Department of History
Yale history dissertations.
During the late 1800’s, only a trickle of dissertations were submitted annually, but today, the department averages about 25 per year. See who some of those intrepid scholars were and what they wrote about by clicking on any of the years listed below.
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70+ History Dissertation Topics & Ideas For Students
The life of a university student is filled with different kinds of academic documents such as assignments, thesis, and much more. All these documents need to be written well so will score high in the final exams. However, the most hard academic task among them is dissertation writing . It requires a lot of time and has a big structure and format.
When student write their dissertation they face many problems such as: they do not know how to write because of lack of writing skill, or they do not have the idea how to do in-depth research or how to structure their work. Most importantly how to pick up the best and trending topic which will stand out among others and help them to achieve good grades in their final grading time. So, if you’ve landed on this blog, you’re probably looking for trending dissertation topics in history . In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of interesting history dissertation topics and ideas with the help of our experts. So, let’s get started.
What Is History Dissertation?
A history dissertation is a piece of research assignment written by students in the field of history which is the part of their graduate or undergraduate degree. In this student have to deal with historical event, era, or person, and contributes to the existing knowledge in the field. It’s like a long, detailed essay where students present their understanding and interpretations of historical facts and events. Moreover, the best dissertations are often recognized and published.
List of Interesting History Topics for Dissertation
- Persian War: Reason and Outcome
- Symbolisation of Giza Pyramids to Ancient Egypt
- Explain what Role the UK Played in Maintaining Harmony and Peace?
- Development of Modern Europe
- Talk about Mesopotamia’s Ancient Legal System.
- Discuss the Major Ancient Architectural Marvels
- Beliefs, Influence, and Rituals of Mayan Civilization
- Myths Attached with Trojan Wars and the Reality of the Historical Event
- The Alexandrian Library as an Intellectual Hub and the Decline of Ancient Knowledge
Ancient History Dissertation Topics
Are you looking for best history dissertation? below you can see some best topic for your dissertation
- The Distinction Between Classical Antiquity and Ancient History
- Ancient Greece’s History of Region and Philosophy
- The Key Achievements Of Early Iron Age
- The Primary Text Source in Ancient History
- The Human-God Myth in Classical Rome and Greece
- Science and Technology’s Impact on Ancient Rome
- The ancient Egyptian and Babylonian empires’ rise and fall
- The Contribution Of Ancient Science Technology
- The Comparison in Music in Ancient Greece and Rome
- Buddhism and The Period
- The Understand of Mahajanapadas
- Invasion From Central Asia
History Dissertation Topics for College Students
- Comparative Analysis of Feudalism Development
- The Dangerous Confrontation: Cuban Missile Crisis
- Write a paper on the Ancient Civilization’s Experience with Cultural Identity.
- The Life and The Literary Movements
- Exploring the Sequence of Historical Academic Writing
- The History of Mental Health and Psychology
- Thesis on Technological Development and Cold War Rivalry
- Research Paper on Women’s Contribution to Science History
- Essay on Green Technologies for A Sustainable Future
- The Political Aspects of Soft Power
First World War History Dissertation Topics Ideas
The events of the First World War are still important today because they occurred less than a century ago and bring massive harm. There are numerous history dissertation ideas which you can pick for your dissertation
- Causes that First World War had: an overview of all sides’ reasoning
- Exploring the Impact of Technology on the Outcome of the First World War
- USSR’s role in WW I
- Examining the Function of Trench warfare and artillery in the First World War
- The effects of the First World War on all those who were engaged in it
- Investigating the Impact of the First World War on Gender Roles
- The three most important choices that determined how the First World War ended
- Analysing Propaganda’s Impact in the First World War
- British soldiers in World War I: circumstances, drives, and engagements
- Fairness of Germany’s post-First World War consequences
- Investigating the Leadership of the Central Powers During WWI
- Evaluation of most impactful unions concluded during WW I
- Assessing the Impact of WWI on Colonialism
- Hitler in First World War: Bavarian Army
- Examining the Employment of Chemical Weapons in World War I
- Germany’s failure in World War One served as foment for her subsequent aggressiveness
- Ways in which WW1 could have been avoided
- Modern prejudice in the way the media networks portray World War I
- Nightingale’s Legacy: The Nurses’ Role in the First World War
Controversial History Dissertation Topics
- Analyse the ancient Mesopotamian civilisation
- The background of the ancient Greek Games
- Analyse the brutality and battle in ancient times
- Discuss the Maya empire in the context of historical civilizations.
- What impact has geography had on the development of ancient culture?
- The response of the world to the papyrus development
- The origins of art and its impact on ancient cultures
- The relevance of the Egyptian pyramid
Art History Dissertation Topics
- How may contemporary feminism allow for new interpretations of Egyptian art?
- Analyse the evolution of the human body in Egyptian architecture and art.
- Is it true that there wasn’t much of an evolution in Egyptian art over time?
- What effect did Miro have on the movement of surrealism?
- Examine current feminism in the context of Egyptian art.
- It is appropriate to compare the development of Byzantine and Egyptian art.
- Examine the gothic art from a mediaeval perspective
- Examine historical Egyptian artwork
- The influence of nature on Indian painting
Advanced Dissertation History Examples
Finding an best and unique examples of history dissertations topic will take a significant amount of time. As a result, you can choose any of these subjects for your history dissertation. They’re all easy, straightforward, and great.
- the main political causes behind Nazi Germany’s formation.
- The Great Depression in Britain was the cause of the damages.
- An analysis of the German confederation and inevitability.
- The contribution of the Victorian era.
- Explore Britain, the age of romanticism.
- The major British economy changes in the two World wars.
- The British mining historical perspective.
- The role of the British Empire in the creation of the economic disparities in its colonies.
History Thesis Topics: List of 69 Outstanding Ideas
Unless you plan to go for a Ph.D. in history, a thesis will be the most significant academic writing of your life. It shows your in-depth knowledge of a subject, your ability to think logically, creatively, and originally. Besides, it’s a great way to demonstrate how good your writing is.
But finding an appropriate title for your thesis is a challenging task. You may feel unsure about any idea until you see the rest of them. So, what can help you?
A history thesis topics list, of course. In this article, you’ll consider a wide variety of ideas about historical events and figures. There are some tips on picking the right one for you. With a little explanation of the basics, you’ll differentiate the Bachelor’s thesis from the Master’s one in a second.
- ☝️ How to Choose?
- ⭐ Top-12 Thesis Ideas
- 🚀 American History
- ⚔️ European History
- 🎨 Art History
- 📚 MA Thesis Topics
- 🦉 MPhil Thesis Ideas
- 👨🏫 Thesis vs. Dissertation
☝ How to Choose a History Thesis Topic?
Before picking a topic about history, you have to understand what you’re looking for. Take into account that you’re going to spend plenty of time writing your thesis. So, you need to find an idea that engages you and is worthy of your time. Don’t go for a random history topic that you do not feel passionate about.
Searching for an idea, follow the tips below:
- Find a topic that interests you . You’ll most probably write your thesis for a whole semester or even longer. That’s why you should determine something that doesn’t bore easily. At least those countless hours in the library will be spent with pleasure. The more the idea challenges and intrigues you, the less you’ll procrastinate and suffer from writing. No one can tell you what to write about. Your advisor can help you specify the topic, but it is up to you what to write about.
- Look for a topic that creates a trajectory for further research . You may not pursue it later, but having an opportunity to do so is a significant advantage. If you decide to pursue a further degree, you will already be familiar with the topic well. Take a look at available works in a free essays database to get a clearer picture of what can be further explored.
- Find a professor who will become your thesis advisor . Bring some thesis ideas up and see what your instructor suggests. It’s a good thing to have several research topics in mind—the instructor can help you determine the best one.
- Think beyond the graduation date . Whether you are going to start a career or continue your studies, your thesis should help you in achieving your goals. What may your employer look for in your paper? What do you need to be successful in your job or further research? It’s good to approach the issue with some level of practicality. See if you can apply the skills and information you’ve acquired to your professional life.
- Strive for originality but stay within your studies context . Try to make your title unique to grasp attention and intrigue from the get-go. At the same time, don’t fall outside the scope of your field. Before picking a topic, do some research to understand the field deeper. This way, you’ll see what exactly you would like to address.
- Make sure your title fits the requirements . Open your university guidelines for the thesis work and find this out before anything else. Ask your thesis advisor as well to give you honest feedback.
⭐ Top-12 History Thesis Ideas
- Civil War — the role of women.
- The Watergate Scandal.
- Contemporary art history.
- The Napoleonic Wars.
- Causes of World War 2.
- Impact of the Black Plague.
- The Cuban Missile Crisis.
- Japanese-American conflict.
- The Vietnam anti-war protests.
- Origins of the Great Famine in Ireland.
- The French Revolution.
- The rule of Elizabeth I.
📝 History Thesis Topics for Bachelor’s Degree
Usually, American Universities don’t require students to write a Senior Thesis. However, you still have an option to choose one. You can write a thesis as a part of your program completion. It will take a lot of time, energy, and effort. But, in the end, you will be able to produce a prime piece of academic writing.
Strive to write anywhere from 60 to 100 pages. You will also dedicate a lot of time writing and polishing it afterward. Make sure to leave enough time for that too.
What’s the first step?
Look for a thesis advisor you know you will enjoy working with. Consider all the professors you’ve interacted with at your university and pick several. Approach them and see if they are accepting new students for thesis supervision.
Make sure to choose a history thesis paper topic that your advisor knows a lot about. At some point, you will become very knowledgeable about the history thesis topic you chose. It will be crucial to have someone who can direct you.
There are several reasons why you should consider writing a thesis for a Bachelor’s Degree in history:
- It provides you with essential experience in writing, researching, and brainstorming ideas. It can later help you in your academic or professional life.
- You can deeply understand a subject that interests you.
- You can improve your reading skills.
- If you have to use foreign sources, you can also increase your foreign language skills.
Are you still wondering what historical thesis ideas are appropriate? Then, this list is perfect for you.
🚀 American History Thesis Topics
- African American history in the United States : disfranchisement and segregation in 1890-1900
- Early American History and the lost colony of Roanoke
- The construction of race in American culture and history. It’s not a secret that race is a social construct. In American culture and history, it plays a critical role. In the thesis, you will have a chance to research the mechanisms through which the race was constructed. Movies, literary representations, articles, what else? It’s up to you to find out what can be relevant.
- World War 2 through personal letters and diaries . This thesis can be personal and will not leave people indifferent. Examination of diaries, notes, and personal accounts can be fascinating. You won’t be bored doing historical research. Maybe you even have some in your own family? Worth checking it out.
- Guilt over Slavery in the United States: a historical examination
- Gender equality in American education . A comparative study of Germany, Russia, The United States
- New York City and its historical geography. NYC is one of the captivating American cities. Writing a thesis about its historical geography is not an easy task. Gladly, you have tons of information available to you.
- Rocket Science as one of the most significant innovations of the 20th century
- Examining the Role of Privilege within the Ivy League Universities
- Role of American Public Health in a Post-9/11 World
⚔ European History Thesis Topics
- Formation and development of the European Union during the 20th century
- Feminist perspective on the representation of women in Roman Art
- Religion and Nation in Europe in the 19th century
- Construction of National Identity in Post-Soviet Latvia. What did contribute to developing a national identity of post-soviet Latvia? First of all, its independence and belonging to the European Union. In this thesis, talk about colonization and colonial identity. Consider the policies Latvian government implemented to build a Latvian character. What is it? What are the essential characteristics of it?
- Composition and religious hierarchy in The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci
- Representation of Jews in Late Medieval Period in Europe
- Problems of political leadership in Athens of 404-355 BCE
- The French Renaissance Court and its structural hierarchy. This topic is interesting yet complex. Its complexity comes not from the name but the nature of the French Renaissance Court. You need to have a clear idea of how the royal court is built and is operating. Find relevant historians of that time, and, hopefully, you can speak some French.
- Immigrational Politics of the United Kingdom. The problem of multiculturism at the beginning of 1960-1980.
- Orientalism or the Middle East through the prism of Western scholars in the XIX century. In this thesis, start by exploring the notion of Orientalism. Edward Said will be a good point of departure and one of the most fundamental works to cite and read. You can agree with his argument or disagree with it. Nevertheless, find the relevant evidence for your point of view.
🎨 Art History Thesis Topics
- Medicine in Ancient Rome with a focus on surgeries through paintings. This thesis topic is rich. Numerous Ancient Roman paintings depict surgeries and medical treatments. Find the most interesting ones and talk about innovations in medicine. What was the point of recording medical procedures in art? Truly a topic that can captivate anyone.
- Vincent Van Gogh: A phycological analysis of the artist’s last years . In this thesis, examine his artworks together with the personal letters. Look at the words he used, as well as the images he painted. You need it to comprehend what was happening in Vincent’s life in his last years. Some art therapists claim that the artist had bipolar disorder. Examine those views. However, be careful not to give any medical diagnosis yourself.
- Plato on Punishment and Vice: the notion of punishment in The Republic. You cannot get a degree without reading the most fundamental text of the Western Academy, The Republic . In this thesis, you should simply focus on the ideas of punishment and vice. Plato wrote a lot regarding the morals and the laws. Try to discern what exactly he meant. Extract his views regarding capital punishment and punitive justice.
- Modern Art in Europe, with a specific focus on Italy
- Trade in Medieval Europe with a focus on Africa through art
- The erotism of art of Ancient Rome
- Synthesis of sculpture and paintings in Spanish art of the 17th century
- Neoclassicism in French art of the 1900s-1910s
- Surrealism in Art as the quintessence between realism and hyper-realism
📋 History Thesis Topics for Master’s Degree
In the United States, to enter a graduate degree in history, a bachelor’s degree is required. Most of the time, students will have to submit several recommendation letters. Plus, they need GRE scores and writing samples. Add to this several essays explaining the purpose of going to university again, and there you have it.
It is common to have several completion requirements. They can include basic courses, language tests, and a master’s thesis at the end of the program. However, it depends on the department and the university.
Keep in mind that there are several credits that students should obtain to get a degree. It differs from university to university as well. In most of the programs throughout the United States, they are required to complete 30-32 credits to get an M.A. degree. This number usually corresponds to 8-9 classes.
If you are pursuing an M.A., you’re in luck. There is an excellent chance that you will be able to choose if you would like to write a thesis or not. If you are pursuing an M.Phil., then you will have to write your thesis because it’s a research degree.
No matter if you are pursuing an M.A. or an M.Phil., this historical thesis ideas can help you find a title:
📚 MA Thesis Topics in History
- Apotheosis of the Philippine Historical Political Tradition
- Kerala History: Syrian Christians in the region in the 18th century
- History of Modern India with a focus on women’s rights
- The history of theater in the American South and the main characteristics of the Southern Drama. This thesis includes a lot of aspects starting from playwriting in Charleston to drama in New Orleans. Then there are War Drama, Black Drama, etc. Try to find a good balance to fit all of the main characteristics of the Southern Drama and theater.
- New Deal and its impacts on events leading to the Great Depression
- Mistakes of the Soviet side in WW2. WWII was the deadliest military conflict of the 20th century. In this thesis, talk about the biggest mistakes the Red Army made during the war. Some of those can include signing to the Non-Aggression Pact with Hitler. Plus, there were anti-tank dogs and the Molovot-Ribbentrop Pact.
- Military strategies that allowed Napoleon to win crucial battles
- Mussolini & Hitler : connection along with its consequences for Italy
- Queen Victoria’s politics and the way it has changed British history
- The Development of Strategic Bombing Doctrine Between the World Wars
- Historical Creation of a Black Elite in the United States
- Through Imperial Eyes: Race and British Reactions to the American Slavery Question
- Gertrude Bell’s Influence in the Formation of Iraq. Gertrude Bell is a crucial figure in Islamic studies. She contributed a lot to the formation of Iraq. In this thesis, explore her unique contribution and approach to building a modern state of the country. She was highly trusted by British politicians and by Arab leaders.
- Baptist church history as a way to escape slavery
🦉 MPhil Thesis Topics in History
- Investigating the impact of WWI on trade blocks. A case study of the European Union
- Women in WWII: sexual objectification of women through magazines and advertisement. Women played an integral part in WWII. In this thesis, explore the role of sexual imagery in the advertising industry during the war.
- Sudan-American relationships in 1989-2000: US Foreign Policy and Genocide in Sudan
- Criticism of the war on drugs during the Ronald Reagan administration
- The political evolution of the Southern States during the Reconstruction Era
- Everest Expeditions in British Popular Culture, 1920-1960. Explore how Everest Expeditions were depicted in British movies. Analyze the subject via comics, journals, and visual art in the first part of the 20th century.
- Impact of Otto von Bismarck on German Liberalism
- Discrimination of German immigrants in the USA during WW2
- The Fourth International and the Spanish Civil War
- Political and economic aspects of the crisis in Venetian Diplomacy in the 1500s
- The connection between institutionalized racism and police violence in the United States. There are several dimensions to racism. In this thesis, look for a connection between structural racism and police violence in the US. Compare the numbers, look at the stories. See if this data exposes any hidden bias.
- An image of the Medieval Period in Post Modern Art
- A comparative analysis of the Four Quran English Translation. In this thesis, discuss why and how the Quran can be translated. Also, you should look at the four translations. Try to determine which one is the closest. To do that, you need to have an advanced level of Arabic.
- The psychological effect of war on American soldiers in Vietnam
👨🏫 Differences between a Thesis and Dissertation
Understanding the difference between a thesis and a dissertation is essential. Would you like to obtain a master’s and a doctoral degree? Then read attentively. In the United States, both thesis and dissertation are vital for this purpose.
The prominent differences that you have to realize are the following:
- A dissertation is required to graduate with a doctoral degree. A thesis is a culmination of a master’s program.
- A dissertation is written to add a new piece of knowledge to the field. A thesis is to show that you have enough knowledge about the field.
- A dissertation usually takes several semesters, sometimes even years, to complete. A thesis does not require this amount of time. It can be finished within months.
- A dissertation can be seen as an academic book. A master’s thesis is a long research paper.
Let’s see the main characteristics of a bachelor’s thesis, a master’s thesis, an MPhil’s thesis, and a dissertation:
- A Bachelor’s Thesis (honors thesis). It’s a research-based paper that allows undergraduate students to put their knowledge into practice. The paper is usually 40-60 pages long. It includes an introduction, main body, conclusion, and bibliography.
- A Master’s Thesis. It’s a piece of original scholarly work. A mater’s thesis is written under the close supervision of an academic advisor. It attempts to bring some fresh look or a new perspective to a field of study. The length of a master’s thesis can vary. Usually, it doesn’t go beyond 100 pages.
- An MPhil’s Thesis (Master of Philosophy). It’s a specific type of thesis. As it was stated earlier, most American Universities don’t grant this degree. A few schools give it under specific circumstances. Doctoral students should accomplish all the course work and pass their exams. Then, this degree can be granted to them. A more colloquial way to call this degree is “all but dissertation.” In other cases, this degree is granted to students who are doing their postgraduate research.
- A Dissertation. It’s a major piece of academic writing. It’s independent, shows critical and thinking ability. A dissertation is meant to illustrate academic knowledge, originality of work, and research skills. The length usually stays within 200-300 pages.
Any thesis or dissertation is a monumental work. Choose a topic that you are passionate about. Make sure it’s researchable and clear, but at the same time memorable. Spend time writing, proofreading, editing, and talking to your advisor about your ideas and academic goals.
Remember that it is okay to get frustrated and tired at times. If it happens to you, stop working for a bit and relax. Good luck and congratulations on your soon to be graduation! We hope this article was helpful. Share it with those who may need a history thesis topic or a piece of advice.
🔗 References
- MPhil in History: University of Oxford
- How to Pick a Masters Thesis Topic: Peter Campbell for Medium
- How Do I Choose A Thesis Topic: Grad School Hub
- Writing a Senior Thesis: Undergraduate Program, Department of History, Brandeis University
- The Bachelor’s Thesis, Bachelor EE: University of Twente
- Guidelines for the Preparation of Your Master’s Thesis: the Office of Graduate Studies and Research: University of Nebraska at Kearney
- Guidelines for Writing a Master’s Thesis for MA Degree: Jeremy Bailey, Susan Scarrow, University of Houston
- What is a dissertation? How it is different from an essay: The Royal Literary Fund
- What is the Difference Between a Thesis and a Dissertation: The Best Master’s Degrees
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Home — Blog — Topic Ideas — Thesis Topics in History: The List of 100 Perfect Ideas
Thesis Topics in History: The List of 100 Perfect Ideas
When choosing a thesis topic in history, several essential factors come into play. Firstly, consider your passion and interest in the subject matter. Opt for a topic that genuinely intrigues you, as this will motivate and drive your research efforts. Secondly, strive for originality and significance. Look for gaps in the existing historical literature and propose a fresh perspective or a novel approach to a well-studied topic. Your goal should be to contribute new insights and knowledge to the field. If your ideas are recognized, then perhaps in the future some history thesis examples will be written based on them.
Feasibility is crucial in selecting a thesis topic. Ensure that you have access to the necessary primary and secondary sources, archives, or data required to support your research. Additionally, consider the relevance of your chosen topic to current historical debates or contemporary issues. Demonstrating the significance of your research in the broader context adds depth and impact to your work.
Ultimately, the result you should strive for is a well-crafted thesis topic that not only showcases your academic prowess but also excites and captivates your readers or academic committee. Your chosen topic should be engaging, thought-provoking, and capable of advancing the collective understanding of historical events or phenomena. By meticulously selecting a compelling thesis topic and conducting thorough research, you can embark on a rewarding journey of scholarly exploration and contribute meaningfully to the ever-evolving field of history.
✨ Top-20 History Thesis Ideas
- The Role of Media in Shaping Public Perception during the Cold War
- The Great Depression: Economic and Social Impacts on American Society
- The Age of Exploration: Cultural Exchanges and Global Interactions
- Women's Suffrage Movement: Analyzing Strategies and Achievements
- The French Revolution: Causes, Consequences, and Historical Interpretations
- The African-American Civil Rights Movement Essay : Leaders, Strategies, and Legacies
- The Rise and Fall of Ancient Empires: Lessons from Mesopotamia and Egypt
- World War II: Examining the Global Impact and Lessons Learned
- The Scientific Revolution: Advancements in Science and their Societal Impact
- Slavery and Abolition: A Comparative Study of Different Regions
- The Cultural Exchange along the Silk Road: Connecting East and West
- The Age of Imperialism: Colonialism, Resistance, and Global Consequences
- The Renaissance and Its Influence on Art, Literature, and Politics
- The Native American Experience: Examining Histories and Perspectives
- The Impact of the Protestant Reformation on European Society and Religion
- The Construction and Fall of the Berlin Wall: Symbolism and Global Implications
- The Spanish Inquisition: Religious Orthodoxy and Power Dynamics
- The Industrial Revolution: Changes in Work, Society, and the Environment
- The Mongol Empire: Conquest, Governance, and Cultural Integration
- The Crusades: Motivations, Outcomes, and Effects on Christian-Muslim Relations
✍️ History Thesis Topics for Bachelor's Degree: Tips and Tricks
Writing a diploma thesis in history is a significant milestone for university graduates. It allows students to showcase their research skills, critical thinking, and expertise in the subject. Crafting a compelling and well-structured thesis requires careful planning and adherence to specific guidelines. Here are some recommendations and criteria to consider when undertaking a history dissertation:
- Topic Selection: Choose a topic that genuinely interests you and aligns with your academic passions. A well-chosen topic will keep you motivated throughout the research process.
- Originality: Strive for originality in your research. Identify gaps in existing historical literature and propose a unique perspective or fresh analysis.
- Research Depth: Conduct thorough research using a variety of primary and secondary sources. Academic journals, historical documents, and reputable books are essential resources.
