultivation, advisors are required to hold high standard requirements and conduct regular inspections.

Course Catalog for M.A. Students Specialized in          World History Program