- Structure and Format: Follow the prescribed structure and format provided by your university or department. Adhere to proper citation and referencing guidelines.
- Word Count: Depending on your university's requirements, diploma theses in history typically range from 60 to 100 pages. However, check the specific word count guidelines for your institution.
- Abstract: Include a clear and concise abstract that summarizes the key objectives, research methods, and findings of your thesis.
- Introduction: Introduce your topic, provide background information, and state your research question or thesis statement.
- Literature Review: Review relevant literature to demonstrate your understanding of existing research on the topic.
- Methodology: Explain the research methods and approaches you used to collect and analyze data.
- Analysis and Findings: Present your research findings and analyze them in the context of your research question.
- Conclusion: Summarize your main arguments, discuss the implications of your findings, and suggest avenues for future research.
- References: Provide a comprehensive list of all the sources you cited in your thesis.
When starting your dissertation, begin with extensive reading and research to gain a solid understanding of the topic. Take notes and organize your sources efficiently. Create a detailed outline that will serve as a roadmap for your writing process. Seek guidance from your advisor or professors throughout your research journey, as their insights and feedback will be invaluable.
As you write, maintain a clear and coherent writing style, and avoid excessive jargon. Use headings and subheadings to structure your thesis logically. Remember to proofread and edit your work carefully to ensure accuracy and clarity.
In conclusion, writing a diploma thesis in history requires dedication, critical thinking, and meticulous research. By following these recommendations and adhering to the given criteria, you can create a compelling and well-argued thesis that contributes meaningfully to the field of history. Embrace this opportunity to delve into the past, unearth new insights, and leave a lasting academic legacy as you embark on this exciting academic journey.
If you still have not found suitable historical theses, then we continued the list with examples, one of which is right for you
🌆American History Thesis Topics
- The American Revolution : Causes, Consequences, and Legacies
- 1950s Body Image History
- The 1950s vs Modern Era
- 1960s Entertainment
- Abigail Adams Letter Rhetorical Analysis
- Abigail Williams in The Crucible
- American Imperialism: Factors, Impact, and Legacy
- The American and French Revolutions: Causes, Key Events, and Outcomes
- A Comparative Analysis of Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine
- About The Underground Railroad
- Colin Kaepernick Argument: a Controversial Figure in American Sports
- Mitch Landrieu Speech Analysis
- Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X in the Civil Rights Movement
- Causes of the Civil War
- Harlem: A Community Profile Examination
- Harriet Hollywood Film
- Manifest Destiny: Expansion, Impact, and Legacy
- A Day Of Infamy: Speech Analysis
- The Lasting Impact of Slavery
- How the Columbian Exchange Benefited Europe and North America
🗺️ Ideas for Thesis Topics in European History
- The Life of Adolf Hitler: Understanding the Emergence of a Monster
- Biography of Adolf Hitler
- Factors Contributing to the Fall of the Roman Empire
- Alexander The Great: a Rhetorical Analysis
- Christopher Columbus: Legacy and Impact
- Julius Caesar: Funeral Speech Analysis
- The Industrial Revolution in Europe: Technological Advancements and Social Changes
- The Cold War in Europe: Superpower Rivalries and the Division of the Continent
- The Age of Exploration: European Voyages and Global Encounters
- The Profound Impact of the Black Death
- The Russian Revolution : Revolution and the Formation of the Soviet Union
- The Crusades: Religious Wars and Their Influence on Europe and the Middle East
- The Treaty of Versailles: Evaluating Its Role in Shaping Post-World War I Europe
- The Spanish Inquisition: Investigating Religious Persecution and Its Consequences
- The Age of Imperialism: European Colonization and Its Global Consequences
- The Holocaust : Examining the Holocaust and the Dark Chapters of European History
- The Berlin Wall: The Divided City and Its Symbolism during the Cold War
- The Byzantine Empire: A Comprehensive Study of Its Contributions and Decline
- The Napoleonic Era: Napoleon Bonaparte's Impact on European Politics and Warfare
- The Reformation and Counter-Reformation: Religious Conflicts and Their Resolutions in Europe
🎭 Ideas for Art History Thesis Topics
- The Renaissance Masters : Analyzing the Artistic Achievements of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael
- Impressionism and Its Influence on Modern Art
- The Evolution of Abstract Art: From Kandinsky to Pollock
- Women in Art: Celebrating Female Artists and Their Impact on Art History
- A Great And Mighty Walk Analysis
- Compare Reverend Hale and John Proctor
- Mark Antony's Speech: A Masterclass in Rhetoric
- Iconography and Symbolism in Religious Art
- African Art and Cultural Identity
- Surrealism: Exploring Dreams and the Subconscious in Art
- The Art of Ancient Civilizations: Uncovering the Aesthetics of Egypt, Greece, and Rome
- The Birth of Modern Photography: Pioneering Photographers and Their Contributions to Art
- Investigating the Relationship between Artistic Expression and Sociopolitical Movements
- Postmodernism in Art: Deconstructing Boundaries and Challenging Tradition
- The Harlem Renaissance: African-American Art and Culture in the 1920s
- Pop Art: Examining the Pop Culture Movement and Its Influence on Contemporary Art
- Islamic Art and Architecture: Tracing Aesthetics across Different Eras and Regions
- Asian Art and Cultural Heritage: A Comparative Study of China, Japan, and India
- Exploring the Intersection of Digital Media and Creative Expression
- The Role of Museums in Shaping Art History
📒 History Thesis Topics for Master’s Degree
Choosing an appropriate history dissertation topic for your master's degree is a key step. It is important to choose a subject that matches academic interests and hobbies. The theme should also offer room for originality and contribution to the existing body of historical knowledge. A master's thesis in history is a comprehensive academic work, often 80 to 100 pages or more. This requires careful research, analysis of primary and secondary sources, and critical evaluation of historical arguments. In addition, the dissertation must comply with the guidelines and formatting requirements set by the academic institution. Seeking advice from faculty advisors and professors is invaluable in the dissertation writing process. Their experience and feedback can determine the direction of the research and ensure its scientific rigor. Here are some examples of possible History Thesis Topics for Master's Degree that can serve as a basis for you:
- Abigail Williams: A Villain Analysis
- Early Colonial Government Policies Still in Use Today
- A Kingdom Strange: Analysis
- History of Egypt
- Compare and Contrast Inca and Aztecs
- Positive Effects of Colonialism in Africa
- Benefits of Colonialism to Europeans and the Colonies
- Japan’s Rise and Fall in the Global Electronics Market
- Information On The Holocaust
- An Analysis of the Leadership Style of Mahatma Gandhi
- Comparison and Contrast of Egypt and Mayans
- Oppression: Contemporary Manifestations, and Resistance
- Analyzing Cultural Exchange along the Ancient Silk Road
- Medieval Queens: Agents of Power and Diplomacy
- Ottoman Empire: Socio-Political Changes and Legacy
- The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Africa's Role and Impact on the America
- The Fall of Ancient Civilizations: Lessons from Rome and Greece
- Reevaluating the Causes and Impacts of the American Revolution
- Propaganda in World War II: Shaping Public Perception
- The Impact of the Russian Revolution: Political Ideologies and Social Shifts
In conclusion, theses and dissertations serve different purposes and have different requirements depending on the academic level. Each represents a milestone in the student's academic journey, and mastering the arts of research, analysis, and critical thinking is essential to success at every level. Whether you are writing a short abstract or a comprehensive dissertation, the pursuit of knowledge and scientific contributions remains at the center of all academic research. And of course, to prepare a quality thesis, you will have to start choosing your topic among the many history thesis examples. We hope that we have helped you with finding an idea to start. And in the following articles we will try to develop this topic so that you can write an interesting and individual thesis.
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History Dissertation Topics
Published by Grace Graffin at January 9th, 2023 , Revised On June 3, 2024
Choosing the most appropriate topic for a history dissertation can be tricky. Before selecting a topic, it is imperative to have an in-depth knowledge of the historical events or phenomena you wish to evaluate. Complete comprehension of a topic area is necessary before you can go about the task of completing your dissertation.
To help you get started with brainstorming for history topic ideas, we have developed a list of the latest topics that can be used for writing your history dissertation.
PhD qualified writers of our team have developed these topics, so you can trust to use these topics for drafting your dissertation.
You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting a brief research proposal from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an introduction to the topic, research question , aim and objectives , literature review, along with the proposed methodology of research to be conducted. Let us know if you need any help in getting started.
Check our dissertation examples to get an idea of how to structure your dissertation .
Review the full list of dissertation topics here.
Topic 1: Who was Responsible for the European Civil Wars? An Exploratory Study Identifying the Determinants of the 1870 Franco-Prussian War
Research Aim: This research aims to determine various political, social, and economic factors which caused European civil wars. It will use the 1870 Franco-Prussian War as a case study to analyse which political, social, or economic forces played their part in exaggerating this war. Moreover, it will use various historical lenses to evaluate the available evidence in this area to determine the factors objectively. Lastly, it will recommend ways through a historical viewpoint that could’ve saved lives in these wars.
Topic 2: What were the Socio-Economic Discontents of the Second Industrial Revolution? A Marx-Engels Perspective
Research Aim: This study identifies various socioeconomic discontents of the Second Industrial Revolution through the Marx-Engels communist lens. It will analyse how the second industrial revolution brought undesirable socio-economic changes in Europe and the rest of the world. It will develop a socio-economic framework by using Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels’s critique of capitalism and social class theory to show the second industrial revolution divided the entire world into two classes. Moreover, it will show how imperialist powers used the Second Industrial Revolution to change the world order.
Topic 3: Did Mongols Bring Social Change in Ancient Arab? Impact of Mongol Invasion on Ancient Arab Culture and Traditions
Research Aim: This research intends to analyse the social change brought by Mongols in ancient Arab. It will find the impact of the Mongols’ invasion on ancient Arab culture and traditions by identifying channels such as slavery, forced marriages, etc., through which Mongols brought a cultural change. Moreover, it will find whether Arabs could come back to their original state or whether modern Arabs have their traits. And through which ways did ancient Arabs resist those changes?
Topic 4: What is Common among the United States’ Iraq, Japan, Afghanistan, and Cuba Invasions? A Comparative Study Finding the United States Common Political and Economic Motives
Research Aim: This study compares the United States’ Iraq, Japan, Korea, Afghanistan, and Cuba invasions. It will identify the United States’ common political and economic motives among these invasions, which gave it an incentive to pursue. It will be a multidisciplinary study exploring geopolitical, geo-economic, geo-strategic, and historical aspects of the invasions. Moreover, it will also compare the post-invasion situation of these countries to show how these countries dealt with it.
Topic 5: The Life and Work of William Shakespeare: His Influence on The Modern Theater- A Critique of Dr. Johnson
Research Aim: This study sheds light on the life and work of William Shakespeare by analysing his role in modern theatre. It will try to highlight his contribution to the field of literature and theatre but through the approach of Dr Johnson. Johnson’s works will be evaluated to see whether William Shakespeare has done something significant for modern theatre or it is just a one-sided view of William Shakespeare’s followers. It will analyse various works of William Shakespeare from Johnson’s critical lens to provide an objective assessment.
COVID-19 History Research Topics
Topic 1: the history of coronavirus..
Research Aim: This study will explore the historical facts and theories related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Topic 2: History of Spanish flu
Research Aim: In 1918, a deadly pandemic called Spanish flu hit the world, and many people lost their lives. This study will highlight the history of the disease, its symptoms, and similarities with the present crisis of COVID-19.
Topic 3: The history of various types of pandemics and their consequences
Research Aim: This study will investigate the history of various types of pandemics and their consequences on people’s health, the economy, and the world’s transformation after it.
New History Research Topics
Topic 1: types of communications in history.
Research Aim: This research aims to identify the types of communications in history
Topic 2: Terrorism and its impact on people's life
Research Aim: This research aims to address terrorism’s impact on people’s life
Topic 3: Treaty of Lausanne and the world's predictions about Turkey in 2023
Research Aim: This research aims to conduct a study on the Treaty of Lausanne and the world’s predictions about Turkey in 2023
Topic 4: Mythological stories and their impact on the youth
Research Aim: This research aims to study the impact of mythological stories on the youth.
Dissertation Topics from the Nineteenth Century
Topic 1: analysis of church wealth expropriation and political conflict in 19th-century colombia..
Research Aim: The research will explore the events of political violence after independence in Colombia regarding the redefinition of the Catholic Church’s property rights. The study primarily focuses on the country after 1850 to measure the influence of that expropriation of the Church’s assets on political violence.
Topic 2: Exploring the impact of the 19th-century development of refrigeration on The American meatpacking industry.
Research Aim: The city of Chicago in the United States is known to be the centre of modern refrigeration development due to it being the hub of the meatpacking industry. The proposed research will analyse Chicago’s meatpacking sector’s development and its significant role in developing critical technologies such as refrigeration. The study will examine the development of refrigerated transport and cold storage units to comprehend the city’s meatpacking industry’s local and later global success throughout the 19th century.
Topic 3: Examining the impact of the telegraph in the United States of America
Research Aim: The research uses document analysis to examine the influence of the invention of the telegraph in the United States of America. Specifically, the study will analyse how the telegraph revolutionised communication and news broadcasting to newspapers over national and international networks.
Topic 4: The impact of industrial conflict and technology on the development of technical education in 19th-century England.
Research Aim: The research will analyse the role that 19th-century employers played in training and educating young industrial workers in England. The purpose of the study is to comprehend the various factors that influenced the development of technical education while discovering the reason for antagonistic relations with skilled workers, which may have caused the Great Strike and Lockout of 1897.
Topic 5: The impact of changing gender relations on childbearing populations in the 19th-century Netherlands.
Research Aim: The research will look to comprehend the changes in childbearing patterns using a sequence analysis approach. The study will also try to understand the association between gender relations, historical fertility records, and women’s reproductive patterns in the 19th-century Netherlands.
Topic 6: Examining the shift of hierarchical and ethnocentric foreign relations to the Western model of international relations in 19th-century Japan.
Research Aim: The research will analyse the 19th century, a period of transition in Japanese foreign policy. The study will mainly focus on Russo-Japanese relations using document analysis to assess the four stages of shift that led Japan from an ethnocentric foreign policymaker to the Western type without colonisation and defeat in war.
History and Religious Dissertations
Topic 1: the impact of popular culture on evangelical christians in america..
Research Aim: The research uses document analysis to examine the impact that popular culture has had in shaping Evangelical Christian thought in the United States from the 1960s to the 2000s. The study focuses on analysing the variables that have allowed Evangelicalism to become a middle-class populist movement.
Topic 2: Fertility, feminism, and the American revolution
Research Aim: The research using document analysis, analyses the impact of the American Revolution on declining birth rates in the colonies and the increase of family limitation among white free women. The research will investigate the intentions of founding American women in their rejection of abundant fertility and a patriarchal family and the existent or non-existent role that colonial Christians played.
Topic 3: The decline of irrational and magical ideologies in England 1500-1600.
Research Aim: The research analyses how the introduction of religion, specifically early Christianity, had an impact on declining the conventional thought processes that used irrationality or magic as their basis. The research will use document analysis as its research method.
Topic 4: The impact of religion on innovation, 1604.
Research Aim: The research examines how Sir Frances Bacon’s epistle “Of Innovations” argues for the positive potential of innovation from the understanding of the Biblical scriptures. The study will also explore the relationship between Bacon and the English Protestant Church.
Topic 5: The role of churches and religion in World War II.
Research Aim: The research looks to examine the role of churches in Europe during WWII. The study will also analyse their religious ideologies and their deeds as institutions to impact the perceptions of World War II. The research will be conducted using document analysis.
History and Sociology Dissertations
Topic 1: race, poverty, and food deserts in cardiff, 1980-2016..
Research Aim: The research examines the demographic and spatial patterns that have shaped access to supermarkets in low-income neighbourhoods in Cardiff from 1980 to 2016. The research methods used will be quantitative.
Topic 2: Impact of World War II rationing on British cuisine
Research Aim: The research analyses the impact of rationing items by the British Ministry of Food on the specific culture from the 1940s to the 1980s. The research uses variables of socio-economic classes and geographic locations of the country to examine the cultural impacts it had on the British palate during the time. The research methods will include quantitative and qualitative analysis.
Topic 3: Impact of religious doctrines and ideologies on racism and racist factions in the USA.
Research Aim: The research analyses the relationship between different Christian sects and racial prejudice among groups of Christians based on geographic location (North or South) in the United States after the 2016 presidential elections. The research will be quantitative in nature but will incorporate qualitative techniques of historical document analysis to examine how racism in the country has changed since the Civil Rights Era of the United States.
Topic 4: The historical development and impact of public transportation in Shanghai, China, 1843-1937.
Research Aim: The research will analyse the impact of public transportation on the development of Shanghai’s urban landscape using the variables of tradition vs modernity, state and social relationships, and technology and society relations. The research will provide a historical analysis of the city from the British and the Opium Wars’ colonisation to the 20th century. The study will use qualitative document analysis and quantitative techniques as research methods.
Topic 5: The impact of water resource management, technological solutions, and urban growth after World War II on Atlanta, Georgia.
Research Aim: The purpose of the dissertation is to examine the origins of water-related issues in Atlanta by discovering the challenges that public officials, activists, and engineers faced in the area in terms of planning and enacting an effective environmental policy after World War II in the metropolitan area of Atlanta. The research will use historical document analysis as its methodology.
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Historical People and Events Dissertation Topics
Topic 1: examining the events and people giving rise to winston churchill.
Research Aim: The research examines the network of friends and colleagues of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill on how they influenced the primer’s reputation after his retirement and death. The study will analyse the history of the Churchill Archives Centre, Cambridge, and the influence that Sir John Colville had on shaping Churchill’s image.
Topic 2: The rise of the right-wing woman in 20th-century Britain- Analysing Margaret Thatcher and Mary Whitehouse
Research Aim: The relationship between conservative powerhouses Margaret Thatcher and Mary Whitehouse was well known to the public for its traditional undertones. The research will examine the relationship between the two women using document analysis, particularly the public presentation relationship, to better understand the importance of conservative women in Britain. The research will analyse the twentieth-century political and cultural contexts that gave rise to these two women.
Topic 3: Examining the cooperative transformational leadership of Nelson Mandela and F. W. de Klerk.
Research Aim: The research will study the transfer of power in South Africa by focusing on the cooperative leadership strategies, policies, and personal characteristics of leaders such as Nelson Mandela and F. W. de Klerk. The research will examine how these two leaders could bring systematic revolution through democratic and peaceful means.
Topic 4: Pablo Picasso- The making of “Guernica” and its historical context.
Research Aim: The research will analyse the history of paintings of people suffering from the convulsion of war, explicitly focusing on Goya. The paper will examine the factors and influences on Pablo Picasso that led to the development of “Guernica.” The research will analyse how Picasso depicted real history snatches with symbolism that resonated with people.
Topic 5: Analysing the role of women in the Crusade Movement.
Research Aim: The research examines women’s contribution to the Crusades and its impact on propaganda, recruitment, organisation of the crusades, and financing of the campaigns. The study will also survey their roles in looking after families and properties while also giving liturgical support at home for those on the crusade campaigns.
Topic 6: The impact of the Harlem Renaissance on urban landscaping, Jazz music, and literature.
Research Aim: The research will examine the Great Migration of the 1910s in the United States, where a concentration of African American population moved North, causing demographic shifts. The study will analyse Toni Morrison’s Jazz, Persia Walker’s Black Orchid Blues, and other works regarding music and urbanisation.
Topic 23: John F. Kennedy- Rise of American foreign power and South Vietnam.
Research Aim: The research will analyse John F. Kennedy’s foreign policy strategies’ central themes. The paper examines the themes of counterinsurgency, credibility, and commitment in South Asia, particularly South Vietnam, to improve his credibility after the Bay of Pigs incident. The paper will observe the president’s fascination regarding psychological warfare, military forces, and countering ‘communism’ aggression in Southeast Asia.
Italian Unification History Dissertation Topics
Topic 1: the preservation of italy- analysing the fragility of italian unity 1866-68..
Research Aim: The research analyses the impact of the Austro-Prussian War at its conclusion in July 1866. The paper analyses factors such as the fall of the Liberal government in Britain that impacted the fragility of the Italian Unification. The paper examines the historical event through the bilateral relationship between a newly rising Italy and Britain.
Topic 2: Analysing the Italian post-unification period- Racial and colonial factors influencing modern Italians.
Research Aim: The research will analyse the rise of Italian fascism with the premise that it rose from the failures of previous liberal governments. The study particularly examines the first Liberal period after unification, which led to the explosion of civil war in the South of Italy. The study will analyse the racial and colonial factors that influenced the competition with Western European nations for imperialistic endeavours.
Topic 3: Prison system management in 19th-century Italian prisons after unification.
Research Aim: The research analyses accounting practices in prisons using documentation analysis of the prison management system of major Italian States in the early 19th century. The study aims to use various accounting methods to uncover the potentially socially damaging tools of accounting in prison reforms to discipline individuals of lesser status.
Topic 4: The impact of the mafia on Italian education after unification.
Research Aim: The research will use historical point data to analyse the impact the Mafia had on the level of education between 1874 and 1913. The particular geographic constraint of the study will be restricted to Sicily, Italy, after the unification of the Italian Kingdom in 1861.
German Unification History Dissertation Topics
Topic 1: examining the parties and problems of governance in the german empire..
Research Aim: The research will examine, using document analysis, the various processes for political restructuring that caused the founding of many political parties, interest groups, and civic associations. The research analyses how the Federal Republic strategised to transfer German Democratic Republic citizens’ sovereign rights to international institutions and the Federal Republic institutions.
Topic 2: Analysing the collapse of the GDR and the reunification of Germany.
Research Aim: The research will analyse the factors and influences surrounding the collapse of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) from 1898 to 1990 and the reunification of East and West Germany. The research will also analyse the role of businesses with regard to the collapse, particularly the German business elites and their relationship with the Soviet Union.
Topic 3: Analysing the impact of Bismarck on the capitulation of German liberalism.
Research Aim: The research will analyse the impact the German National Liberal party of 1866 to 1867 had on supporting Otto von Bismarck’s policy of German unification. The study will examine the political stakes involved and the philosophy of Realpolitik in the Unification of the German Empire.
Topic 4: The impact of radical nationalism and political change after Bismarck.
Research Aim: The research will examine the factors that gave rise to the radicalisation of the German right under the politics of Otto von Bismarck. The study looks to find evidence of German fascism prior to World War II. To conduct the research, a thorough document analysis will be done with an extensive literature review.
World War I Dissertation Topics
Topic 1: the response of german immigrants to discrimination in the usa during world war i.
Research Aim: The research will examine the impact of caste-based discrimination on assimilation patterns of immigrant minorities, specifically German immigrants in the United States during WWI. The study will understand if discriminated minority groups increase their assimilation efforts to avoid discrimination and public harassment. The research will use naming patterns of children and records of petitions of naturalisations to conduct the study empirically.
Topic 2: Analysing the impact of affective experience and popular emotion on WWI International Relations.
Research Aim: The research will examine the factors of communal emotion and mass emotion during the outbreak of WWI to demonstrate the political significance of widespread sentiment. The research looks to study the factors with regard to contemporary populism.
Topic 3: The impact of military service in WWI on the economic status of American Veterans?
Research Aim: The research will analyse the different registration regimes during the WWI draft to find their impact on economic outcomes. The research will use empirical from 1900 to 1930 United States to study short-term impact of military service, while the United States census of 1960 is used to determine the long-term impacts. The data collected will be of household income and draft population of the time in WW1.
Topic 4: Examining the Impact of Quarrying Companies Royal Engineers in WWI to support British armies on the Western Front.
Research Aim: The research will examine the history of the Quarrying Companies unit within the Royal Engineers in WWI. The study will analyse the impact that the group had on British armies on the Western Front, particularly for the aid of the British Expeditionary Forces until its disbandment in 1919.
The Great Depression (Britain 1918-1939) Dissertation Topics
Topic 1: the impact of the great depression on labour productivity..
Research Aim: The research will examine the labour productivity of the UK manufacturing industry during the Great Depression. The research will be of empirical methodology and collect data on actual hours of work, real output, and employment statistics. The study will prove that during the Great Depression, output per work hour was counter-cyclical between 1929 and 1932.
Topic 2: Analysing the discourse of British newspapers during the Great Depression.
Research Aim: The research will use document analysis and text analysis to examine the rhetoric of British newspapers when unemployment rises. The study will accurately analyse the Great Depression in Britain by determining how the stigmatisation of poverty changes in the rhetoric of newspapers when discussing unemployment.
Topic 3: The Impact of the Great Depression on British Women Migration 1925-1935.
Research Aim: The research will analyse the impact that the Great Depression had on the migration of women out of Britain to the rest of its empire. The study will use empirical data to analyse the Society for Overseas Settlement of British Women (SOSBW). The research will assess if the society’s training programme influenced the employment and migration of women.
Topic 4: The Great Depression and British industrial growth- Analysing economic factors contributing to the Great Depression in Britain.
Research Aim: The research will analyse the British deceleration of industrial growth and the percentage rate of growth as the cause of the Great Depression in Britain. The research will examine the contribution of the Industrial Revolution and its initial rapid percentage of rate of growth causing ‘retardation.’ The study will be empirical and analyse historical patterns of Britain’s national economy.
Second World War Dissertation Topics
Topic 1: analysing brazilian aviation in world war ii.
Research Aim: The research will analyse the extent to which Brazilians were actively engaged in combat on the Brazilian coast and in the European theatre. The study will primarily focus on the global conflict through the Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB, or the Brazilian Air Force development before participation in the Second World War.
Topic 2: The impact of invention secrecy in World War II.
Research Aim: The research will examine the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patent secrecy orders which put over 11,000 US patent applications given secrecy orders. The study will analyse how this policy impacted keeping technology from the public during the war effort, specifically radar, electronics, and synthetic materials.
Topic 3: Analysing aerial photographic intelligence in WWII by British geologists.
Research Aim: The research will examine the period of WWII from 1939 to 1945 when intelligence was collected from aerial photographs by the Allied Central Interpretation Unit. The study will assess the history of aerial photographic information based on geology contributing to the Allied landings in Normandy in 1944.
Topic 4: Analysing British propaganda in the United States during WWII.
Research Aim: The research will analyse the strategies that British propagandists used to understand the American opinion of WWII during the war and for post-war relationships. The study will investigate the policies and factors that contributed to keeping the wartime alliance and creating an acceptable political climate in the United States for post-war cooperation.
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History of Nazi Germany Dissertation Topics
Topic 1: the impact of discrimination against jewish managers on firm performance in nazi germany..
Research Aim: The research will examine the large-scale increase in discrimination in Nazi Germany to cause the dismissal of qualified Jewish managers in large firms. The study will analyse the persistent stock prices of firms, dividend payments, and return on assets after the discriminatory removal of Jewish managers.
Topic 2: Examining children’s literature in Nazi Germany
Research Aim: The research will analyse children’s literature which was propagandised between 1933 and 1945 under the National Socialists party. The paper will examine the various themes, specifically the Nordic German worldview, and how German values were distorted to produce a homogenous folk community.
Topic 3: Shifting from liberal education of the Weimar Republic to Nazi educational reforms- Analysing educational reforms under the Nazi government.
Research Aim: The research will examine education reform that the National Socialist government implemented in elementary education. The research will look to accumulate personal accounts of families and students who experienced the era to better comprehend the educational reforms. The study seems to under how these educational reforms moulded student ideologies.
Topic 4: The effects of antisemitism in film comedy in Nazi Germany.
Research Aim: The research will explore the themes of antisemitism in film comedy produced during the reign of the Nazi party in Germany. The research will study how themes impacted the perceptions of people living in Germany post-war. The research will use document analysis and empirical analysis to document and examine the themes and attitudes.
History of Cinema Dissertation Topics
Topic 1: analysing the history and politics of bollywood..
Research Aim: The research will explore the various events in Indian film history that have allowed it to become a global sensation. The paper will analyse its market-driven triumph against Hollywood imports starting from the 1930s. The paper will also examine the nationalist social views of films produced in Bollywood during the 1950s.
Topic 2: The role of cinematic depictions influencing popular understanding of the Spanish Civil War.
Research Aim: The research will examine the role that cinema played in shaping the understanding of the Spanish Civil War. The study will focus on fictional films that were produced in Spain and Hollywood between the 1940s and the early years of the 21st century.
Topic 3: Analysing distinctive characteristics of Korean films.
Research Aim: The research will analyse the characteristics of Korean films and examine their historical development. The research will focus on the eras of the Japanese colonial period to 1945 when the American army occupied South Korea. The study will analyse the role of censorship throughout this time period in producing Korean films.
Topic 4: Examining the history of cinema in Britain since 1896.
Research Aim: The research will explore the development of cinema exhibitions and cinema-going in Britain in 1896. They will analyse various factors that led to the rapid growth of cinema in Britain just before WWI. The study will examine factors such as the position of cinema, the development of modern spaces, artistic respectability, the invention of sound, and cinema as individual entertainment.
History of Racism Dissertation Topics
Topic 1: analysing the factors influencing institutional racism in america..
Research Aim: The research will explore the complicated history of racism in the United States. It will analyse how racism has become embedded throughout American society, from land ownership, education, healthcare, employment, and the criminal justice system. The research will use a mixed-methods research approach to gather data.
Topic 2: Examining the relationship between racism and environmental deregulation in the Trump Era.
Research Aim: The research will analyse the possible relationship between environmental deregulation and racism between 2016 and 2017 under the Trump Administration. The study will primarily collect data from executive actions, ecological events, and tweets from the President during this time period. The study will document racist events that were targeted at people of colour, Asians, Arabs, South Asians, Muslims, and indigenous persons.
Topic 3: Analysing the experience of racism in English schools towards Eastern European Migrants.
Research Aim: The research will use qualitative design to analyse the experience of racism faced by students of Eastern European descent. The research will use the framework proposed by the Critical Race Theory and Critical Conceptions of Whiteness to conduct the study. The research will focus on the racism experienced by these students as marginal whiteness for their various linguistic accents.
Topic 4: The impact of racism on Afro-Italian entrepreneurship.
Research Aim: The research will use qualitative data to analyse the participation of Afro-Italian women entrepreneurs in start-ups relating to beauty, style, and hair care lines. The study explores the obstacles that young black women entrepreneurs face in Italian due to racism and how their inclusion in small economies changes the perception of Blackness and Black womanhood related to Italian material culture.
Also Read: Religion, Theology and Philosophy Dissertation Topics
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History of Spanish Civil War Dissertation Topics
Topic 1: examining the role of international nurses during the spanish civil war..
Research Aim: The research will use document analysis, primarily memoirs, to explore the life and work of international nurse participation during the Spanish Civil War. The study will examine their role with regard to contributions made to Spanish nursing during the war.
Topic 2: Examining republican propaganda during the Spanish Civil War.
Research Aim: The research will explore the propaganda used by the Republicans of the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939 to support their ideology of the war. The paper will focus on three primary forms of media – newspapers, cinema, and music. The study will conduct the analysis using historical context to examine its effectiveness in propagating the Republican messages.
Topic 3: The history of British Battalions in the International Brigades of the Spanish Civil War.
Research Aim: The research will examine the role, experiences, and contributions of British volunteers to the Spanish Republic through the British Battalion of the 15th International Brigade. The study will accurately analyse the motivations of the volunteers to join the International Brigades and participate in the Spanish Civil War.
Topic 4: British cultural perspectives on the Spanish Civil War.
Research Aim: The research will explore the cultural perspectives of the political understanding of the British responses to the Spanish Civil War. The study will examine the mass culture and personal experiences of British visitors to Spain in the 1930s.
History of the United States Dissertation Topics
Topic 1: the impact of ‘the frontier’ on american expansion and imperialism..
Research Aim: The research explores the idea of ‘manifest destiny, its connection to the American frontier, and its impact on imperialism. The study focuses on how the American perception of savagery and civilisation is related to expanding the American frontier.
Topic 2: Analysing the American public opinion on the War in Vietnam.
Research Aim: The research uses empirical data to analyse the American public attitude with regard to the Vietnam War. The data will be analysed using demographic groups and perception studies. The study will investigate how these perceptions eventually shaped government policy preferences during the Vietnam War.
Topic 3: Analysing the inaugural speeches of re-elected US presidents since WWII.
Research Aim: The research identifies, analyses, and assesses the use of individual style in inaugural speeches of re-elected US presidents since WWII. The research will be conducted using document analysis of lexical and semantic levels. The study will assess how the inaugural addresses are shaped to reflect the public policy of re-elected presidents.
Topic 4: Analysing the rise of white power and paramilitary groups in the United States.
Research Aim: The research analyses the rise and expansion of white nationalists and racist far-right groups using government publications, journalistic accounts, and archival records. The research focuses on the failure in Vietnam, giving rise to white power movements. The study will examine various events to assess the factors and significance that caused an increase in paramilitary groups in the United States.
Topic 5: Examining the rise of new white nationalism in America.
Research Aim: The research will use data acquired from speeches, books, and internet sources written by white nationalists to assess the shift of white nationalist ideas of oppression of other races to a view of victimhood of white nationalists. The research will use an extensive literature review to document the development of white nationalism in American history while also considering the development of social media.
Historic Events of Early Twentieth-Century Dissertation Topics
Topic 1: the creation of uniquely american musical sounds; changes in classical music from the 19th to 20th century..
Research Aim: The research explores the changes in American classical music, shifting from its traditional European origins to a more defined American sound. The study will contend that historical events such as the upheaval and shifts of society during the American Civil War were the main factors in the creation of new American classical music.
Topic 2: The influence of political parties on democracy and party-state relations in the 20th-century.
Research Aim: The research will analyse institutional reforms of party-state relations, including constitutions, electoral laws, and party laws in France and Italy during the 20th century. The study will examine the impact of party entanglement on contributing to democratisation in Europe.
Topic 3: The impact of suspicion and distrust on conflict coverage- A case study of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Research Aim: The research will use inductive-qualitative analysis to examine the journalistic narratives of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. To do so, the factors of suspicion of information sources, awareness of being under suspicion, and distrust of peer journalists are used to examine the trust of journalists and the dilemmas they face in hostile environments.
Also Read: Project Management Dissertation Topics
List Of Top Trending Dissertation Topics For History Students
- Decolonisation Movements and the Reshaping of Global Power Dynamics
- The Rise of Social Media and Its Influence on Historical Narratives
- Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Historical Research
- The Cold War’s Legacy in the Context of Contemporary Geopolitical Tensions
- Redefining National Identity in a Globalised World
- A Long-Term Analysis of The Environmental Consequences of Industrialization
- The Representation of Race and Gender in Historical Film and Television
- The Ethics of Cultural Appropriation in Museums and Historical Sites
- Space and its Influence on International Cooperation
- Cyberwarfare and its Implications for Global Security
- The Role of Technology in Shaping Revolutions Throughout History
- The Power of Propaganda and its Role in Shaping Public Opinion
- The Interconnectedness of Global Trade Routes and Historical Exchange
- The Black Death’s Devastating Impact and its Long-Term Social Repercussions
- The Rise of Populism and its Challenges to Democratic Institutions
- The History of Censorship and its Impact on Freedom of Expression
- The New World and its Devastating Consequences on Indigenous Populations
- The Scientific Revolution and its Challenges to Religious Authority
- The French Revolution’s Legacy: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, and Their Unfinished Business
- The Unintended Consequences of Technological Advancements Throughout History
- The Power of Social Movements in Driving Political and Social Change
- The History of Espionage and its Influence on International Relations
- The Role of Diplomacy in Resolving International Conflicts
- The Vietnam War’s Legacy and its Enduring Impact on American Society
- The Civil Rights Movement in the United States and its Global Influence
- The History of LGBTQ+ Rights and the Ongoing Fight for Equality
- The Challenges and Opportunities of Urbanisation Throughout History
- The History of Mental Health and the Changing Attitudes Towards Treatment
- The Role of Religion in Shaping Historical Events and Social Development
- The History of Education and its Impact on Social Mobility
- The Power of Literature and Art in Reflecting and Influencing Historical Change
- The Role of Espionage in Shaping the Outcomes of Major Historical Events
- The Challenges of Preserving and Interpreting Historical Artifacts for Future Generations
Important Notes:
As a student of history looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment with existing history theories – i.e., to add value and interest to your research topic.
The field of history is vast and interrelated to so many other academic disciplines like literature , linguistics , politics , international relations , and more. That is why it is imperative to create a history dissertation topic that is particular, sound, and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.
We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic; it is the basis of your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong; your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, and there is a possibility that the study is not viable.
This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation as you may end up in a cycle of rejection at the very initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.
While developing a research topic, keeping our advice in mind will allow you to pick one of the best history dissertation topics that fulfils your requirement of writing a research paper and add to the body of knowledge.
Therefore, it is recommended that when finalising your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.
Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and can also be practically implemented. Take a look at some of our sample history dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.
How to Structure Your History Dissertation
A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.
- A Title Page
- Acknowledgements
- Declaration
- Abstract: A summary of the research completed
- Table of Contents
- Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems to be addressed. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
- Literature Review : This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analysing published and unpublished literature available on the chosen research topic, in light of research questions to be addressed. The purpose is to highlight and discuss the relative weaknesses and strengths of the selected research area while identifying any research gaps. Break down of the topic, and key terms can have a positive impact on your dissertation and your tutor.
- Methodology : The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter, which usually includes research design , research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods, and data analysis strategy .
- Findings and Analysis : Findings of the research are analysed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs, charts, and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
- Discussion and Conclusion : The researcher presents his interpretation of the results in this chapter, and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section is to establish the link between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regard to the implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
- References : Make sure to complete this in accordance with your University’s requirements
- Bibliography
- Appendices : Any additional information, diagrams, or graphs that were used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How to find dissertation topics about history.
- History era or event that excites you!
- Look for the historical roots of modern issues.
- Seek guidance from professors with research areas you like.
- Consider the availability of research materials for your topic.
- Narrow a broad topic into a specific research question.
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Feel free to use or get inspired by our list of the top 20 most interesting dissertation topics on youth crime and young offenders.
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History: writing a history dissertation.
- Writing a History Dissertation
- Referencing and Style Guide
- Literature Search Plan
- American History
Starting a Literature Search
Conducting a literature search is a great way to find a viable topic and plan your research. It will also give you the opportunity to look for primary and secondary resources that can support the arguments you make in your dissertation.
Starting your literature search early will help you plan your dissertation and give you an overview of all the resources you might want to consult. Below are examples of how you can start this process and how they can help.
Dissertation Books
Define your Topic
Start your search by identifying a broad subject area, such as a country, period, theme or person. You might do this by looking at reference works, such as a Very Short Introduction , Cambridge Histories , or Oxford Handbooks . These books will give you an insight into the many areas you can investigate in greater depth and they will also provide references to peer-reviewed material on more defined topics.
Next , look at material which focuses more on the area you have identified from reference works. These might be books, chapters or articles which focus on a more defined area of the subject you have identified. Use these to formulate questions that you can answer in your research.
Then , read resources that will help you form your argument and answer the questions you have set. This material should focus on the topic you have chosen and help you explain what has been written on this area before.
Search for Secondary Resources
In order to successfully search for resources relevant to your study, you will need to use search-terms which will retrieve the best results. The tips below will help you do this:
Terms you have found in your reading
Keep a note of terms you have seen when you have been identifying your topic. This could be anything relevant your topic, including: places, people, jobs, religions, institutions, objects, periods, or events. Also, take note of terms that are related to your topic and had an impact on the area you are studying. Write down all the terms which relate to your topic and note which ones provide the most relevant results.
It can also be useful to keep a note of what you are not looking at so that you stay focused on your topic and do not retrieve too many results.
Authors who are written about the topic
You will start to notice that some authors are mentioned as specialists on the topic you are researching. Search a variety of catalogues to find what they have written on the subject in different formats. They might have contributed to edited works, written articles, given presentations to conferences or annotated works. They also might lead you to others who have written about your topic or research groups which are relevant to your studies.
Use subject searches
Most secondary resources have been indexed according to their subject. Through using these subject terms you can search catalogues more efficiently and find relevant resources without just searching the title or author.
If you find a useful resources, try looking at its catalogue record. See if any of the subject headings look useful and note what terminology they use as this will be consistent across most databases. When you have found a useful term, copy and paste it into a subject search (or select the link) and see what other resources are available.
You can also use an online thesaurus to find search terms. The most commonly used terms are the Library of Congress Subject Headings which provide uniform terms across international databases.
Use databases
The University subscribes to many databases that focus on different countries and topics. These will provide a comprehensive guide to what has been written in your area and may use different subject headings. Reference databases and bibliographies can be especially useful for finding citations of everything that has been written on a certain area of history. Biographical databases can also help find information about individuals and institutions. For a complete list of all the databases the University subscribes to, look at the A-Z of databases .
Search for Primary Resources
There are plenty of primary resources that can be used in your dissertation. The University subscribes to many databases that provide access to primary resources and some of our libraries hold special collections which can be used in your research. Below are some examples:
The University subscribes to many newspapers from the past and present. They can be a really useful tool for finding contemporary accounts of events and provide more than just articles (including: advertisements, illustrations, family notices, sports, arts, court cases). Many newspaper databases will also include related content, such as pamphlets and newsbooks.
The University Library has a collection of print newspapers which can be consulted on site. The University also subscribes to electronic databases of national and local newspapers across the world. More information about the newspaper databases we subscribe to is available on our dedicated website .
Special Collection Material
Many libraries and archives provide access to rare, unique and specialised collections of books and manuscripts. The University Library, for example, provides access to Manuscripts and Rare Books Departments , as do some of the colleges. Some of the more frequently used and important material is also available as part of an online library, such as Cambridge's CUDL .
Official Publications (Government Documents)
Documents produced by governmental and intergovernmental bodies can provide an insight into their decision making and governance. Several libraries in Cambridge have received official publications material and a lot of material is now available online. More information about the official material in Cambridge libraries is available on our Official Publications LibGuide .
Data and Statistics
Figures can be used to help illustrate a point and provide evidence as you answer the central question in your dissertation. You might chose to refer to census data, crime statistics, trade figures, or any other data set that relates to your area of history. This sort of information can be found in databases and replicated in secondary resources.
Private Papers
If you are researching an individual (or someone who played a prominent role in the area you are focusing on) it is a good idea to see if they have deposited private papers in an archive. These might includes diaries, letters, draft works, or anything else that was kept and not published. These works are normally kept in an archive, so a good starting point is to look at a catalogue that might show where relevant papers are held (such as Archives Hub )
These can include maps, cartoons, paintings and photographs. Images are available both in print and online, but you need to be cautious of the copyright restrictions of images before you use them (check the information given by the source). Some databases will allow you to search images, like ARTstor , so use them as a good starting point for your search.
Audio-Visual
Similarly to images, the University provides access to a variety of audio-visual resources, including interviews, recordings, radio and films. If there is a particular DVD you would like to use, try searching the title in iDiscover. For example, " Interviews with Historians " will take you to a comprehensive collection of DVDs available at the Seeley. Many films are also available online, such as British Pathe .
Organise and Save Your Research
You will be able to do a comprehensive and efficient literature search if you keep a record of what you have read, where you read it and what each item means to your research. The best way to achieve this is to:
1. Record the key ideas, themes and quotes from what you have read. Try to find a uniform way to do this as it will make it easier to find information when you come to write your dissertation. Some formats are freely available on the internet, such as the Cornell Note Taking System .
2. Save citations you have looked at so you do not struggle to find them again. Also, this will help you when you come to do your references. There are many reference managers available to help you store this information and create a fully formatted bibliography.
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In consultation with the advisor, who also serves as first reader of the dissertation, students invite faculty members to join the dissertation committee, which is ordinarily formed no later than one term after the completion of the general exam. The committee is typically comprised of three readers , though a student may have as few as two or as many as four .
What is the Dissertation Committee?
The dissertation committee is composed of either three or four members, at least two of whom are ordinarily members or formal affiliates of the History Department. The adviser must be a member of the History Department.
- First Reader / Adviser: The Dissertation Committee is chaired by a member of the History Department who has been designated as the student’s adviser. The Adviser works closely with the student at all stages of the dissertation, from formulation of the topic through writing and defense.
- Second Reader: a senior or junior faculty member from the history department, or affiliated with the department as listed in the Courses of Instruction. If a student wishes to include a second reader who is not affiliated with the department, he or she submits a petition to the coordinator for approval by the director of graduate studies.
- Third Reader: may be a member of another department, faculty, or university. With the permission of the advisor and the DGS, a candidate may choose not to approach a third reader for academic reasons. If a student wishes not to have a third reader, he or she must make that decision known to the Coordinator of Graduate Studies by the end of the spring semester of their fourth year.
- Fourth Reader: optional; may be added toward the completion of the dissertation. Note: the dissertation defense committee will consist of the student's dissertation committee plus one additional member (see "Oral Defense and Defense Committee" below.)
Throughout the research and writing phase, students are urged to maintain communication with all readers, and submit chapters as they are completed to the committee as a whole.
To complete the administrative process of forming the committee, students submit the dissertation committee form to the coordinator. The form requires the signatures of each reader, so please begin collecting signatures as soon as possible.
Changes to the Dissertation Committee
After establishing a dissertation committee, a student may choose to replace a reader. This decision should be made after careful consideration and consultation with his or her advisor. The student should initiate discussions with the current and potential reader; and it is important there should be no ambiguity about the new reader’s agreement to serve on the Committee. The Graduate Coordinator, once notified, will update the official record of committee names.
Oral Defense and the Defense Committee
Students defend their dissertation before it is approved by the dissertation defense committee .* The defense committee consists of the student’s dissertation committee plus one additional member drawn from the History Department, another Harvard department, or outside the University. Prior to the oral defense, each member of the defense committee may write a detailed report on the dissertation, but this is not required. The defense itself should last approximately two hours. It is open to the intellectual community of faculty and graduate students as well as friends and family of the candidate. Once the dissertation has been successfully defended, the members of the defense committee sign the dissertation acceptance certificate, and append their reports to it.
Defense Deadlines
The defense needs to be held before the GSAS dissertation submission deadline, and final dissertations must be submitted to the members of the Dissertation Defense Committee at least one month in advance to give them time to prepare their reports. This suggests the following timelines:
For a May Degree : Dissertation due at GSAS by mid-May . Therefore, the defense must occur no later than early May (again, with final draft submitted at least a month prior).
For a November degree : Dissertation due at GSAS by mid-September . Therefore, the defense must occur no later than early September (with final draft submitted at least a month prior).
Students can also apply for a March degree . The GSAS dissertation submission deadline for March degrees is in mid-January, which means that students aiming for the March degree will need to defend by mid-December, before the winter break.
Where do I submit my dissertation?
Online submission of the dissertation via ETD @ Harvard is required by the Graduate School. Dissertations must be received by 11:59 pm on the deadline date for the given degree period. NO EXTENSIONS TO THIS DEADLINE ARE PROVIDED.
http://www.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/registration-enrollment-degrees/graduation-diplomas/phd-dissertation-submission
Dissertations should be submitted in their final format, in accordance with the guidelines listed in the Form of the PhD Dissertation booklet, and ready for publication. The Registrar’s Office will review the document for formatting compliance. Formatting errors may prevent the conferral of the degree and the student may need to apply for the next available degree period. A sample dissertation as well as the Top Ten Common Errors are provided for your convenience.
The following two surveys must be completed and completion confirmation codes provided during dissertation submission.
1. Survey of Earned Doctorates
2. GSAS Exit Survey of Postgraduate Plans
In addition to the electronic dissertation submission, an electronic copy of your signed Dissertation Acceptance Certificate must also be submitted. It must be signed by a minimum of three readers , two of whom must be members of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The student name must match the legal name on file at the Registrar's Office .
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College of Arts & Sciences
Completed Dissertations
2020-present.
Beaman, Greg Transregional History “Slavery in the Suburbs: A History of Real Estate and Slavery in the Faubourgs of New Orleans, 1788-1852” Advisor: Adam Rothman
Broadus, Victoria Latin American History “ Vissungo: The Afro-Descended Culture of Miners and Maroons in Brazil’s Diamond District, 1850s-2020s “ Advisor: Bryan McCann
Burnham, Jakob European History “Producing Pondichéry: Bureaucracy, Social Lives, and Urban Development in French India, 1699-1757” Advisors: Elizabeth Cross and James Collins
Donnell, Natalie European History “Noblewomen’s Political Networks Across the European Wars of Religion (1559-1633)” Advisors: James Collins & Amy Leonard
Gao, Yuan East & Central Asian History “China’s Great West: Environment and Economy in Late Qing Xinjiang, 1877-1917” Advisor: James Millward
MacKinlay, Hillary Transregional History “‘The Kingdom Will Prosper’: Imperialism In Fiji, 1800-1874” Advisors: Alison Games & Carol Benedict
Mensah, Tracey African History “ ‘Shopping for All Pocket’: A Business History of Indians in Ghana, 1890–1980 “ Advisor: Meredith McKittrick
Nanavati, Abhishek East & Central Asian History “ Co-Producing ‘American Dreams’: Dependents Housing, Hydroponic Farming, and the Militarization of Everyday Life in Occupied Japan, Okinawa, and South Korea, 1945-1950 “ Advisor: Jordan Sand
Stephens, Leigh European History “Violating the Body Politic: The Politic of Suffering, Gender, and Royal Authority during the French Wars of Religion (1560-1589)” Advisors: James Collins & Amy Leonard
Sultan, Yasser Middle East & North African History “Beyond The Battlefield: Military Propaganda and the Battle for Narrative in Nasser’s & Sadat’s Egypt” Advisor: Judith Tucker
Young, Perry Russian & Eastern European History “The Dialectics of War: Left and Right Ideologies of War, Peace, and Militarism in Russia and Sweden, 1914-1945” Advisor: Michael David-Fox
2022-2023
Akgül, Önder Middle East & North African History “ Ecology, the Accumulation of Capital, and Dispossession in Late Ottoman Western Anatolia “ Advisor: Mustafa Aksakal
Chan, Paula Russia & Eastern European History “ Eyes on the Ground: Soviet Investigations of the Nazi Occupation “ Advisor: Michael David-Fox
Grams, Benan Middle East & North African History “ Damascus in the Time of Cholera: The Impact of Communicable Diseases on the Transformation of an Ottoman Provincial Capital 1840-1920 “ Advisor: Mustafa Aksakal
La Lime, Matthew African History “ Land, Informality, and Security: A Material History of West Africa’s Futa Jallon Massif (1650-2019) “ Advisor: Meredith McKittrick
Norweg, Emily United States History “ Mass(achusetts) Incarceration and Higher Education: the Deep Origins and Contested History of College Behind Bars in the Bay State “ Advisor: Marcia Chatelain
Steir, Kate Transregional History “ Provisions of Power: Food and Scarcity in Jamaica 1730-1790 “ Advisor: Alison Games
2021-2022
Christensen, Robert Latin American History “Worlds in Conflict: Indigenous Peoples, Environmental Challenges, and the ‘Conquista del Desierto’ in the Making of Argentina, 1870-1900” Advisor: Erick Langer
De Vries, Jennifer European History “‘In the Manner of the Beguines’: Regulating Beguine Life in the Low Countries, 1200-1600” Advisor: Amy Leonard
Dingman, Jacob East & Central Asian History “‘The Unknown Country’: Tibet in the Western Imagination, 1850 – 1950” Advisor: James Millward
Hudson, Chelsea East & Central Asian history “‘To Absent Us from Humanity’: Ainu and Population Counts under Russian and Japanese Administration” Advisor: Jordan Sand
Loyd, Thomas Russian and Eastern European History “Black in the USSR: African Students, Soviet Empire, and the Politics of Global Education during the Cold War” Advisor: Michael David-Fox
Proctor, Dylan Environmental History “Multidisciplinary Approaches to Infectious Disease History in Twentieth-Century Africa” Advisor: Timothy Newfield
Tarasov, Stanislav Russian and Eastern European History “Noble Feelings of Dissent: Russian Emotional Culture and the Decembrist Revolt of 1825” Advisor: Michael David-Fox
Torres, James Latin American History “Trade in a Changing World: Gold, Silver, and Commodity Flows in the Northern Andes, 1780-1840” Advisor: Erick Langer
Thacker, Molly United States History “‘Are We Not Children Too?’: Race, Media, and the Formative History of Unaccompanied Immigrant Children in the United States Advisor: Katherine Benton-Cohen
Young, Cory United States History “For Life or Otherwise: Abolition and Slavery in South Central Pennsylvania, 1780-1847” Advisor: Adam Rothman
2020-2021
Barraza Mendoza, Elsa United States History “Catholic Slaveholders, Enslaved People, and the Making of Georgetown University, 1792-1862” Advisor: Adam Rothman
DeLorenzo, Christopher Latin American History “Coca Substitution and Community Response in the Yungas of La Paz, Bolivia, 1920-1988” Advisor: Erick Langer
Eames, Anthony Transregional History “Public Diplomacy For the Nuclear Age: Anglo American Grand Strategy in the Late Cold War” Advisor: Kathryn Olesko & David Painter
Feldman, Benjamin United States History “Liberation from the Affluent Society: The Political Thought of the Third World in Post‐War America” Advisor: Michael Kazin
Gornostaev, Andrey Russia and Eastern European History “Peasants ‘on the Run’: State Control, Fugitives, Social and Geographic Mobility in Imperial Russia, 1649-1796” Advisor: James Collins
Holekamp, Abigail Russian and Eastern European History “Citizens and Comrades: Entangled Revolutions and the Production of Knowledge between Russia and France, 1905-1936” Advisor: Michael David-Fox
Johnson, Matthew Environmental History “Temples of Modern Pharaohs: Environmental Impacts of Dams and Dictatorship in Brazil” Advisor: John McNeill
Kang, Sukhwan European History “Between Peaceful Coexistence and Ongoing Conflict: Religious Tolerance and the Protestant Minority in Seventeenth-Century France” Advisor: James Collins
Kaymakci, Said European History “The Constitutional Limits of Military Reform: Ottoman Political Writing During the Times of Revolutionary Change, 1592-1807” Advisor: Gabor Agoston
McQueeney, Kevin United States History “The City that Care Forgot: Apartheid Health Care, Racial Health Disparity, and Black Health Activism in New Orleans, 1718-2018” Advisor: Marcia Chatelain
McRae, Douglas Latin American History “From Fluvial City To Hydro-Metropolis: Water, Sanitation, and Metropolitan Environment In São Paulo, Brazil (1850-1975)” Advisor: Bryan McCann
O’Neal, Jennifer United States History “Beyond the Trail of Broken Treaties: The International Native American Rights Movement, 1975‐1980” Advisor: David Painter
Patel, Trishula African History “Becoming Zimbabwean: A History of Indians in Rhodesia, 1890-1980” Advisor: Meredith McKittrick
Perry, Jackson Environmental History “The Gospel of the Gum: Eucalyptus Enthusiasm and the Modern Mediterranean, ca. 1848-1900” Advisor: John McNeill
Schwertner, Hillar Latin American History “Tijuandiego: Water, Capitalism and Urbanization in the Californias, 1848-1982” Advisor: John Tutino
Singh, Amarjot Transregional History “The Shadows of Command: Military Command in Ancient Sparta and Athens” Advisor: Alexander Sens & Jordan Sand
2019-2020
Belokowsky, Simon Russian & Eastern European History “‘Youth Is to Live in the City!’: Rural Out-Migration in the Black Earth Region under Khrushchev and Brezhnev” Advisor: Michael David-Fox
Cano, Daniel Latin American History “Frontiers of Education: The Making of the ‘Literate Indian’ in the Mission Schools of Chile and Bolivia, 1880-1950” Advisor: Erick Langer
Famularo, Julia East & Central Asian History “‘Fighting the Enemy with Fists and Daggers:’ The Chinese Communist Party’s Counterterrorism Policy in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region under Xi Jinping, 2012-2019” Advisor: James Millward
Foley, Thomas United States History “An ‘Odious Aristocracy:’ Energy, Politics, and the Roots of Industrial Capitalism in Nineteenth-Century Pennsylvania” Advisor: David Painter
Frazier, Chad United States History “From Subjects to Citizens: The University of Puerto Rico and the Citizenship Revolution in the Greater United States, 1898-1935” Advisor: Katherine Benton-Cohen
Hock, Stefan Middle East & North African History “Policing War and Sexuality in the Ottoman Empire and Turkey, 1908-1938” Advisor: Mustafa Aksakal
Goffman, Laura Middle East & North African History “Disorder and Diagnosis: Health and Society in the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula” Advisor: Judith Tucker
Kondoyanidi, Anita Russian & Eastern European History “The Prophet Disillusioned: Maxim Gorky and the Russian Revolutions” Advisor: Michael David-Fox
Macartney, Alexander European History “War in the Postwar: Japan and West Germany Protest the Vietnam War and the Global Strategy of Imperialism” Advisor: Anna von der Goltz
Ryzhkovskyi, Volodymyr Russian & Eastern European History “Soviet Occidentalism: Medieval Studies and the Restructuring of Imperial Knowledge in Twentieth-Century Russia” Advisor: Michael David-Fox
Scallen, Patrick Latin American History “‘The Bombs That Drop in El Salvador Explode in Mount Pleasant:’ From Cold War Conflagration to Immigrant Struggles in Washington, DC, 1970-1995” Advisor: John Tutino & Joseph McCartin
2018-2019
Al-Saif, Bader Middle East & North African History “Reform Islam? The Renewal of Islamic Thought and Praxis in Modern and Contemporary Arabian Peninsula” Advisor: Yvonne Haddad
Berry, Chelsea Transregional History “ Poisoned Relations: Medicine, Sorcery, and Poison Trials in the Contested Atlantic, 1680-1850 ” Advisor: Alison Games
Brew, Greg US History “ Mandarins, Paladins, and Pahlavis: The International Energy System, the United States, and the Dual Integration of Oil in Iran, 1925-1964 ” Advisor: David Painter
Cornwell, Graham H. Middle East & North African History “ Sweetening the Pot: A History of Tea and Sugar in Morocco, 1850-1960 ” Advisor: Osama Abi-Mershed
Dannies, Kate Middle East & North African History “ Breadwinner Soldiers: Gender, Welfare, and Sovereignty in the Ottoman First World War ” Advisor: Judith Tucker
Horn, Oliver US History “ From Model to Menace: U.S. Foreign Aid, Development, and Drugs in Cold War Colombia, 1956-1978 ” Advisor: David Painter
Kates, Adrienne Latin American History “ The Persistence of Maya Autonomy: Global Capitalism, Tropical Environments, and the Limits of the Mexican State, 1880-1950 ” Advisor: John Tutino
Mellor, Robynne Environmental History “ The Cold War Underground: An Environmental History of Uranium Mining in the United States, Canada, and the Soviet Union, 1945-1991 ” Advisor: John McNeill
Porta, Earnest Middle East & North African History “ Morocco in the Early Atlantic World, 1415-1603 ” Advisor: Osama Abi-Mershed
Raykhlina, Yelizaveta Russian & Eastern European History “ Russian Literary Marketplace: Periodicals, Social Identity, and Publishing for the Middle Stratum in Imperial Russia, 1825-1865 ” Advisor: Catherine Evtuhov Shi, Yue East & Central Asian History “ The Seven Rivers: Empire and Economy in the Russo-Qing Central Asian Frontier, 1860s-1910s “ Advisor: James Millward
2017-2018
Abbott, Elena Transregional History “ Beacons of Liberty: Free-Soil Havens and the American Slavery Debate, 1813-1863 ” Advisor: Adam Rothman Denning, Meredith Environmental History “ Connections and Consensus: Changing Goals for Transnational Water Management on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, 1900-1972 ” Advisor: John McNeill
Hull, Catherine US History “ The Machine has a Soul: American Sympathizers with Italian Fascism ” Advisor: Michael Kazin
Husain, Faisal Environmental History “ Flows of Power: The Tigris-Euphrates Basin Under Ottoman Rule, 1534-1831 ” Advisor: John McNeill
Kaplan, Isabelle Russian & Eastern European History “ The Art of Nation-Building: National Culture and Soviet Politics in Stalin-Era Azerbaijan and Other Minority Republics ” Advisor: Michael David-Fox
Maurer, John US History “ An Era of Negotiation: SALT in the Nixon Administration, 1969-1972 “ Advisor: David Painter
Mevissen, Robert European History “ Constructing the Danube Monarchy: Habsburg State-Building in the Long Nineteenth Century ” Advisor: James Shedel
Reger, Jeffrey Middle East & North African History “ Planting Palestine: The Political Economy of Olive Culture in the 20th Century Galilee and West Bank ” Advisor: Judith Tucker
Smith, Jordan Transregional History “ The Invention of Rum “ Advisor: Alison Games
Taylor, Stephanie US History “ ‘I Have the Eagle:’ Citizenship and Labor in the Progressive Era, 1890-1925 ” Advisor: Joseph McCartin
Walter, Alissa Middle East & North African History “ The Ba’ath Party in Baghdad: State-Society Relations Through Wars, Sanctions and Authoritarian Rule, 1950-2003 ” Advisor: Judith Tucker
Yeaw, Katrina Middle East & North African History “ Women, Resistance and the Creation of New Gendered Frontiers in the Making of Modern Libya, 1890-1980 ” Advisor: Judith Tucker
2016-2017
Amelicheva, Mariya Russian History “ The Russian Residency in Constantinople, 1700-1774: Russian-Ottoman Diplomatic Encounters “ Advisor: Catherine Evtuhov
Benton, James US History “ Fraying Fabric: Textile Labor, Trade Politics, and Deindustrialization, 1933-1974 ” Advisor: Joseph McCartin
Biasetto, Bruno Latin American History “ The Poisoned Chalice: Oil and Macroeconomics in Brazil (1967-2003) ” Advisor: Bryan McCann
Calisir, M. Fatih European History “ A ‘Virtuous’ Grand Vizier: Politics and Patronage in the Ottoman Empire during the Grand Vizierate of Fazil Ahmed Pasha (1661-1676)” ” Advisor: Gabor Agoston
Davies Lenoble, Geraldine Latin American History “ Filling the Desert: The Indigenous Confederacies of the Pampas and Northern Patagonia, 1840-1879 ” Advisor: Erick Langer
El Achi, Soha European History “ Children and Slave Emancipation in French Algeria and Tunisia, 1846-1892 ” Advisor: Osama Abi-Mershed
Gettig, Eric Transregional History “ Oil and Revolution in Cuba: Development, Nationalism, and the U.S. Energy Empire, 1902-1961 ” Advisor: David Painter
Gungorurler, Selim European History “ Diplomacy and Political Relations Between the Ottoman Empire and Safavid Iran, 1639-1822 ” Advisor: Gabor Agoston
Megowan, Erina Russian & Eastern European History “ For Fatherland, For Culture: State, Intelligentsia and Evacuated Culture in Russia’s Regions, 1941-1945 ” Advisor: Michael David-Fox
Mullins, Sylvia European History “ Myroblytes: Miraculous Oil in Medieval Europe ” Advisor: James Collins
Pitts, Graham Transregional History “ Fallow Fields: Famine and the Making of Lebanon, 1914-1948 ” Advisor: John McNeill
Polczynski, Michael Russian and Eastern European History “ The Wild Fields: Power and Space in the Early Modern Polish-Lithuanian/Ottoman Frontier ” Advisor: Andrzej Kaminski & Gabor Agoston
Rabah, Makram Middle East and North African History “ Conflict on Mount Lebanon: Collective Memory and the War of the Mountain ” Advisor: Osama Abi-Mershed
Shen, Yubin East and Central Asian History “ Malaria and Global Networks of Tropical Medicine in Modern China, 1919-1950 ” Advisor: Carol A. Benedict
Sicotte, Jonathan Russian and Eastern European History “ Baku: Violence, Identity and Oil ” Advisor: Michael David-Fox
2015-2016
Danforth, Nicholas Modern European History “ Memory, Modernity, and the Remaking of Republican Turkey: 1945-1960 ” Advisor: Mustafa Aksakal
Dixon, Patrick US History “ The Hamlet Factory Fire and the Political Economy of Poultry in the Twentieth Century “ Advisor: Joseph McCartin
England, Christopher US History “ Land and Liberty: Henry George, the Single Tax Movement, and the Origins of the 20th Century Liberalism “ Advisor: Michael Kazin
Gardner, Zackary US History “ Uniforming the Rugged: Gender, Identity, and the American Administrative State during the Progressive Era, 1898-1917 “ Advisor: Katherine Benton-Cohen
Gratien, Christopher Middle East & North African History “ The Mountains Are Ours: Ecology and Settlement in Late Ottoman and early Republican Cilicia, 1856-1956 “ Advisor: Judith Tucker
Gregory, Eugene John East & Central Asian History “ Desertion and the Militarization of Qing Legal Culture “ Advisor: James Millward
Hammond, Kelly East & Central Asian History “ The Conundrum of Collaboration: Japanese Involvement with Muslims in North China, 1931-1945 “ Advisor: James Millward
Johnson, Glen Russia & Eastern European History “ The Reflection of Byzantine ‘Political Hesychasm’ In The Literature of The Second South Slavic Influence ” Advisor: David Goldfrank
McCarron, Barry US International History “ The Global Irish and Chinese: Migration, Exclusion, and Foreign Relations Among Empires, 1784-1904 “ Advisor: Carol A. Benedict
Ngo, Lan, S.J. East & Southeast Asian History “ Nguyen-Catholic History (1770s-1890s) and the Gestation of Vietnamese Catholic National Identity “ Advisor: Sandra Horvath-Peterson
Pimenov, Alexei Russia & Eastern European History Dissertation Title: “ German Romantic Nationalism and Indian Cultural Tradition ” Advisor: Catherine Evtuhov
Roe, Alan Russian & Eastern European History “ Into Soviet Nature: Tourism, Environmental Protection, & the Formation of Soviet National Parks, 1950s-1990s “ Advisor: John McNeill
Veloz, Larisa Latin American History “ ’Even the Women Are Leaving’ Gendered Migrations between Mexico and the United States: Revolutionary Diasporas, Depression-Era Depatriations, and Wartime Bracero Controls, 1900-1950 ” Advisor: John Tutino
Wen, Shuang Transregional History “ Mediated Imaginations: Chinese-Arab Connections in the Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries “ Advisor: John Voll
Williams, Elizabeth Middle East & North African History “ Cultivating Empires: Environment, Expertise, and Scientific Agriculture in Late Ottoman and French Mandate Syria ” Advisor: Judith Tucker
2014-2015
Adler, Paul US History “ Planetary Citizens: U.S. NGOs and the Politics of International Development, 1965-1993 “ Advisor: Michael Kazin
Kueh, Joshua Eng Sin Transregional History “ The Manila Chinese: Community, Trade and Empire, 1570-1770 “ Advisor: Carol A. Benedict
Packard, Nathan R. US History “ The Marine Corps ‘Long March’: Modernizing the Nation’s Expeditionary Forces in the Aftermath of Vietnam, 1970-1991 “ Advisor: David Painter
Perez Montesinos, Fernando Latin American History “ Poised to Break Liberalism, Land Reform, and Communities in the Purépecha Highlands of Michoacán, Mexico, 1868-1913 “ Advisor: John Tutino
Perrier, Aurelie E. Middle East & North African History “ Intimate Matters: Negotiating Sex, Gender, and the Home in Colonial Algeria, 1830-1914 “ Advisor: Judith Tucker
Stewart Mauldin, Erin US Environmental History “ Unredeemed Land: The U.S. Civil War, Changing Land Use Practices, and the Environmental Limitations of Agriculture in the South, 1840-1880 “ Advisor: John McNeill
Taylor, Brian M. US History “ ‘To Make a Union What It Ought to Be’: African Americans, Military Service, and the Drive to Make Black Civil War Service Count “ Advisor: Chandra Manning
2013-2014
Bowlus, John V. US History “ Connecting Midstream: The Politics and Economics of Oil Transportation in the Middle East “ Advisor: David Painter
Doucette, Siobhan Russia & Eastern European History “ Mightier than the Sword: Polish Independent Publishing, 1976-1989 ” Advisor: Andrzej Kaminski
Fernandez, Rodolfo Latin American History “ Revolution and the Industrial City: Violence and Capitalism in Monterrey, Mexico, 1890 to 1920 “ Advisor: John Tutino
Gooding, Frederick W. Jr. US History “ American Dream Deferred: Black Federal Workers in Washington, D.C., 1941-1981 “ Advisor: Michael Kazin
Hill, Michael R. Transregional History “ Temperateness, Temperance, and the Tropics: Climate and Morality in the English Atlantic World, 1553-1705 “ Advisor: Alison Games
Hower, Jessica S. Transregional History “ Tudor Imperialism: Exploration, Expansion, and Experimentation in the Sixteenth-Century British Atlantic World “ Advisor: Alison Games
Hower, Joseph E. US History “ Jerry Wurf, the Rise of AFSCME, and the Fate of Labor Liberalism, 1947-1981 “ Advisor: Joseph McCartin
İşçi, Onur Middle East & North African History “ Russophobic Neutrality: Turkish Diplomacy, 1936-1945 “ Advisor: Mustafa Aksakal
Puente Valdivia, Javier Latin American History “ Closer Apart: Indigenous and Peasant Communities and the State in Capitalist Peru, 1700-1990 “ Advisor: Erick Langer
Wiley, Christopher J. Modern European History “ Textbook Diplomacy: East German Student Exchange and the GDR’s Bid for Global Legitimacy, 1951-1990 “ Advisor: Aviel Roshwald
Williams, Andrea Elizabeth Middle East & North African Environmental History “ Planting Politics: Pastoralists and French Environmental Administration in the Nineteenth-Century Mediterranean “ Advisor: John McNeill and Gabor Agoston Yoder, April R. Latin American History “ Pitching Democracy: Baseball and Politics in the Dominican Republic, 1955-1978 “ Advisor: Bryan McCann
2012-2013
Corcoran, John M. Russia & Eastern European History “ Power in the Provinces: The Evolution of Local Government Practices in Imperial Russia, 1825-1917 ” Advisor: Catherine Evtuhov
Francis-Fallon, Benjamin US History “ Minority Reports: The Emergence of Pan-Hispanic Politics, 1945-1980 ” Advisor: Michael Kazin
Harrison, Jennifer Pish US History “ Teacher Unionism and Civil Rights in Boston, 1963-1981 ” Advisor: Joseph McCartin
Hazelton, Andrew J. US History “ Open-Shop Fields: The Bracero Program and Farmworker Unionism, 1942-1964 ” Advisor: Joseph McCartin
Kern, Darcy A. Early Modern & Late Medieval European History “ The Political Kingdom: Parliamentary Institutions and Languages of Legitimacy in England and Castile, 1450-1520 ” Advisor: Jo Ann Moran-Cruz
Krache Morris, Evelyn F. US History “ Into the Wind: The Kennedy Administration and the Use of Chemicals in South Vietnam ” Advisor: David Painter
Landry, Marc D. Modern European Environmental History “ Europe’s Battery: The Making of the Alpine Energy Landscape, 1870-1955 ” Advisor: John McNeill
Lurie, Guy Early Modern & Late Medieval European History “ Citizenship in Later Medieval France, C. 1370- C. 1480 ” Advisor: James Collins
Scarborough, Daniel L. Russia & Eastern European History “ The White Priest at Work: Orthodox Pastoral Activism and Social Reconstruction in Late Imperial Russia ” Advisor: Catherine Evtuhov
Toprani, Anand US History “ Oil and Grand Strategy: Great Britain and Germany, 1918-1941 ” Advisor: David Painter
2011-2012
Apel, Thomas A. US History “ Feverish Bodies, Enlightened Minds: Yellow Fever and Common-Sense Natural Philosophy in the Early American Republic, 1793-1805 “ Advisor: Adam Rothman
Connell, Tula A. US History “ Frank Zeidler and the Conservative Challenge to Liberalism in 1950s Milwaukee “ Advisor: Joseph A. McCartin
Coral Garcia, Emilio M. Latin American History “ The Mexico City Middle Class, 1940-70: Between Tradition, the State, and the United States “ Advisor: John Tutino
Guenther, Rita S. Russia & Eastern European History “ One Local Vote at a Time: Electoral Practices of Kazan Province, 1766-1916 “ Advisor: Catherine Evtuhov
Gurkan, Emrah S. Early Modern & Late Medieval European History “ Espionage in the Sixteenth-Century Mediterranean: Secret Diplomacy, Mediterranean Go-Betweens and the Ottoman Habsburg Rivalry ” Advisor: Ágoston, Gábor
Higuchi, Toshihiro US History “ Radioactive Fallout, the Politics of Risk, and the Making of a Global Environmental Crisis, 1954–1963 “ Advisor: David Painter
Hofmeister, Björn Modern European History “ Between Monarchy and Dictatorship: Radical Nationalism and Social Mobilization of the Pan-German League, 1914-39 “ Advisor: Roger Chickering
Johnston, Shona Transregional History “ Papists in a Protestant World: The Catholic Anglo-Atlantic in the Seventeenth Century “ Advisor: Alison Games
Maureira, Hugo A. Latin American History “ Los Culpables de La Miseria:’ Poverty and Public Health during the Spanish Influenza Epidemic in Chile, 1918-1920 ” Advisor: Erick Langer
McKenna, Catherine J. Russia & Eastern European History “ The Curious Evolution of the Liberum Veto: Republican Theory and Practice in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, 1639-1705 ” Advisor: Andrzej Kaminski
Murphy, Curtis G. Russia & Eastern European History “ Progress without Consent: Enlightened Centralism vis-a-vis Local Self-Government in the Towns of East Central Europe and Russia, 1764-1840 ” Advisor: Andrzej Kaminski
Noorlander, Danny L. Transregional History “ Serving God and Mammon: The Reformed Church and the Dutch West India Company in the Atlantic World, 1621-1674 “ Advisor: Alison Games
Wang, Tao US History “ Isolating the Enemy: US-PRC Relations, 1953-1956 ” Advisor: Nancy B. Tucker
Yousef, Hoda A. Middle East & North African History “ Contested Knowledge: The Politics of Literacy in Egypt at the Turn of the 20th Century “ Advisor: Judith Tucker
2010-2011
Al-Arian, Abdullah A. Middle East & North African History “ Heeding the Call: Popular Islamic Activism in Egypt, 1970-1981 “ Advisor: John Voll
Bowman, Matthew B. US History “ The Urban Pulpit: Evangelicals and the City in New York, 1880-1930 “ Advisor: Michael Kazin
Campion, Corey J. Modern European History “ Negotiating Difference: French and American Cultural Occupation Policies and German Expectations, 1945-194 9″ Advisor: Roger Chickering
Engelke, Peter O. Modern European History “ Green City Origins: Democratic Resistance to the Auto-oriented City in West Germany, 1960-1990 “ Advisor: Roger Chickering and John McNeill
Gummer, S. Chase Modern European History “ The Politics of Sympathy: German Turcophilism and the Ottoman Empire in the Age of the Mass Media, 1871-1914 “ Advisor: Roger Chickering
Robarts, Andrew R. Russia & Eastern European History “ A Plague on Both Houses?: Population Movements and the Spread of Disease across the Ottoman-Russian Black Sea Frontier, 1768-1830s “ Advisor: Catherine Evtuhov
Rotramel, Seth A. Modern European History “ International Health, European Reconciliation, and German Foreign Policy after the First World War, 1919-1927 “ Advisor: Roger Chickering
Vallve, Frederic Latin American History “ The Impact of the Rubber Boom on the Indigenous Peoples of the Bolivian Lowlands, 1850-1920 “ Advisor: Erick Langer
2009-2010
Brandow-Faller, Megan Modern European History “ An Art of Their Own: Reinventing ‘Frauenkunst’ in the Female Academies and Artist Leagues of Late-Imperial and First-Republic Austria, 1900-1930 “ Advisor: James Shedel
Fulwider, Benjamin Latin American History “ Driving the Nation: Road Transportation and the Postrevolutionary Mexican State, 1925-1960 “ Advisor: John Tutino
Mamedov, Mikail N. Russia & Eastern European History “Imagining the Caucasus in Russian Imperial Consciousness, 1801-1864” Advisor: Catherine Evtuhov
Morrison, Christopher A. US History “ A World of Empires: United States Rule in the Philippines, 1898-1913 “ Advisor: Nancy B. Tucker
Palmer, Aaron J. US History “‘ All Matters and Things Shall Center There’: A Study of Elite Political Power in South Carolina, 1763-1776 “ Advisor: Alison Games
Sakul, Kahraman Early Modern & Late Medieval European History “ An Ottoman Global Moment: War of Second Coalition in the Levant “ Advisor: Gabor Agoston
Sexton, Mary D. US History “ The Wages of Principle and Power: Cyrus R. Vance and the Making of Foreign Policy in the Carter Administration “ Advisor: David Painter
Shlala, Elizabeth Middle East & North African History “Mediterranean Migration, Cosmopolitanism, and the Law: the Italian Community of Nineteenth-Century Alexandria, Egypt”
Wilkinson, Xenia V. Latin Amerian History “ Tapping the Amazon for Victory: Brazil’s ‘Battle for Rubber’ of World War II “ Advisor: Erick Langer
2008-2009
Abul-Magd, Zeinab A. Middle East & North African History “ Empire and Its Discontents: Modernity and Subaltern Revolt in Upper Egypt, 1700-1920 “ Advisor: Judith Tucker
Byrnes, Melissa K. Modern European History “French Like Us? Municipal Policies and North African Migrants in the Parisian Banlieues, 1945-1975” Advisor: Aviel Roshwald
Granados, Luis F. Latin American History “Cosmopolitan Indians and Mesoamerican Barrios in Bourbon Mexico City: Tribute, Community, Family and Work in 1800” Advisor: John Tutino
Lauziere, Henri Middle East & North African History “ The Evolution of the Salafiyya in the Twentieth Century through the Life and Thought of Taqi al-Din al-Hilali “ Advisor: John Ruedy
Otovo, Okezi T. Latin American History “ To Form a Strong and Populous Nation: Race, Motherhood, and the State in republican Brazil “ Advisor: Bryan McCann
Rosu, Felicia Russia & Eastern European History “ Contractual Majesty: Electoral Politics in Transylvania and Poland-Lithuania, 1571-1586 “ Advisor: Andrzej Kaminski
Swanson, Ryan US History “Jim Crow on Deck: Baseball during America’s Reconstruction” Advisor: Michael Kazin
Wackerfuss, Andrew T. Modern European History “ The Stormtrooper Family: How Sexuality, Spirituality, and Community Shaped the Hamburg SA “ Advisor: Roger Chickering
Wyrtzen, Jonathan D. Middle East & North African History “ Constructing Morocco: The Colonial Struggle to Define the Nation, 1912-1956 “ Advisor: John Voll
2007-2008
Bulmus, Birsen Middle East & North African History “ The Plague in the Ottoman Empire, 1300-1838 “ Advisor: Kathryn Olesko
Elliott, Robin Gates Russia & Eastern European History “ Saddling the Cow: The Collectivization of Agriculture in Poland, 1948-1956 “ Advisor: Andrzej Kaminski
Fedyashin, Anton A. Russia & Eastern European History “Auchtotonous and Practical Liberals: Vestnik Evropy and Modernization in Late Imperial Russia” Advisor: Catherine Evtuhov
Lambert, Margo M. US History “ Francis Daniel Pastorius: An American in Early Pennsylvania, 1683-1719/20 “ Advisor: Alison Games
Lin, Catherine Kai-Ping East & Central Asian History “ Nationalism in International Politics: The Republic of China’s Sports Foreign-Policy-Making and Diplomacy from 1972-1981 “ Advisor: Carol A. Benedict
Ma, Haiyun East & Central Asian History “ New Teachings and New Territories: Religion, Regulation, and Regions in Qing Gansu, 1700-1800 “ Advisor: James Millward
Oyen, Meredith US History “ Allies, Enemies, and Aliens: Migration and U.S.-Chinese Relations, 1940-1965 “ Advisor: Nancy B. Tucker
Sbaiti, Nadya J. Middle East & North African History “ Lessons in History: Education and the Formation of National Society in Beirut, Lebanon, 1920s-1960s “ Advisor: Judith Tucker
Vann, Martin E. Modern European History “ Encounters with Modernity: Jews, Music, and Vienna, 1880-1914 “ Advisor: James Shedel
2006-2007
Ameskamp, Simone Modern European History “ On Fire: Cremation in Germany, 1870s-1934 “ Advisor: Roger Chickering
Carter, Karen E. Early Modern & Late Medieval European History “ Creating Catholics: Catechism and Primary Education in Early Modern France “ Advisor: James Collins
Gruber, Isaiah J. Russia & Eastern European History “ The Russian Orthodox Church and the Time of Troubles, 1598-1613 “ Advisor: David Goldfrank
Keller, Tait S. Modern European History “ Eternal Mountains–Eternal Germany: The Alpine Association and the Ideology of Alpinism, 1909-1939 “ Advisor: Roger Chickering
Scalenghe, Sara Middle East & North African History “ Being Different: Intersexuality, Blindness, Deafness, and Madness in Ottoman Syria “ Advisor: Judith Tucker
Snyder, Sarah B. US History “ The Helsinki Process, American Foreign Policy, and the End of the Cold War “ Advisor: Nancy B. Tucker
Stoneman, Mark R. Modern European History “ Wilhelm Groener, Officering, and the Schlieffen Plan “ Advisor: Roger Chickering
Uchimura, Kazuko US History “ Miners without Unions: Life and Work in West Virginia’s New River Gorge Mining Towns, 1900-1933 “ Advisor: Joseph McCartin
Zickafoose, Virginia Paige Russia & Eastern European History “ Virtuous Crown, Virtuous Res Publica: The Henrician Constitutional Declaration of Poland-Lithuania Interregnum, 1572-1574 “ Advisor: Andrzej Kaminksi Zimmers, Stefan Early Modern & Late Medieval European History “ Wisdom, Kingship, and Royal Identity: An Examination of the Discourse on Kinship and Rulership in the Anglo-Saxon Era “ Advisor: Jo Ann Moran Cruz
2005-2006
Belli, Meriam Middle East & North African History “ Remembrance of Nasserian Things Past: A Window to the History and Memory of the Nasser Years ” Advisors: John Voll and James Collins
Du Quenoy, Paul Russia & Eastern European History “ Harlequin’s Leap: Performing Arts Culture and the Revolution of 1905 in Saint Petersburg ” Advisor: Richard Stites
Foley, Sean E. Middle East & North African History “ Shaykh Khalid and the Naqshbandyya-Khalidiyya, 1776-2005 ” Advisor: John Voll
Joseph, Sabrina E. Middle East & North African History “ The Islamic Law on Tenancy and Sharecropping in Late Sixteenth- through Early Nineteenth-Century Syria ” Advisor: Judith Tucker
Khachaturian, Lisa Russia & Eastern European History “ Cultivating Nationhood in Imperial Russia: the Periodical Press and the Formation of a Modern Eastern Armenian Identity ” Advisor: Catherine Evtuhov
Martin, Kevin W. Middle East & North African History “ Enter the Future! Exemplars of Bourgeois Modernity in Post-World War II Syria ” Advisor: Judith Tucker
Merrow, Alexander C. Modern European History “ The Catholic Historical Discipline in Imperial Germany, 1876-1901 ” Advisor: Roger Chickering
Negroponte, Diana V. US History “ Conflict Resolution at the End of the Cold War ” Advisor: Nancy B. Tucker
Norman, York A. Middle East & North African History “ An Islamic City? Sarajevo’s Islamization and Economic Development, 1461-1604 ” Advisor: John Voll
Roedell, Christopher A. Modern Europe “ The Beasts That Perish: The Problem of Evil and the Contemplation of the Animal Kingdom in English Thought, c. 1660-1839 ” Advisor: Kathryn Olesko
Shearer, Valerie J. Early Modern & Late Medieval European History “ A Good Deed is Never Forgotten: Credit and Mutual Exchange in Seventeenth-Century France ” Advisor: James Collins
Vrtis, George H. US Environmental History “ The Front Range of the Rocky Mountains: An Environmental History, 1700-1900 ” Advisor: John McNeill
2004-2005
Andreassi, Anthony D. US History “ ‘Begun in Faith and Grit and God!’: The Sisters of the Divine Compassion, 1869-1954 “ Advisor: Emmett Curran
Ari-Chachaki, Waskar T. Latin American History “ Race and Subaltern Nationalism: The AMP Activist-Intellectuals in Bolivia, 1921-1964 “ Advisor: Erick Langer
Brooke, George Mercer III US History “ A Matter of Will: Sir Robert Thompson, Malaya, and the Failure of American Strategy in Vietnam “ Advisor: Nancy B. Tucker
De Bryun Kops, Henriette (Rahusen) Early Modern & Late Medieval European History “ Liquid Silver: The Wine and Brandy Trade between Rotterdam and Nantes in the First Half of the Seventeenth Century “ Advisor: James Collins
Rouland, Michael R. Russian & Eastern European History “ Music and the Making of the Kazak Nation, 1920-1936 “ Advisor: Richard Stites
2003-2004
Bryne, Daniel US History “ Adrift on a Sea of Sand: The Search for United States Foreign Policy Toward the Decolonization of Algeria, 1942-1962 “ Advisor: David Painter
Class, James N. Russia & Eastern European History “ Russian Messianism in the Napoleonic Wars “ Advisor: Catherine Evtuhov
Coventry, Michael T. US History “ ‘God, Country, Home and Mother’: Soldiers, Gender, and Nationalism in Great War America “ Advisor: Dorothy Brown
Drummond, Elizabeth A. Modern European History “ Protecting Poznania: Germans, Poles, and the Conflict Over National Identity, 1886-1914 “ Advisor: Roger Chickering
Goldyn, Bartholomew H. Russia & Eastern European History “ Cities for a New Poland: State Planning and Urban Control in the Building of Gdynia and Nowa Huta “ Advisor: Andrzej Kaminski
Hill, Brendan L. Early Modern & Late Medieval European History “ Puritans in the Public Sphere: The Societies for Reformation of Manners and the Continuity of Calvinism in Early Eighteenth Century England “ Advisor: Jo Ann Moran Cruz
Ivey, Linda L. US Environmental History “ Poetic Industrialism: Ethnicity, Environment and Commercial Horticulture in California’s Pajaro Valley, from the Progressive Era through the Great Depression “ Advisor: John McNeill
Linford, Rebecca R. Early Modern & Late Medieval European History “ The Women of the Quarter Sessions: A Study of Women’s Involvement in Crime in Lancashire County, 1590-1606 “ Advisor: Jo Ann Moran Cruz
Nichols-Busch, Tracy Russia & Eastern European History “ A Class on Wheels: Avtodor and the Automobilization of the Soviet Union 1927-1935 “ Advisor: Richard Stites
Schutts, Jeff Richard Modern European History “ Coca-Colonization, ‘Refreshing Americanization, or Nazi Volksgetrank’: The History of Coca-Cola in Germany, 1921-1961 “ Advisor: Roger Chickering
Zejmis, Jakub Russia & Eastern European History “ Belarus: Religion, Language and the Struggle for National Identity in a Soviet-Polish Borderland, 1921-1939 “ Advisor: Richard Stites
2002-2003
Abi-Mershed, Osama Middle East & North African History “ Domination by Consent: The Bureaux Arabes and Public Instruction in Colonial Algeria, 1831-1870 “ Advisor: John Ruedy
Belmonte, Monica L. US History “ Reining in Revolution: The United States Response to British Decolonization in Nigeria in an Era of Civil Rights, 1953-1960 “ Advisor: Nancy B. Tucker
Brewer, M. Jonah Early Modern & Late Medieval European History “ Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh: French Consuls and Commercial Diplomacy in the Ottoman Levant, 1660-1699 “ Advisor: James Collins
Caffrey, Patrick Joseph East & Central Asian Environmental History “ The Forests of Northeast China, 1600-1960: Environment, Politics, and Society “ Advisor: Carol A. Benedict
Davenport, Lisa E. US History “ Jazz, Race, and American Cultural Exchange: An International Study of U.S. Cultural Diplomacy, 1954-1968 “ Advisor: David Painter
DeLong-Bas, Natana J. Middle East & North African History “ Muhammed Ibn Abd al-Wahhab: An Intellectual Biography “ Advisor: John Voll
Dorsey, Jennifer H. US History “ Free People of Color in Rural Maryland, 1783-1832 “ Advisor: Alison Games
Ludes, James M. Modern European History “ A Consistency of Purpose: Political Warfare and the National Security Strategy of the Eisenhower Administration “ Advisor: Aviel Roshwald
Semerdjian, Elyse Middle East & North African History “ Off the Straight Path: Gender, Public Morality, and Legal Administration in Ottoman Aleppo, Syria “ Advisor: John Voll
Zalar, Jeffrey T. Modern European History “ Knowledge and Nationalism in Imperial Germany: A Cultural History of the Association of Saint Charles Borromeo, 1890-1914 “ Advisor: Roger Chickering
2001-2002
Abugideiri, Hibba E. Middle East & North African History “ Egyptian Women and the Science Question: Gender in the Making of Colonized Medicine, 1893-1929 “ Advisor: John Voll
Alvaro-Velcamp, Theresa Latin American History “ Peddling Identity: Arabs, Conflict, Community and the Mexican Nation in the Twentieth Century “ Advisor: John Tutino
Caplan, Gregory A. “ Wicked Sons, German Heroes: Jewish Soldiers, Veterans and Memories of World War I in Germany “ Advisor: Roger Chickering
Duggan, Michael F. US History “ Chauncey Wright and Forward-Looking Empiricism, a History of Ideas “ Advisor: Emmett Curran
Hamilton, Joanna Early Modern & Late Medieval European History “ The Merchants of Vannes: 1670-1730 “ Advisor: James Collins
Hoerle, Scott Modern European History “ Hans Friedrich Blunck: Poetry, Politics, and Propaganda, 1888-1961 “ Advisor: Roger Chickering
Janik, Elizabeth Koch Modern European History “ Music in Cold War Berlin: German Tradition and Allied Occupation, 1945-1951 “ Advisor: Roger Chickering
Law, Randall Russia & Eastern European History “ Humanity’s Workshops: Progressive Education in Russia and the Soviet Union, 1856-1927 “ Advisor: Richard Stites
McGillivray, Gillian Latin American History “ Blazing Cane: Sugar Communities, Power, and Politics in Cuba, 1868-1948 “ Advisor: John Tutino
McGinn, John US History “ Balancing Defense and Détente in NATO: The Harmel Framework and the 1968 Crisis in Czechoslovakia “ Advisor: David Painter Sampsell, Catherine M. U.S. History “ ‘To Grab a Hunk of Lightning’: An Intellectual History of American Depression-Era Photography “ Advisor: Emmett Curran
2000-2001
Carafano, James J. “ ‘Waltzing into the Cold War’: U.S. Army Military Operations in Occupied Austria “ Hill, Richard F. “ Pearl Harbor Month: Why the United States Went to War with Germany “ Jackson, Maurice “ ‘Ethiopia Shall Soon Stretch Out Her Hands Unto God’: Anthony Benezet and the Atlantic Anti-Slavery Revolution “ Skinner, Barbara J. “ The Empress and the Heretics: Catherine II’s Challenge to the Uniate Church, 1762-1796 “ Socolow, Michael J. “ To Network a Nation: N.B.C., C.B.S., and the Development of National Network Radio in the United States, 1925-1950 “ Taffet, Jeffrey A. “ Alliance for What?: U.S. Development Assistance in Chile During the 1960s “ Wall, Michael C. “ Chinese Reaction to the Portrayal of China and Chinese in American Motion Pictures prior to 1949 “
1999-2000
Brüggemann, Julia “ Through the Prism of Prostitution: State and Society in Hamburg, 1800-1914 “ Burch, Susan “ Biding the Time: American Deaf Cultural History, 1900 to World War II “ Cline, Ruth Harwood “ The Congregation of Tiron in the Twelfth Century: Foundation and Expansion “ Dale, Melissa S. “ With the Cut of a Knife: A Social History of Eunuchs During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and Republican Periods (1912-1949) “ Davis, Rebekah “ Development as a Tool of Diplomacy: The Domestic Models for U.S. Policy in the Jordan River Valley, 1939-1956 “ Heineman, Paul “ In Defense of an Anachronism: The Cossack Question on the Don, 1861-1914 “ Khalafallah, Haifaa “ Rethinking Islamic Law: Genesis and Evolution in the Islamic Legal Methods and Structures. The Case of a 20th Century ‘Alim’s Journey into His Legal Traditions. Muhammad Al-Ghazali (1917-1996) “ Pisiotis, Argyrios K. “ Orthodoxy Versus Autocracy: The Orthodox Church and Clerical Political Dissent in Late Imperial Russia, 1905-1914 “ Pujals, Sandra “ When Giants Walked the Earth: The Society of Former Political Prisoners and Exiles of the Soviet Union, 1921-1935 “ Reifowitz, Ian “ Civic Nationalism in a Multiethnic Society: Conceptions of a Supraethnic Austrian Identity, 1848-1918 “ Ritenour, Perry “ Chinese Banking and Foreign Trade (1949-1979) with a Focus on Guangdong “ Taylor, Karen “ Cher espoir de la nation sainte: The Maison Royale de Saint-Louis at Saint-Cyr “ Wiggers, Richard “ Creating International Humanitarian Law [IHL]: World War II, the Allied Occupations, and the Treaties that Followed “
1998-1999
Arpaia, Paul “ Luigi Federzoni and the Italian Nationalist Association: From a Cultural Conception of Italy to a Neo-Conservative Political Program “ Foehr, Sherry “ Modernization for the Honor of the Estate: Die Deutsche Landwirtschaftsgesellschaft, 1884-1914 “ Healy, Róisín “ The Jesuit as Enemy: Anti-Jesuitism and the Protestant Bourgeoisie of Imperial Germany, 1890-1917 “ Kawamura, S.J., Shinzo “ Making Christian Lay Communities During the ‘Christian Century’ in Japan — A Case Study of Takata District in Bungo “ Ke, Yan “ Scholars and Communications Network: Social and Intellectual Change in 17th-Century North China “ Jain, Asha “ Kumarapala Chaulukya (r. 1143-74) of Gujarat, India: A Convert to Jainism in Historical Perspective “ Vladimirov, Katya “ The World Of Imperial Provincial Bureaucracy, Russian Poland 1870-1904 “ Powers, Daniel “ All Roads Lead to Rome: French and German Christian Democrats, the Nation-State and the Reconstruction of Europe, 1945-1950 “ Qualls, Karl “ Raised From Ruins: Restoring Popular Allegiance Through City Planning in Sevastopol, 1944-1953 “ Slater, Joseph “ Down By Law: Public Sector Unions and the State in America, World War I to World War II “ Veidlinger, Jeffrey “ Soviet Politics on the Yiddish Stage: Moscow’s State Yiddish Theater, 1919-1949 “
1997-1998
Carpenter, Kim “ ‘Sechs Kreuzer sind genug für ein Bier!’ The Munich Beer Riot of 1844: Social Protest and Public Disorder in Mid-19th Century Bavaria “ Enriquez, Jonmikel “ Theodore White and the Remaking of Political Journalism “ Goedde, Celia J. “ The Artisan’s Approach to Modernity: The Political Culture of the German Artisans in Vienna and Augsburg “ Long, Loretta M. “ A Fellow Soldier in the Cause of Reformation: The Life of Selina Campbell “ Pendzich, Barbara “ The Burghers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania during the War of 1654-1667: Resiliency and Cohesion in the Face of Muscovite Annexation “ Phillips, Steven “ Restoration and Conquest: The Taiwanese Elite under Nationalist Chinese Rule, 1945-1950 “
Russell, Mona Lisa “ Creating the New Woman: Consumerism, Education, and National Identity in Egypt, 1863-1922 “
Scholz, Norbert “ Foreign Education and Indigenous Reaction in Late Ottoman Lebanon: Students & Teachers of the Syrian Protestant College in Beirut “ Tamari, Stephen “ Teaching and Learning in 18th-Century Damascus: Localism and Ottomanism in an Early Modern Arab Society “ Zehren, Maria “ The Dangling Scissors: Marriage, Family, and Work Among Italian Immigrant Women in the Clothing Industry in Baltimore, 1890-1920 “
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Sachiko Kusukawa
There are many ways of writing history and no fixed formula for a 'good' essay or dissertation. Before you start, you may find it helpful to have a look at some sample dissertations and essays from the past: ask at the Whipple Library.
Some people have a clear idea already of what they are going to write about; others find it more difficult to choose or focus on a topic. It may be obvious, but it is worth pointing out that you should choose a topic you find interesting and engaging. Ask a potential supervisor for a list of appropriate readings, chase up any further sources that look interesting or promising from the footnotes, or seek further help. Try to define your topic as specifically as possible as soon as possible. Sometimes, it helps to formulate a question (in the spirit of a Tripos question), which could then be developed, refined, or re-formulated. A good topic should allow you to engage closely with a primary source (text, image, object, etc.) and develop a historiographical point – e.g. adding to, or qualifying historians' current debates or received opinion on the topic. Specific controversies (either historically or historiographically) are often a great place to start looking. Many dissertations and essays turn out to be overambitious in scope, but underambition is a rare defect!
Both essays and dissertations have an introduction and a conclusion . Between the introduction and the conclusion there is an argument or narrative (or mixture of argument and narrative).
An introduction introduces your topic, giving reasons why it is interesting and anticipating (in order) the steps of your argument. Hence many find that it is a good idea to write the introduction last. A conclusion summarises your arguments and claims. This is also the place to draw out the implications of your claims; and remember that it is often appropriate to indicate in your conclusion further profitable lines of research, inquiry, speculation, etc.
An argument or narrative should be coherent and presented in order. Divide your text into paragraphs which make clear points. Paragraphs should be ordered so that they are easy to follow. Always give reasons for your assertions and assessments: simply stating that something or somebody is right or wrong does not constitute an argument. When you describe or narrate an event, spell out why it is important for your overall argument. Put in chapter or section headings whenever you make a major new step in your argument of narrative.
It is a very good idea to include relevant pictures and diagrams . These should be captioned, and their relevance should be fully explained. If images are taken from a source, this should be included in the captions or list of illustrations.
The extent to which it is appropriate to use direct quotations varies according to topic and approach. Always make it clear why each quotation is pertinent to your argument. If you quote from non-English sources say if the translation is your own; if it isn't give the source. At least in the case of primary sources include the original in a note if it is your own translation, or if the precise details of wording are important. Check your quotations for accuracy. If there is archaic spelling make sure it isn't eliminated by a spell-check. Don't use words without knowing what they mean.
An essay or a dissertation has three components: the main text , the notes , and the bibliography .
The main text is where you put in the substance of your argument, and is meant to be longer than the notes. For quotes from elsewhere, up to about thirty words, use quotation marks ("...", or '...'). If you quote anything longer, it is better to indent the whole quotation without quotation marks.
Notes may either be at the bottom of the page (footnotes) or at the end of the main text, but before the bibliography (endnotes). Use notes for references and other supplementary material which does not constitute the substance of your argument. Whenever you quote directly from other works, you must give the exact reference in your notes. A reference means the exact location in a book or article which you have read , so that others can find it also – it should include author, title of the book, place and date of publication, page number. (There are many different ways to refer to scholarly works: see below.) . If you cite a primary source from a secondary source and you yourself have not read or checked the primary source, you must acknowledge the secondary source from which the citation was taken. Whenever you paraphrase material from somebody else's work, you must acknowledge that fact. There is no excuse for plagiarism. It is important to note that generous and full acknowledgement of the work of others does not undermine your originality.
Your bibliography must contain all the books and articles you have referred to (do not include works that you did not use). It lists works alphabetically by the last name of the author. There are different conventions to set out a bibliography, but at the very least a bibliographic entry should include for a book the last name and initials/first name of the author, the title of the book in italics or underlined, and the place, (publisher optional) and date of publication; or, for an article, the last name and initials/first name of the author, the title in inverted commas, and the name of the journal in italics or underlined, followed by volume number, date of publication, and page numbers. Names of editors of volumes of collected articles and names of translators should also be included, whenever applicable.
- M. MacDonald, Mystical Bedlam: Madness, Anxiety, and Healing in Seventeenth-Century England , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1981.
- William Clark, 'Narratology and the History of Science', Studies in History and Philosophy of Science 26 (1995), 1–72.
- M. F. Burnyeat, 'The Sceptic in His Place and Time', in R. Rorty, J. B. Schneewind and Q. Skinner (eds), Philosophy in History , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984, pp. 225–54.
Alternatively, if you have many works to refer to, it may be easier to use an author-date system in notes, e.g.:
- MacDonald [1981], p. 89; Clark [1995a], p. 65; Clark [1995b], pp. 19–99.
In this case your bibliography should also start with the author-date, e.g.:
- MacDonald, Michael [1981], Mystical Bedlam: Madness, Anxiety, and Healing in Seventeenth-Century England , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Clark, William [1995a], 'Narratology and the History of Science', Studies in History and Philosophy of Science 26, 1–72.
This system has the advantage of making your foot- or endnotes shorter, and many choose it to save words (the bibliography is not included in the word limit). It is the system commonly used in scientific publications. Many feel however that something is historically amiss when you find in a footnote something like 'Plato [1996b]' or 'Locke [1975]'. In some fields of research there are standard systems of reference: you will find that this is the case if, for example, you write an essay/dissertation on classical history or philosophy of science. In such cases it is a good idea to take a standard secondary source as your model (e.g. in the case of classics, see G.E.R. Lloyd's The Revolutions of Wisdom: Studies in the Claims and Practices of Ancient Greek Science , Berkeley 1987).
Whatever system you decide to follow for your footnotes, what matters most is that the end-product is consistent.
Keep accurate records of all the relevant bibliographic information as you do your reading for your essay/dissertation. (If you don't you may waste days trying to trace references when you are close to submission deadlines.)
Consistency of style throughout the essay/dissertation is encouraged. There are many professional guides to thesis writing which give you more information on the style and format of theses – for example the MLS handbook (British) and the Chicago Manual of Style (American), both in the Whipple, and a booklet, H. Teitelbaum, How to Write a Thesis: A Guide to the Research Paper , 3rd ed., 126 pp., New York: Macmillan (& Arco), 1994 (in the UL: 1996.8.2620). But don't try to follow everything they say!
Every now and then you should read through a printout of your whole essay/dissertation, to ensure that your argument flows throughout the piece: otherwise there is a danger that your arguments become compartmentalised to the size of the screen. When reading drafts, ask yourself if it would be comprehensible to an intelligent reader who was not an expert on the specific topic.
It is imperative that you save your work on disk regularly – never be caught out without a back-up.
Before you submit:
- remember to run a spell-check (and remember that a spell check will not notice if you have written, for example, 'pheasant' instead of 'peasant', or, even trickier, 'for' instead of 'from', 'it' instead of 'is', etc.);
- prepare a table of contents, with titles for each chapter of your essay/dissertation, page numbers and all;
- prepare a cover page with the title, your name and college;
- prepare a page with the required statement about length, originality etc.
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How to Research and Write a Compelling History Thesis
The Importance of Research for Writing a History Thesis
Just as history is more than a collection of facts about past events, an effective history thesis goes beyond simply sharing recorded information. Writing a compelling history thesis requires making an argument about a historical fact and, then, researching and providing a well-crafted defense for that position.
With so many sources available—some of which may provide conflicting findings—how should a student research and write a history thesis? How can a student create a thesis that’s both compelling and supports a position that academic editors describe as “concise, contentious, and coherent”?
Key steps in how to write a history thesis include evaluating source materials, developing a strong thesis statement, and building historical knowledge.
Compelling theses provide context about historical events. This context, according to the reference website ThoughtCo., refers to the social, religious, economic, and political conditions during an occurrence that “enable us to interpret and analyze works or events of the past, or even the future, rather than merely judge them by contemporary standards”.
The context supports the main point of a thesis, called the thesis statement, by providing an interpretive and analytical framework of the facts, instead of simply stating them. Research uncovers the evidence necessary to make the case for that thesis statement.
To gather evidence that contributes to a deeper understanding of a given historical topic, students should reference both primary and secondary sources of research.
Primary Sources
Primary sources are firsthand accounts of events in history, according to Professor David Ulbrich, director of Norwich University’s online Master of Arts in History program. These sources provide information not only about what happened and how it happened but also why it happened.
Primary sources can include letters, diaries, photos, and videos as well as material objects such as “spent artillery shells, architectural features, cemetery headstones, chemical analysis of substances, shards of bowls or bottles, farming implements, or earth or environmental features or factors,” Ulbrich says. “The author of the thesis can tell how people lived, for example, by the ways they arranged their material lives.”
Primary research sources are the building blocks to help us better understand and appreciate history. It is critical to find as many primary sources from as many perspectives as possible. Researching these firsthand accounts can provide evidence that helps answer those “what”, “how”, and “why” questions about the past, Ulbrich says.
Secondary Sources
Secondary sources are materials—such as books, articles, essays, and documentaries—gathered and interpreted by other researchers. These sources often provide updates and evaluation of the thesis topic or viewpoints that support the theories presented in the thesis.
Primary and secondary sources are complementary types of research that form a convincing foundation for a thesis’ main points.
How to Write a History Thesis
What are the steps to write a history thesis? The process of developing a thesis that provides a thorough analysis of a historical event—and presents academically defensible arguments related to that analysis—includes the following:
1. Gather and Analyze Sources
When collecting sources to use in a thesis, students should analyze them to ensure they demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the materials. A student should evaluate the attributes of sources such as their origin and point-of-view.
An array of primary and secondary sources can help provide a thorough understanding of a historical event, although some of those sources may include conflicting views and details. In those cases, the American Historical Association says, it’s up to the thesis author to determine which source reflects the appropriate point-of-view.
2. Develop a Thesis Statement
To create a thesis statement, a student should establish a specific idea or theory that makes the main point about a historical event. Scribbr, an editing website, recommends starting with a working thesis, asking the question the thesis intends to answer, and, then, writing the answer.
The final version of a thesis statement might be argumentative, for example, taking a side in a debate. Or it might be expository, explaining a historical situation. In addition to being concise and coherent, a thesis statement should be contentious, meaning it requires evidence to support it.
3. Create an Outline
Developing a thesis requires an outline of the content that will support the thesis statement. Students should keep in mind the following key steps in creating their outline:
- Note major points.
- Categorize ideas supported by the theories.
- Arrange points according to the importance and a timeline of events addressed by the thesis.
- Create effective headings and subheadings.
- Format the outline.
4. Organize Information
Thesis authors should ensure their content follows a logical order. This may entail coding resource materials to help match them to the appropriate theories while organizing the information. A thesis typically contains the following elements.
- Abstract —Overview of the thesis.
- Introduction —Summary of the thesis’ main points.
- Literature review —Explanation of the gap in previous research addressed by this thesis.
- Methods —Outline how the author reviewed the research and why materials were selected.
- Results —Description of the research findings.
- Discussion —Analysis of the research.
- Conclusion —Statements about what the student learned.
5. Write the Thesis
Online writing guide Paperpile recommends that students start with the literature review when writing the thesis. Developing this section first will help the author gain a more complete understanding of the thesis’ source materials. Writing the abstract last can give the student a thorough picture of the work the abstract should describe.
The discussion portion of the thesis typically is the longest since it’s here that the writer will explain the limitations of the work, offer explanations of any unexpected results, and cite remaining questions about the topic.
In writing the thesis, the author should keep in mind that the document will require multiple changes and drafts—perhaps even new insights. A student should gather feedback from a professor and colleagues to ensure their thesis is clear and effective before finalizing the draft.
6. Prepare to Defend the Thesis
A committee will evaluate the student’s defense of the thesis’ theories. Students should prepare to defend their thesis by considering answers to questions posed by the committee. Additionally, students should develop a plan for addressing questions to which they may not have a ready answer, understanding the evaluation likely will consider how the author handles that challenge.
Developing Skills to Write a Compelling History Thesis
When looking for direction on how to write a history thesis, Norwich University’s online Master of Arts in History program can provide the needed skills and knowledge. The program’s tracks and several courses—taken as core classes or as electives in multiple concentrations—can provide a strong foundation for thesis work.
Master of Arts in History Tracks
In the Norwich online Master of Arts in History program, respected scholars help students improve their historical insight, research, writing, analytical, and presentation skills. They teach the following program tracks.
- Public History —Focuses on the preservation and interpretation of historic documents and artifacts for purposes of public observation.
- American History —Emphasizes the exploration and interpretation of key events associated with U.S. history.
- World History —Prepares students to develop an in-depth understanding of world history from various eras.
- Legal and Constitutional History —Provides a thorough study of the foundational legal and constitutional elements in the U.S. and Europe.
Master of Arts in History Courses
Norwich University’s online Master of Arts in History program enables students to customize studies based on career goals and personal interests through the following courses:
- Introduction to History and Historiography —Covers the core concepts of history-based study and research methodology, highlighting how these concepts are essential to developing an effective history thesis.
- Directed Readings in History —Highlights different ways to use sources that chronicle American history to assist in researching and writing a thorough and complete history thesis.
- Race, Gender, and U.S. Constitution —Explores key U.S. Supreme Court decisions relating to national race and gender relations and rights, providing a deeper context to develop compelling history theses.
- Archival Studies —Breaks down the importance of systematically overseeing archival materials, highlighting how to build historical context to better educate and engage with the public.
Start Your Path Toward Writing a Compelling History Thesis
For over two centuries, Norwich University has played a vital role in history as America’s first private military college and the birthplace of the ROTC. As such, the university is uniquely positioned to lead students through a comprehensive analysis of the major developments, events, and figures of the past.
Explore Norwich University’s online Master of Arts in History program. Start your path toward writing a compelling history thesis and taking your talents further.
Writing History: An Introductory Guide to How History Is Produced , American Historical Association How to Write a Thesis Statement , Scribbr The Importance of Historic Context in Analysis and Interpretation , ThoughtCo. 7 Reasons Why Research Is Important , Owlcation Primary and Secondary Sources , Scribbr Secondary Sources in Research , ThoughtCo. Analysis of Sources , History Skills Research Paper Outline , Scribbr How to Structure a Thesis , Paperpile Writing Your Final Draft , History Skills How to Prepare an Excellent Thesis Defense , Paperpile
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History Masters Theses Collection
This collection contains open access and campus access Masters theses, made possible through Graduate Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The full content of open access theses is available to all, although some files may have embargoes placed on them and will be made available as soon as possible. The full content of campus access theses is only available to those either on the UMass Boston campus or with a UMass Boston campus username and password. Click on the "Off-Campus UMass Boston Users" link on the record page to download Campus Access publications. Those not on campus and those without a UMass Boston campus username and password may gain access to this thesis through resources like Proquest Dissertations & Theses Global or through Interlibrary Loan.
Theses from 2024 2024
A Quartet of Consequence: Randolph, Rustin, Baker & Levison & The Movement They Made , Jonathan Klein
Theses from 2023 2023
Margaret Cross Norton in Context: Norton’s Portrayal in American Archival Theory, the Social Conditions of Her Time and the Evolution of Presidential Libraries in the United States , Marie H. Bowen
Culture Wars: North Carolina, Representation, and the Vote on the Federal Constitution of 1787 , Maria A. Carlson
George Boardman Weston's Grand Tour: Travel Writing and its Impact on Nineteenth-Century Americans , Joshua Tyler Clark
“Each Heart Alone Knoweth Its Own Bitterness”: The Jackson Family in Clarke County, Virginia, from Enslavement to Jim Crow , Melanie E. Garvey
Deconstructing Reconstruction: The Portrayal of The Reconstruction Era in High School History Textbooks , Eleanor Katari
Radical Routes: The Formation of the Boston School Bus Drivers Union Local 8751 , Maci Mark
Limitations & Liberation: Republican Motherhood and Female Advancement in Nineteenth Century America , Hannah Russell
The Armenian Genocide as Presented by the American Press , Grace A. Wargovich
Theses from 2022 2022
Northeastern Pennsylvania's Forgotten Labor Massacre: Analysis pf the English Language Record of the Lattimer Massacre , Jamie C. Costello
Shadow of the Vietnam War on the Senate Persian Gulf Debate of 1991 , Austin DiBari
Popular Memory, Silence, and Trust: A Mother and Son’s Relationship to School in the Shadow of the Prince Edward County Closures , Rory S. Dunn
The Arrows, The Shield: Mapping, Identity, and Tradition in Colonial Cempoala, Mexico , Savvas Papadopoulos
The Unsung Influence of the National Day of Mourning: A Study of Indigenous Activism, Race, and Memory , Erika T. Tauer
The Role of the Catholic Church’s Teachings on Slavery and Secession Affecting Allegiances During the American Civil War , David J. Thompson
Theses from 2021 2021
Celebrating Chinese American Veterans: Commemoration and America's Collective Memory Of War , Kevin Lee
Community in a Time of Crisis: How the People of Provincetown, Massachusetts Worked to Combat the HIV/AIDS Epidemic , Danielle Maria Lisbon
Uncommon Ground: Pawtucket-Pennacook Strategic Land Exchange in Native Spaces and Colonized Places of Essex County and Massachusetts Bay in the Seventeenth Century , Kristine Malpica
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How to Choose a Dissertation Topic | 8 Steps to Follow
Published on November 11, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 20, 2023.
Choosing your dissertation topic is the first step in making sure your research goes as smoothly as possible. When choosing a topic, it’s important to consider:
- Your institution and department’s requirements
- Your areas of knowledge and interest
- The scientific, social, or practical relevance
- The availability of data and resources
- The timeframe of your dissertation
- The relevance of your topic
You can follow these steps to begin narrowing down your ideas.
Table of contents
Step 1: check the requirements, step 2: choose a broad field of research, step 3: look for books and articles, step 4: find a niche, step 5: consider the type of research, step 6: determine the relevance, step 7: make sure it’s plausible, step 8: get your topic approved, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about dissertation topics.
The very first step is to check your program’s requirements. This determines the scope of what it is possible for you to research.
- Is there a minimum and maximum word count?
- When is the deadline?
- Should the research have an academic or a professional orientation?
- Are there any methodological conditions? Do you have to conduct fieldwork, or use specific types of sources?
Some programs have stricter requirements than others. You might be given nothing more than a word count and a deadline, or you might have a restricted list of topics and approaches to choose from. If in doubt about what is expected of you, always ask your supervisor or department coordinator.
Start by thinking about your areas of interest within the subject you’re studying. Examples of broad ideas include:
- Twentieth-century literature
- Economic history
- Health policy
To get a more specific sense of the current state of research on your potential topic, skim through a few recent issues of the top journals in your field. Be sure to check out their most-cited articles in particular. For inspiration, you can also search Google Scholar , subject-specific databases , and your university library’s resources.
As you read, note down any specific ideas that interest you and make a shortlist of possible topics. If you’ve written other papers, such as a 3rd-year paper or a conference paper, consider how those topics can be broadened into a dissertation.
After doing some initial reading, it’s time to start narrowing down options for your potential topic. This can be a gradual process, and should get more and more specific as you go. For example, from the ideas above, you might narrow it down like this:
- Twentieth-century literature Twentieth-century Irish literature Post-war Irish poetry
- Economic history European economic history German labor union history
- Health policy Reproductive health policy Reproductive rights in South America
All of these topics are still broad enough that you’ll find a huge amount of books and articles about them. Try to find a specific niche where you can make your mark, such as: something not many people have researched yet, a question that’s still being debated, or a very current practical issue.
At this stage, make sure you have a few backup ideas — there’s still time to change your focus. If your topic doesn’t make it through the next few steps, you can try a different one. Later, you will narrow your focus down even more in your problem statement and research questions .
There are many different types of research , so at this stage, it’s a good idea to start thinking about what kind of approach you’ll take to your topic. Will you mainly focus on:
- Collecting original data (e.g., experimental or field research)?
- Analyzing existing data (e.g., national statistics, public records, or archives)?
- Interpreting cultural objects (e.g., novels, films, or paintings)?
- Comparing scholarly approaches (e.g., theories, methods, or interpretations)?
Many dissertations will combine more than one of these. Sometimes the type of research is obvious: if your topic is post-war Irish poetry, you will probably mainly be interpreting poems. But in other cases, there are several possible approaches. If your topic is reproductive rights in South America, you could analyze public policy documents and media coverage, or you could gather original data through interviews and surveys .
You don’t have to finalize your research design and methods yet, but the type of research will influence which aspects of the topic it’s possible to address, so it’s wise to consider this as you narrow down your ideas.
It’s important that your topic is interesting to you, but you’ll also have to make sure it’s academically, socially or practically relevant to your field.
- Academic relevance means that the research can fill a gap in knowledge or contribute to a scholarly debate in your field.
- Social relevance means that the research can advance our understanding of society and inform social change.
- Practical relevance means that the research can be applied to solve concrete problems or improve real-life processes.
The easiest way to make sure your research is relevant is to choose a topic that is clearly connected to current issues or debates, either in society at large or in your academic discipline. The relevance must be clearly stated when you define your research problem .
Before you make a final decision on your topic, consider again the length of your dissertation, the timeframe in which you have to complete it, and the practicalities of conducting the research.
Will you have enough time to read all the most important academic literature on this topic? If there’s too much information to tackle, consider narrowing your focus even more.
Will you be able to find enough sources or gather enough data to fulfil the requirements of the dissertation? If you think you might struggle to find information, consider broadening or shifting your focus.
Do you have to go to a specific location to gather data on the topic? Make sure that you have enough funding and practical access.
Last but not least, will the topic hold your interest for the length of the research process? To stay motivated, it’s important to choose something you’re enthusiastic about!
Most programmes will require you to submit a brief description of your topic, called a research prospectus or proposal .
Remember, if you discover that your topic is not as strong as you thought it was, it’s usually acceptable to change your mind and switch focus early in the dissertation process. Just make sure you have enough time to start on a new topic, and always check with your supervisor or department.
If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.
Methodology
- Sampling methods
- Simple random sampling
- Stratified sampling
- Cluster sampling
- Likert scales
- Reproducibility
Statistics
- Null hypothesis
- Statistical power
- Probability distribution
- Effect size
- Poisson distribution
Research bias
- Optimism bias
- Cognitive bias
- Implicit bias
- Hawthorne effect
- Anchoring bias
- Explicit bias
Formulating a main research question can be a difficult task. Overall, your question should contribute to solving the problem that you have defined in your problem statement .
However, it should also fulfill criteria in three main areas:
- Researchability
- Feasibility and specificity
- Relevance and originality
All research questions should be:
- Focused on a single problem or issue
- Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources
- Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
- Specific enough to answer thoroughly
- Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis
- Relevant to your field of study and/or society more broadly
You can assess information and arguments critically by asking certain questions about the source. You can use the CRAAP test , focusing on the currency , relevance , authority , accuracy , and purpose of a source of information.
Ask questions such as:
- Who is the author? Are they an expert?
- Why did the author publish it? What is their motivation?
- How do they make their argument? Is it backed up by evidence?
A dissertation prospectus or proposal describes what or who you plan to research for your dissertation. It delves into why, when, where, and how you will do your research, as well as helps you choose a type of research to pursue. You should also determine whether you plan to pursue qualitative or quantitative methods and what your research design will look like.
It should outline all of the decisions you have taken about your project, from your dissertation topic to your hypotheses and research objectives , ready to be approved by your supervisor or committee.
Note that some departments require a defense component, where you present your prospectus to your committee orally.
The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.
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McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, November 20). How to Choose a Dissertation Topic | 8 Steps to Follow. Scribbr. Retrieved September 27, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/dissertation-topic/
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European history, 1500–1750.
I am available to supervise a range of topics in the history of early modern Europe, early modern sciences, technology, and medicine, from around 1500 to 1750. I am open to discussing topics with students and welcome student use of primary sources in foreign languages, especially in Dutch, French, Italian, Polish, Spanish, German, and Latin.
Postgraduate students at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington have access to a wide variety of primary sources and documents. The Alexander Turnbull Library holds a rare books collection rich in materials on Europe’s early sciences. Collection highlights include publications of the Royal Society of London, including Robert Hooke’s pioneering work on microscopy, Micrographia , and his Posthumous Works ; John Flamsteed's celestial atlas; and Book Three of Isaac Newton's Principia .
The University's Library has a number of modern scholarly editions of early modern texts. These include works by Francis Bacon, Robert Boyle, John Evelyn, John Aubrey, Margaret Cavendish, and Richard Bentley, among others. The Library also houses all issues of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London.
Online databases include Early English Books Online, Eighteenth Century Collections Online, Burney Collection of Seventeenth-Eighteenth Century Newspapers. Digital projects—such as Mapping the Republic of Letters, Newton Project, and Perdita Manuscripts of Women Writers, 1500–1700—offer access to manuscript and printed sources.
Potential topics
History of medicine, 1500–1750
- Early studies of mental health and medicine, or ‘diseases of the soul’
- Social responses to animal vivisections and experimentation
- Medicine, domestic science and women's recipe books
- Representations of quack doctors in the 17th and 18th centuries
- Comparison of seventeenth and eighteenth century botanical collections
History of science, 1500–1750
- Controversies, priority disputes, and public debates in natural philosophy
- Newtonian sciences and their many afterlives
- The Royal Society of London in satires
- Studies of earthquakes in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries
- Evolving practices of observation and experiment
Early modern Europe, 1500–1750
- The early modern diplomat's tradecraft
- Aspects of urbanisation, pollution, and politics
- Seventeenth-century pedagogy and education reforms
- The art of physiognomy and ‘books of complexions’ in the 16th century
- Cultural responses to the introduction of new spices and substances
See Catherine Abou-Nemeh’s profile page .
Steve Behrendt
British atlantic maritime history, 1650–1850.
Topics concerning British Atlantic maritime history in the period 1650–1850, based on analysis of sources contained in online book collections (such as Early English Books Online, Eighteenth Century Collections Online, Making of the Modern World), rare books and microfilms held at the Alexander Turnbull Library, ship registers, newspapers, trade lists, colonial records, ships’ muster rolls and parliamentary papers from the Houses of Commons and Lords.
- Particular maritime businesses (for example, the slave trade, the sugar trade, or whaling)
- Interconnections between maritime commerce and the Navy
- Medical history, or the development of ports in the Atlantic world.
The University holds the largest collection of slave trade-related materials in Australasia.
See Steve Behrendt’s profile page .
Kate Hunter
Aspects of social and cultural history of world war i.
There are a great many photographs, official records, and personal papers of soldiers, nurses, and families affected by war in Wellington repositories that could form the basis of a postgraduate thesis. Theoretical considerations and frameworks could include:
- Manliness, femininity, ideas/representation of the body during World War I
- Remembrance and commemoration, educating children about the war during the interwar years
- Changing attitudes around death and dying, grieving, and bereavement
- The experience of and changes in rural communities during the war, especially the manifestations of modernity.
- A comparison of Kai Tiaki (journal of NZ nursing) and the Gazette of the British First-Aid Nursing Yeomanry (available through 'Women, Work and Society, 1914–18' database held at the Library) and/or the Royal Nursing Journal (UK) now fully digitised
- A comparison of British, New Zealand, and Australian women’s adventure writings about their war experiences as published in women’s magazines, journals, and school journals
- Using the Dorothy Neal White collection of children's literature (at National Library), examining aspects of juvenile fiction before and after the war; perhaps in combination with the children's columns/pages in various newspapers
- An exploration of domestic sewing, and the role of sewing in providing ‘comfort’ to soldiers, especially to wounded soldiers (and/or pre-war sewing for families if you wish). Whole hospitals were fitted out with bed linen and pyjamas for patients through the efforts of sewing women
- Aspects of culinary history. Cooking, butchery and dressing, domestic service, home economics education, kitchen design, cookbooks as sources, account books, diaries, advice columns, and so on
- Aspects of environmental and gardening history and other transformations of the landscape through burning, ploughing and planting (using magazines and gardening literature eg New Zealand Gardener which began in 1947 or Brett's Colonists' Guide, farming newspapers, diaries, personal papers, photographs: entering 'gardening' as a subject in Tapuhi reveals a great number of 19th and 20th century records from gardening diaries, clippings and scrap-books to ledgers from seed companies—all rich source material)
- Other topics in this area that deserve more scholarly attention include fishing (both commercial and recreational, sea or freshwater) in New Zealand and hunting. A comparison of conservation and wildlife policies of settler colonies, particularly Canada and New Zealand, also New Zealand hunters’ and fishers’ visits to other countries such as Africa, Australia and India, all lend themselves to rich thesis topics.
See Kate Hunter’s profile page .
Dolores Janiewski
Potential topics—19th century.
- Debate over slavery, 1830–1865
- the Media and Literary construction of ‘race’ in US History, 1830s–1900s
- US Civil War. soldiers’ experience, the home front, gender and civil war, slavery and civil war racial violence, 1865–1900
- lynching; Ku Klux Klan; disfranchisement and segregation, 1890–1900
- Women’s rights and woman suffrage, 1848–1920
- US Empire and the Pacific, 1820–1900, Hawaii, Sāmoa; frontier conflicts
- Wounded Knee and the end of the ‘Indian Wars’, 1880s–1890s
- Comparisons between New Zealand and the US West.
Potential topics—20th century
- The Better America Federation and anti-Communism in the 1920s US
- Cold War US culture, foreign policy; involvement in Vietnam
- SEATO treaty, 1954–1975
- Détente and its enemies; Civil Rights movement, 1954–1965
- Second wave feminism, 1967–1982
- The religious right as transnational network, 1940–2007
- Conservative movements in US History, 1934–2005
- Conservatism and US Foreign Policy, 1934–2004
- Gender and US literature, 1830–1900
- Race and US literature, 1830–1900
- Advertising and US culture, 1870–1940
- Political cartoons and US politics, 1830–1870s
- Sexuality and US politics, 1830–1870s
- The debate over empire and anti-imperialism in the US, 1870–2007
- Religious Right: New Zealand–US connections, 1970s–2005
- Freedom Summer, 1964
- The US–New Zealand peace and anti-nuclear movements.
See Dolores Janiewski’s profile page .
Charlotte Macdonald
I am available to supervise in a range of topics in New Zealand History, histories of empire and colony in the 19th century, and histories of gender and women.
- Aspects of the 19th-century garrison world. Looking beyond the military to the wider ambit of garrison life across the British Empire. Topics might include disease, consumption, trade, surgeons, garrison towns, garrison masculinity, sites and memories, and much more.
- Domestic service and colonial labour. Exploring the value of labour in settler colonies. The enigma of the New Zealand story.
- 20th-century protest and dissent. The Alexander Turnbull Library contains a rich Ephemera collection of posters, pamphlets, manifestoes.
- Print culture: this is a rich and growing area linking writing and reading with politics and culture. There are many angles to explore in the New Zealand setting where reading and writing has been at the centre of national life for over 200 years.
- Ngā Taonga Archives of Film, Sound, and Television offers many options for projects that take up the life of these powerful media as histories and in history. Ngā Taonga is located in Wellington.
- An aspect of the history of radio in New Zealand focusing on broadcaster–audience relations, sports broadcasting, or the history of radio 'soap' series. Existing cultural histories of radio in Australia and the US alongside Patrick Day's two-volume history of broadcasting in New Zealand provide a foundation in secondary sources.
- The sporting press in New Zealand and Australia. Little work has been done on the extensive sporting press which developed in Australasia from the 1880s. Titles ranged widely, often combining gentlemen's illustrated magazines with sporting reports, licensed victuallers' papers with sporting titles, racing, and other sporting coverage. As the daily press took up sports reporting the weekly press responded with new and different titles. Through the 20th century, sporting coverage continued to be an innovative area for publication, with motoring and radio-related titles appearing in the 1920s and lavish photographic weeklies enjoying popularity in the post-World War II years. Another angle would be to look at the sporting pages within the major daily and weekly newspapers, charting their place within the commercial and political world of print culture. Rich sources exist for a variety of thesis projects at MA or PhD level.
- Drinking and playing. A study examining the long relationship between alcohol and competitive and recreational sport. To what extent has New Zealand's sporting culture relied on alcohol? This could be framed around a particular time period, event, sporting activity, or set of recreational institutions (pubs as well as playing fields).
- Lost Cases. Horse stealing, 'unnatural offences', petty theft, libel, murder, concealment of birth, and other matters of dispute: a study using the sources identified in the 'Lost Cases' database of legal cases heard in New Zealand's Supreme Court, 1842–1883 (there are a number of possible angles and areas of focus though the broad field is one of the conjunction of law and history). See New Zealand's Lost Cases as a starting point.
- 19th-century negotiator, politician, and administrator Donald McLean (1820–1877) left a huge quantity of correspondence and papers, now a major collection in the Alexander Turnbull Library's manuscript collection . These have been digitised, a portion transcribed, and those written in Māori translated. A thesis would draw on a selection of these documents to investigate an aspect of New Zealand's history from the 1840s to the 1870s. See also the entry on McLean in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (DNZB on teara.govt.nz) and Ray Fargher, The best man who ever served the Crown? A life of Donald McLean , Wellington, 2007.
See Charlotte Macdonald’s profile page .
Alexander Maxwell
The habsburg, romanov, soviet, and ottoman empires.
East European Empires offer many interesting research topics, including ethnic tensions in a multi-ethnic state, the modernisation of peasant societies, struggles for democratisation or socialism, or the question of dynastic loyalties.
Students could address such questions either from the perspective of the imperial courts in Istanbul, Vienna, Moscow, or St Petersburg, or from the perspective of a specific national community: Russian, German, Turkish, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Serbian, Croatian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Bulgarian, Greek, Armenian, and so on.
Extensive sources are available online for several of these topics. While I am particularly skilled in Slovak, Hungarian, and Macedonian history, I am interested in supervising topics anywhere in Eastern Europe.
Theories of nationalism
The study of nationalism poses many theoretical problems, and can be approached from many different angles. Nationalism has an intellectual history, but also a social and organisational history.
Students may wish to study the spread of nationalist feeling, the relationship of patriotic intelligentsias to the people they claim to lead, the relationship between national ideology and patriotic action, or the social and gender composition of national movements.
I have special expertise in the relationship between nationalism and linguistic loyalties, corporeal practices, consumption habits, and clothing, but am willing to supervise topics investigating other aspects of nationalism.
Social and gender history during the long 19th century
Some of the most exciting historical research occurs in the field of gender studies. My research on nationalism and clothing, as well as nationalised sexuality, make me eager to work with students looking at the relationship between gender identities and other social variables.
The University's Library and the Turnbull Library together have rich resources on Anglophone social history. Sources include the Ladies' Cabinet of Fashion, Music, and Romance (first published in 1832), the Child's Own Magazine (1832–1871), Leisure Hour (1852–1905), Boy's Own Paper (1876–1967), Gentlewoman (1898–1920), and the Girls' Empire: An annual volume for English-speaking girls (1902–04) all offer rich pickings for political analyses of gender and society.
Eastern Europe during and after Communism
The Soviet Union and its empire in Eastern Europe attracted considerable attention during the Cold War, but the collapse of Communism has created a new discipline of 'transition studies'. Students may wish to examine political or social aspects of the transition, ethnic or ideological tensions in the newly independent states, or cultural developments in this vibrant and exiting region of the world. Post-Communist states have been very active in creating online repositories and archives, and considerable resources are also available in English.
East European diasporas in New Zealand
Students interested in the relationship between immigrant communities and the 'old country' may wish to examine East European ethnicities. Turnbull library has copies of the Czechoslovak émigré newspaper Střípky Čriepky, the Polish émigré papers Solidarność na Antypodach (1985) and Krzyż południa (1990) and the Hungarian papers Ujzélandi Magyar híradó (started in 1958) and Magyar szó (1990).
A student taking an interest in one of these communities could even bypass the language barrier through the techniques of oral history, and Krzyż południa has also published articles in English. While my own research primarily concerns European history, the resources of the Antipodean East European Study Group might benefit students interested in this region.
See Alexander Maxwell’s profile page .
Jim McAloon
Potential topics in new zealand history.
- New Zealand regional history, especially 19th century
- Histories of business in New Zealand (including farming)
- Labour history, including histories of unions, of work, and of workplace cultures
- Political history, including policy issues, parliamentarians and political parties, and also extra-parliamentary political movements. Comparative approaches are welcomed
- Migration from Britain and Ireland to New Zealand, particularly with a regional focus.
See Jim McAloon’s profile page .
Adrian Muckle
19th-century travel (and travellers’ accounts) in the pacific.
The Turnbull Library has extensive holdings.
Pacific Islands’ history post-1942/Aspects of decolonisation in the Pacific
This is emerging as an important area of research. Possible topics include: Wartime thinking about future political statuses; regionalism; social and political developments in the post-war era (the 1940s to 1960s) and prior to independence. Quite a lot of research has been done about the political and legal dimensions of decolonisation, but not so much has been done about the social, cultural, and economic dimensions of this process.
New Zealand–Pacific relations and regionalism
Possible topics include: New Zealand's relations with particular Pacific Island territories and states; New Zealand and the development Pacific regionalism post-1945; New Zealand's involvement in the Institute of Pacific Relations (See Beaglehole Room archives re IPR and NZIIA); Important connections are also provided by trade/labour union connections; media, health organisations, and churches.
The Pacific war
This is an area of growing public interest. There is work that could be done on the experiences of New Zealanders in the Pacific during World War II; and the literature (and other media) associated with the war in the Pacific.
New Caledonia and French Polynesia
Students with French language skills may be interested in topics relating to New Caledonia and French Polynesia. Possible sources/areas of study include: Catholic mission records up to c1956 (for example, missionary responses to World War I or World War II in New Caledonia and the development of particular mission stations); New Caledonian historiography (for example, a study of the Bulletin de la Société d'Études Historiques de la Nouvelle-Calédonie ); history and literature (depending on published sources available at the Turnbull Library); relations between New Zealand and New Caledonia or French Polynesia (for example, during the 1980s); New Zealand's response to the Kanak independence movement.
Historiography
There is a need for critical (and comparative) historiographies of Pacific island nations (for example, Sāmoa, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, French Polynesia).
Other topics
War histories.
Two kinds of study might be thought of under this heading—studies of official war histories taking advantage of the recent digitisation of the complete Official History of New Zealand in World War II series; studies of either WWI or WWII personal letters and diaries given the large collection at the ATL, and the possibility of setting these alongside the growing body of oral history on WWII (and some of WWI).
Historical geography
The geography of the 1913 strike in Wellington—where did activity take place, was it geographically specific, or dispersed? 'When we looked at the Waihi strike for the atlas, we found that strikers and strikebreakers were completely mixed up in terms of where they lived. The strikebreakers were not 'outsiders'. Wellington would be different of course—but how much?' Malcolm McKinnon, editor, New Zealand Historical Atlas , 1997.
Histories of suburbs
There is a good secondary literature on suburbanisation in the library. It could be applied to any Wellington suburb/cluster of streets, in a particular period. Adrian Humphris's geography MA on Kilbirnie suggests some ways of approaching it. (He is currently working as an archivist at WCC archives.)
Consumption
History of milkbars, cinemas, department stores.
See Adrian Muckle’s profile page .
Collections as a starting point for topics
The University Library is acquiring additional collections of direct value to postgraduate research in History. See, for example:
- British Parliamentary Papers on line
- Early English Books on line (EEBO)
- Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO)
- Women, War and Society, 1914–1918, from collections of the Imperial War Museum, London.
- Empire On-Line
- Defining Gender
- Recent purchases of Adam Matthew microfilms
- Alexander Turnbull Library. The Turnbull library holds copies of several major collections of microfilmed materials relating to the Pacific, notably the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau (PMB) microfilm series. PMB indexes are available at the Victoria University of Wellington Library and online.
The number of digital collections is also growing. Recently the following have become available:
- Te Ao Hou - the complete collection of Te Ao Hou the Māori Affairs magazine from 1952 to 1976
- Te Ara - the new New Zealand Encyclopedia.
The National Register of Archives and Manuscripts (NRAM) provide a listing of archives and manuscripts in many of the major New Zealand research repositories.
The following are all to be found in the JC Beaglehole Room Special Collection, Victoria University of Wellington Library:
- Springbok Tour archives. The 20-year restriction ended in 2001, so there are now only Privacy Act implications to using this material. Tapes would need to be copied and some might need restoration, but there are transcripts. The papers of Lindsay Wright are related.
- Wellington Investment and Trustee Association papers 1886–1968. This is an excellent source. It is long-running and has a name index to the Investors' Ledger. The papers were literally rescued from going to the tip. One researcher has used them so far.
- Kelburne and Karori Tramway Company Ltd and Kelburne-Karori Motor Bus Company
- Papers of Angus McCurdy - Originally collected by Les Cleveland for a study of McCurdy as a lobbyist and this angle might appeal to someone.
- Many pamphlets and some MSS. material for Sir Robert Stout.
- Papers of Geoffrey Joseph Schmitt re Tasman Pulp and Paper etc. Geoffrey Schmitt (1921-2000), later Emeritus Professor of Economics at Waikato University, was employed by Tasman Pulp and Paper Company Limited from 22 August 1953 to 31 December 1967, first as Secretary, later as General Manager, and from June 1963 as Managing Director. 23 bundles of papers originally deposited per Gary Hawke, plus 'Tasman: Early years of Tasman Pulp and Paper Company Limited: a personal history' and further papers deposited later.
- NZ Institute of International Affairs
- NZ Institute of Architects records 1906–1967 (later records are in Auckland)
- Student drama—'Extravaganza' scripts from the 1940s and so on. Other student records: NZUSA (NZ Universities Students Assoc.) and VUWSA, NZ Student Arts Council posters, various Victoria University of Wellington clubs, for example the caving club, the Biological Society, the Anglican Society, Debating Club.
- New Zealand Library School Students Association records
- Graduates’ Association (University of New Zealand). The stated objects of the Association were to further the interests of University Education in New Zealand and to promote friendly intercourse among the students and graduates of the University. 1885–1892 (that is, pre-VUC). 'A meeting of graduates of the New Zealand University was held in the Congregational schoolroom, on the invitation of the Revd W H West BA LLB, on Thursday June 18th 1885. The graduates present were Rev. W H West BA, LLB, PS Hay MA, HB Kirk MA, JC Webb BA, W P Evans MA, JT Barnicoat BA, TR Fleming BA
- Imperial Universities' Rifle Match Committee records 1945–1967
- In the architectural history field, the Architecture and Design School Library holds papers and plans and so on from Gray Young architects.
Contact the librarian in the J C Beaglehole Room.
Department of History
Dissertations.
Since 2009, we have published the best of the annual dissertations produced by our final year undergraduates and award a 'best dissertation of the year' prize to the best of the best.
- Best Dissertations of 2022
- Best Dissertations of 2021
- Best Dissertations of 2020
- Best Dissertations of 2019
- Best Dissertations of 2018
- Best Dissertations of 2017
- Best Dissertations of 2016
- Best Dissertations of 2015
- Best Dissertations of 2014
- Best Dissertations of 2013
- Best Dissertations of 2012
- Best Dissertations of 2011
- Best Dissertations of 2010
- B est Dissertations of 2009
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- Researching your dissertation
When it comes to thinking about dissertations, it's useful to know how and where to look for material, both within Cambridge and further afield. The following is some guidance on finding various different types of material, whether primary or secondary.
Finding books in Cambridge
Finding books outside cambridge, finding articles.
- Unpublished material
Online sources
Subject gateways.
For further help our LibGuide has lots of information about how to carry out research in History.
Finding secondary material
The best place to begin looking for secondary material is a specialist bibliographical database covering your area of interest, eg. the Bibliography of British and Irish History . Teaching staff will be able to advise on what databases there are in your subject area. There may not be a specialist database covering your topic, in which case a more general literature search may be the best way to begin. Literature searches may also help you to find supplementary material, and to identify what is available within Cambridge.
Literature searches will help you to identify a viable topic of research, or a new angle from which to approach a subject, and they will also ensure that you do not duplicate work in progress. You will need to be compiling lists of material to consult at the same time as taking organised notes and writing; you should not wait to complete the reading before beginning to write.
For searching across library catalogues in Cambridge, use iDiscover ; as well as searching library holdings it also retrieves records for ejournals and ebooks, and can be extended to search databases such as JSTOR . You can also turn searches into RSS feeds (for alerts when any relevant items are added to the catalogue).
The University's ebooks@cambridge team subscribe to thousands of ebook titles, including key resources such as the Cambridge Histories and Cambridge Companions. These are searchable through iDiscover; if there is an electronic copy of the book you are looking for, it will have the phrase "[electronic resource]" in the record after the title, and you can follow the link in the record directly through to the text. Ebooks are easy to use, can be accessed from home and can normally have several users accessing the text simultaneously, so access is almost always available.
You may need to extend your search beyond Cambridge, to see if there is material available elsewhere which is not held by any of the libraries in the university. Library Hub Discover is the best way for finding material held in libraries in the United Kingdom; it is the combined catalogue of the UK's major research libraries (including the British Library, National Library of Scotland and National Library of Wales), as well as various specialist research libraries and collections. The catalogue contains over 32 million records. It is possible to search by subject, author, title or keyword, and you can restrict your search by date, place published, type of material (eg. periodicals, maps), or language. Search results will display where an item is held, and provide links to an electronic copy, if there is a freely available one.
The Document Delivery Service is available to help support students access difficult to locate material. This includes Inter-Library loan and Rapid Inter-Library loan.
If you are working away from Cambridge (for example, during the vacation), you may be able to get access to other higher education libraries in your area; visit SCONUL Access for more information.
For catalogues of libraries outside the United Kingdom try WorldCat , a catalogue of over 10,000 libraries, which indexes 1.5 billion items.
You will need to look at journal articles as well as books, as journals are often where the latest, most up-to-date historical research is published. There are several citation databases which you can search for articles which might be relevant to your topic. As well as general historical databases, there are also more specialised ones, covering various regions, periods and topics. (Most of these will require a Raven password for off-campus access.) To search across the full range of electronic journals Cambridge subscribes to go to the ejournals@cambridge page. It is also possible to search across popular databases for article titles (as opposed to journal titles) on iDiscover.
Key general databases
- Historical Abstracts: This covers the history of the world from 1450 to the present (excluding the United States and Canada). Published since 1954, it indexes over 3,100 academic historical journals in more than 40 languages; thousands of new citations are added every year.
- Scopus: This database is by far the largest citation database available to members of the University. It covers a range of disciplines and includes information about where articles have been cited.
Digital journal archives
- JSTOR: A digital archive of over 1,000 journals; it can be subject-searched and gives immediate online access to articles in titles to which the University subscribes.
- Project Muse: Full-text access to nearly 500 journals from over 130 scholarly publishers.
Region/country databases
- America: History and Life: A companion title to Historical Abstracts. There is not online access, but the print copy can be found in the University Library (North Front, Floor 6, classmark: P660.b.31).
- Bibliography of British and Irish History: A bibliographical database of historical writing dealing with the British Isles, the British Empire and the Commonwealth, from 55 B.C. to the present, containing over 500,000 records. (It is worth noting that it is not an exhaustive bibliography of works relating to the British Empire and the Commonwealth; it covers the relations of those countries in the Empire and the Commonwealth with Britain.)
- Bibliography of Asian Studies: A bibliographical database covering articles and book chapters on all parts of Asia published since 1971.
- Index Islamicus: A bibliographical database of books, articles and reviews on Islam and the Muslim world.
Chronological databases
- International Medieval Bibliography: A bibliographical database covering medieval civilization, containing over 440,000 records.
Topical databases
- ATLA Religion Database: A bibliographical database covering theology and church history, containing over 1.7 million records.
- Bibliography of the History of Art: A bibliographical database on European and American art from late antiquity to the present, covering material published between 1975 and 2007.
- History of Science, Technology & Medicine: amalgamation of a few separate bibliographies. Includes historiography and the role of science in society and culture from prehistoric times onwards.
Unpublished material (dissertations and theses)
There are several different databases for searching for university dissertations and theses, whether produced in the United Kingdom or further afield.
- History Online: Contains a directory of history theses and research Masters produced in the U.K. since 1970, along with a list of theses currently in progress.
- EThOS: The national thesis service: a British Library-administered database of over 300,000 theses from U.K. universities. Those which have already been digitized can be downloaded for free, but if the thesis you want to look at has not yet been digitized, you will have to pay a fee. (Cambridge dissertations are listed on Ethos but not supplied by the service.
- ProQuest Digital Dissertations: A database of 2.4 million dissertation and theses citations from 700 academic institutions worldwide, offering full text for most of the dissertations added since 1997.
- Apollo: Cambridge University's institutional repository. Includes a collection of voluntarily deposited Ph.D. theses.
Finding primary sources
You can access more online resources through iDiscover and the UL's eresources@cambridge page , which includes links to visual and sound resources, film and video services, and newspapers (both archives and current).
Some examples of online collections of primary source material:
- American Memory (Library of Congress): online collection of documents for American history, comprising written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music.
- British History Online: digital library of primary and secondary sources for medieval and modern history of the British Isles
- Empire Online: online collection of original documents relating to empire studies, including exploration journals, periodicals, government papers, maps.
- First World War: Personal Experiences: database of digital images of original documents, including diaries, letters, personal narratives, scrapbooks, and visual sources.
- German History in Documents and Images: digital collection of original historical materials documenting German history from the beginning of the early modern period to the present.
- UK Parliamentary Papers includes over 200,00 House of Commons sessional papers from 1715, with supplementary material back to 1688.
In Cambridge
ArchiveSearch provides finding aids and links to digital records for the majority of archives located in the city of Cambridge., including the archives of many colleges, and of the Churchill Archives Centre .
In the United Kingdom
You may need to visit archives outside Cambridge as part of your research. To find out what archival material is held where, there are various union catalogues of archive material:
- National Archives: Formerly the Public Record Office, this repository holds the national archives for England, Wales and the United Kingdom (there are separate national record offices for Scotland and Northern Ireland). They have extensive online catalogues , which can be searched by subject, and you can access their online collections and download copies of documents.
- National Register of Archives: A register of over 44,000 unpublished lists and catalogues, detailing the nature and location of manuscripts and historical records relating to British history. These are "non-official" archives covering the holdings of local record offices, national and university libraries (including Cambridge), specialist repositories, museums and other bodies in the United Kingdom and abroad, as well as papers held privately by individuals, firms and institutions. The research guides on the website explain how the National Register of Archives can be used for locating material on particular topics.
- Archives Hub: A national gateway to descriptions of archives of over 180 UK repositories (including Oxford and Cambridge); again, you can search by subject.
To search the holdings of archives outside the United Kingdom, try Archive Grid , a major catalogue of historical documents, personal papers and family history material held in repositories around the world; you can search for collections by topic.
Subject gateways are online portals to subject-specific resources, and can be excellent places to look for more information on your topic. Some gateways where the sites have been evaluated by experts include:
- History Online: Created by the Institute of Historical Research, this initiative indexes books and journal articles, details history lecturers in the U.K., digital history projects, and current and past historical research.
- History Data Service: This project collects, preserves, and promotes the use of digital resources, which result from or support historical research, learning and teaching.
- Connected Histories: A collection of digital resources on early modern and 19th century British history.
- Online resources
- Electronic resources by paper
- Libraries, archives, museums, galleries
- Keeping up-to-date
- Work For Us
- History Dissertation Repository
The Northumbria Dissertation Repository was launched in October 2015 to share the best of the university's undergraduate research in History. While online repositories already exist for postgraduate theses, few include undergraduate research – despite the fact that many dissertations are original in conception, argument, and in their use of primary sources.
The History team at Northumbria is pleased to provide access to the excellent, archive-driven research undertaken by our final-year students. The dissertations included in this repository were all awarded first-class marks. They reflect the range of research expertise at Northumbria, as well as our commitment to research-based learning. Moreover, the pieces in this dissertation clearly testify to the skills, enthusiasm and hard work of our students.
We hope to add further examples of undergraduate research to the repository in subsequent years, thereby developing it as a useful resource.
If you have any further questions about the repository, please contact Dr Daniel Laqua or Dr James McConnel .
Medieval and Early Modern History
- Hide, Rachel : Tribal Resistance in Northern England and Scotland from the Roman Conquest to the Building of Hadrian’s Wall, 43-122 AD
- Husbands, Benjamin : The Afterlife of Joan of Arc: Visual Representations of the Maid of Orléans
- Watson, Hannah : A Feminist Analysis of the Reinforcement of Patriarchal Strategies within Families of the Late Medieval Gentry
Early Modern
- Curry, Adam : The Arthurian Reformation: The Changing Image of the Arthurian Legend During the English Reformation
- Clarke, Lucy : A Comparison of Female Prostitution in Eighteenth-Century London and Dublin
- Harrington, Helen : Gender and ‘Crimes of Speech’ in Seventeenth-Century York
- Weightman, Peter : The Role of the Commons of Cumberland and Westmoreland in the Pilgrimage of Grace, 1536
Modern British History
- Green, Jyoti : Female Same-Sex Desire in the Nineteenth Century: Approaches from Lesbian Feminist Theory
- Martin, Hannah : ‘Tragedy, Death, and Memory’: The Commemoration of British Coal Mining Disasters in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century
- Riddell, Daniel : Tyneside and the Italian Risorgimento, 1848-1861
- White, Oliver : The Football League and the Game It Made: A Study of the Development and Transformation of Association Football, 1888–1914
- Aldis, Francesca : “They call this spring, Mum, and they have one here every year”: An Examination of the Evacuation Experience of Tyneside Schoolchildren 1939–1945
- Carr, Jessica : Women’s Work in Munitions Factories during The First World War: Gender, Class and Public Opinion
- Isles, Scott : More Than 'an Enemy's Name, Rank and Number': Information Gaines from Luftwaffe Prisoners of War and its Use for British Intelligence during the Battle of Britain, July - October 1940
- Macfarlane, Euan : British Naval Innovation and Performance before and during the First World War: The 1916 Sinking of the HMS Invincible
- Timms, Mathew : The North East and Economic Depression, 1935–1939: The Impact of the Team Valley Corporation
- Wickenden, Rebecca : ‘For Home and Country’: The Role of the Women’s Institute in the Northumberland and Durham Counties during the Second World War
- Corrigan, Chloe : More Than the 'Fuddy Duddy Co-op': The Consumer Co-operative Movement in 1960s Great Britain
- Fairbairn, Lily : 'Born to Struggle': Working-Class Women's Activism in 1970s Britain
- Kundu, Victoria : 'Roaming Mobs of Mutants!': Anti-Nuclear Culture and Protest in Britain, 1979-1989
- Sumner, Billy : Militant within Liverpool City Council 1983–1986: The Impact of and Reaction to a Left-Wing Political Movement in the Labour Party
- Tewson, Miles : The Process of Decolonization in Burma: Managing the Transition from Colony to Independent State
Modern European and International History
- Harold, Danny : Russian Exiles in Britain, 1918–1926: The Politics and Culture of Russia Abroad
- Heywood, Gareth : Education, Sociability and the Politics of Culture in Fin-de-Siècle France
- McGowan, Abbie : ‘Looted Art as an International Issue’: From Nazi Plunder to Restitution, 1939–1951
- Robertson-Major, James : A Long Half-Life: Responses to Chernobyl in Soviet and Post-Soviet Society
- Serafin, Marcel : Socialist Opposition in the Polish People’s Republic, 1964–1989
- Armstrong, Alasdair : Words as Weapons: Black Nationalist Poetry in America during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s
- Foley, Lee : A Step Backwards: Nixon, Détente, and the American Space Program
- Henderson, Sophie : Disobedience and Defiance: Massive Resistance in Mississippi in the 1950s and 1960s
- Keen, Gavin : New York City’s Societal Influence on the Punk Movement, 1975–1979
- Lisle, Ben : ‘In no other business in America is the color line so finely drawn as in baseball’: An Analysis of Black Baseball’s Failed Attempts at Achieving Major League Professionalism, 1887–1939
- McGuinness, Chloe: Bridging the Gap One Bite at a Time: A Food History of African American Activism, 1955-2015
- Paterson, Ewan : Redefining Watergate: Surveillance, Paranoia and Pop Culture in America’s Long 1970s
- Watson, Lucy : Representing the 1970s on TV: That '70s Show
- Weaver, Alice : Peace Activism and Women’s Politics: Women Strike for Peace in Context, 1961–1972
History Research
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- Postgraduate Research
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Dissertation Topics: 190 Best Ideas
Coming up with the right dissertation topics is one of the most important decisions you'll make in your academic life. With so many fields to explore, finding a subject that not only interests you but also has enough research material can feel overwhelming. In 2024, some topics are gaining particular attention:
- Sustainability and environmental challenges
- Artificial intelligence and its impact on society
- Mental health and well-being
- The future of work and remote employment
- Social media's role in shaping political discourse
In this article, we'll guide you through these trending dissertation topics and provide insights into choosing one that suits your interests and goals. We'll also cover how to approach your research and craft a strong argument without getting lost in the process. If you still find yourself stuck after reading, DoMyEssay offers top-tier assistance to help you with writing a dissertation and beyond.
Top 10 Dissertation Topics for 2024
When it comes to writing a dissertation, choosing a topic that's relevant, engaging, and forward-thinking is crucial. For 2024, some topics stand out due to their timeliness and the growing body of research around them. Here are ten new dissertation topics that are particularly relevant this year:
- Climate Change Adaptation Policies: How are governments evolving their strategies to cope with the ever-accelerating climate crisis?
- AI in Healthcare: The ethical implications and potential benefits of integrating AI into patient care and medical diagnostics.
- Cryptocurrency Regulation: The impact of government regulations on the crypto market and investor behavior.
- Mental Health in the Post-Pandemic Workplace: How have remote work and hybrid models changed employee mental health support systems?
- Sustainable Fashion: How is the fashion industry responding to sustainability demands from consumers and environmental groups?
- Cybersecurity in a Data-Driven World: Assess the rise of cyber threats as industries increasingly rely on big data.
- Renewable Energy Transition: The challenges and breakthroughs in moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
- Social Media's Influence on Public Opinion: How are platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok shaping global political movements?
- The Future of Education: The role of virtual and augmented reality in transforming traditional learning environments.
- Gender Equality in Corporate Leadership: Progress and roadblocks in achieving gender parity in executive roles.
Economics Dissertation Topics
Here are 10 unique topics that offer a fresh perspective on key economic issues, giving you a solid starting point for in-depth research.
- How do cryptocurrency regulations impact global financial stability?
- What role does AI play in shaping modern economic forecasting models?
- How has remote work affected productivity and wage inequality in developed economies?
- Can universal basic income reduce poverty in high-income countries?
- How does climate change influence global trade patterns and resource allocation?
- What are the long-term economic effects of the gig economy on traditional labor markets?
- How does social media advertising impact consumer behavior and economic growth?
- What are the economic consequences of shifting to renewable energy sources?
- How do international sanctions affect the economic development of targeted countries?
- What is the impact of rising inflation on small businesses in emerging markets?
Business Dissertation Topics
When it comes to business dissertations, focusing on current trends and challenges is key. Each question below tackles a unique aspect of the evolving business landscape.
- How does corporate social responsibility influence consumer loyalty in 2024?
- What are the most effective leadership styles in hybrid work environments?
- How do start-ups use innovation to compete with established brands in crowded markets?
- What is the role of emotional intelligence in modern business negotiations?
- How do data-driven strategies improve decision-making in the retail sector?
- What are the key factors affecting the success of mergers and acquisitions in tech companies?
- How does influencer marketing impact brand credibility and sales growth?
- What are the long-term effects of supply chain disruptions on global business operations?
- How do sustainability practices impact profitability in the fashion industry?
- What is the role of workplace diversity in enhancing creativity and innovation?
Dissertation Ideas in Management
These management-focused ideas offer timely topics for research while addressing real-world challenges in modern organizations.
- How can companies build a resilient workforce in the face of global crises?
- What are the most effective strategies for managing remote teams across multiple time zones?
- How does emotional intelligence in leadership improve employee performance and satisfaction?
- What role does digital transformation play in streamlining operations in large organizations?
- How can change management frameworks help companies adapt to disruptive technologies?
- What are the best practices for managing diversity and inclusion in the workplace?
- How can performance management systems be redesigned to suit hybrid work models?
- What impact does ethical leadership have on organizational culture and long-term success?
- How can agile project management be effectively implemented in non-tech industries?
- What strategies help reduce employee burnout and improve retention in high-pressure industries?
Finance Dissertation Ideas
Finance is a field rich with complex, evolving topics. Here are ten dissertation ideas in finance, each presenting a unique angle for exploration:
- How do interest rate changes impact investment decisions in emerging markets?
- What are the effects of fintech innovations on traditional banking practices?
- How can risk management strategies be optimized for volatile cryptocurrency markets?
- What role does behavioral finance play in stock market volatility?
- How do environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors influence investment portfolios?
- What are the economic implications of high-frequency trading on market stability?
- How do regulatory changes affect financial market efficiency and investor behavior?
- What impact does corporate governance have on financial performance and shareholder value?
- How can predictive analytics improve credit risk assessment for financial institutions?
- What are the financial risks and opportunities associated with sustainable investment funds?
Dissertation Topics in Marketing
These topics focus on contemporary issues and innovations in marketing, providing a range of options for impactful research.
- How does personalized marketing affect customer loyalty and retention in e-commerce?
- What are the impacts of influencer marketing on brand perception and sales conversion?
- How can companies leverage big data to enhance their digital marketing strategies?
- What role do mobile marketing strategies play in influencing consumer purchasing decisions?
- How do environmental and sustainability claims influence consumer brand trust and purchase behavior?
- What are the effects of social media advertising on brand equity and consumer engagement?
- How can businesses effectively use customer feedback to drive product development and marketing strategies?
- What are the challenges and opportunities of integrating artificial intelligence into marketing automation?
- How does cross-cultural marketing impact global brand positioning and market entry strategies?
- What are the trends and effectiveness of experiential marketing in enhancing brand experiences?
Dissertation Topics in Accounting
Accounting is important for managing financial health and ensuring compliance. Here are ten dissertation topics in accounting, each offering a fresh perspective on key issues and developments:
- How do blockchain technologies improve transparency and reduce fraud in financial reporting?
- What are the effects of new accounting standards on financial statements and investor decisions?
- How can forensic accounting techniques be enhanced to better detect financial irregularities?
- What impact do tax reforms have on corporate financial strategies and compliance?
- How does environmental accounting contribute to corporate sustainability and reporting practices?
- What role does artificial intelligence play in automating and improving auditing processes?
- How do international accounting standards affect financial reporting for multinational corporations?
- What are the implications of revenue recognition changes on performance metrics and financial health?
- How can small businesses effectively manage and report financial risks in a volatile economy?
- What are the challenges and benefits of integrating cost management systems into strategic decision-making?
Human Resources Dissertation Topics
These topics cover contemporary issues and advancements in HR, providing a range of options for in-depth and impactful research.
- How can organizations effectively implement remote work policies while maintaining employee engagement and productivity?
- What are the impacts of AI and automation on HR practices and job roles?
- How does diversity and inclusion training influence workplace culture and employee performance?
- What strategies can HR departments use to address and reduce employee burnout in high-stress industries?
- How does employee well-being and mental health support impact organizational performance and retention?
- What are the best practices for managing talent acquisition in a competitive job market?
- How can HR analytics be utilized to improve decision-making and workforce planning?
- What role does leadership development play in preparing employees for succession planning?
- How do compensation and benefits strategies affect employee satisfaction and organizational loyalty?
- What are the challenges and opportunities in implementing effective performance management systems?
Political Science Dissertation Titles
Political Science examines the dynamics of power, governance, and policy.
- How do migration and refugee crises affect national security policies and international diplomacy?
- What are the consequences of foreign interference in democratic elections on national sovereignty?
- How does the rise of authoritarian regimes challenge global human rights standards?
- What role does political ideology play in shaping public policy and legislative outcomes?
- How do social media platforms influence political mobilization and public opinion?
- What are the effects of populist movements on democratic institutions and governance?
- How do international sanctions impact the political stability and economic development of targeted nations?
- What role does political corruption play in undermining democratic processes and reforms?
- How do environmental policies shape political agendas and international relations?
- What are the impacts of electoral system reforms on political representation and voter participation?
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Law Dissertation Topics
Law is a vast field with many evolving areas of interest. Here are ten dissertation topics in law, each focusing on contemporary issues and legal challenges:
- How do recent changes in data protection laws impact corporate compliance and consumer privacy?
- What are the legal implications of autonomous vehicles on liability and insurance frameworks?
- How do international human rights treaties influence domestic legal systems and practices?
- What role does corporate governance play in preventing financial fraud and ensuring ethical business practices?
- How effective are current anti-terrorism laws in balancing national security and civil liberties?
- What are the legal challenges and opportunities in regulating cryptocurrency and digital assets?
- How does the rise of environmental litigation affect corporate environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance?
- What are the legal implications of remote work on labor laws and employment contracts?
- How do family law reforms impact child custody decisions and parental rights?
- What are the effects of legal reforms on access to justice and legal representation for marginalized communities?
History Dissertation Topic Ideas
These history dissertation topics are designed to shed light on significant and unique aspects of the past:
- How did the rise of industrialization impact social structures and labor conditions in 19th-century Europe?
- What were the long-term effects of colonialism on indigenous cultures and economies in Africa?
- How did the Cold War influence global political alignments and conflicts in the Middle East?
- What role did women play in social and political movements during the early 20th century?
- How did the Great Depression shape economic policies and social welfare programs in the United States?
- What were the causes and consequences of the fall of the Roman Empire on European civilization?
- How did technological advancements during World War II alter warfare strategies and post-war geopolitics?
- What impact did the Civil Rights Movement have on legislation and race relations in post-1960s America?
- How did the Silk Road facilitate cultural and economic exchanges between East and West in ancient times?
- What were the effects of political revolutions in Latin America on regional stability and international relations?
Psychology Dissertation Topics
The psychology dissertation topics below cover a wide range of topics related to human behavior and mental processes.
- What role does early childhood trauma play in the development of personality disorders?
- How do sleep patterns affect cognitive functioning and emotional regulation in young adults?
- What are the psychological effects of remote work on employee motivation and job satisfaction?
- How does attachment style influence romantic relationships and relationship satisfaction?
- What are the impacts of virtual reality exposure therapy on treating phobias and PTSD?
- How does social media use impact adolescent self-esteem and mental health?
- What are the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on anxiety and depression in adults?
- How do cognitive biases influence decision-making in high-stress environments?
- How does cultural background affect the perception and treatment of mental health issues?
- What are the psychological factors contributing to addiction and effective strategies for intervention?
Sociology Dissertation Topics
Here are ten social work dissertation topics that examine the complex interactions between individuals and society:
- What are the social consequences of rising political polarization and partisan identity?
- How does the gig economy impact traditional employment structures and worker rights?
- What are the effects of environmental degradation on marginalized communities and social justice?
- How does the rise of digital technologies influence social relationships and interpersonal communication?
- What are the implications of aging populations on healthcare systems and social policies?
- How does social media influence identity formation and self-perception among teenagers?
- What are the effects of urbanization on community cohesion and social networks in modern cities?
- How does economic inequality impact access to education and social mobility?
- What role does family structure play in shaping children's academic and social outcomes?
- How do migration and globalization affect cultural identity and integration in host societies?
PhD Dissertation Topics
PhD dissertations often tackle complex and advanced subjects.
- How can adaptive algorithms improve real-time decision-making in autonomous drone systems?
- What are the long-term impacts of synthetic biology on ecological balance and biodiversity?
- How do blockchain technologies influence transparency and accountability in supply chain management?
- What are the effects of neuroplasticity-focused interventions on cognitive rehabilitation for brain injury survivors?
- How can advanced data analytics reshape predictive models for rare disease diagnostics?
- What role does gene-environment interaction play in the development of complex psychiatric disorders?
- How does the integration of augmented reality in educational settings affect student engagement and learning outcomes?
- What are the implications of nanotechnology in the development of next-generation drug delivery systems?
- How do sociopolitical narratives shape the perception and policy responses to emerging infectious diseases?
- What are the ethical considerations and societal impacts of using AI in autonomous legal decision-making systems?
Ecology Dissertation Ideas
These topics explore different aspects of ecosystems and environmental interactions:
- How does climate change affect the migration patterns of avian species?
- What are the impacts of deforestation on biodiversity and ecosystem services in tropical rainforests?
- How do invasive species alter native ecosystems and food webs?
- What role do urban green spaces play in supporting local wildlife and improving ecological health?
- How does pollution from agricultural runoff affect aquatic ecosystems and water quality?
- What are the effects of habitat fragmentation on animal behavior and population dynamics?
- How do conservation strategies influence the recovery and resilience of endangered species?
- What is the impact of ocean acidification on marine biodiversity and coral reef ecosystems?
- How do changes in land use impact soil health and ecosystem productivity?
- What role do ecological interactions play in the spread and control of zoonotic diseases?
Biology Dissertation Topics
Biology covers the study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment.
- How do genetic modifications impact the resistance of crops to pests and diseases?
- What are the effects of climate change on marine biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics?
- How do microbial communities in the gut influence human health and disease?
- What are the mechanisms of resistance development in bacteria against antibiotics?
- How does habitat loss affect the genetic diversity and survival of endangered species?
- What role do epigenetic changes play in cancer development and progression?
- How can CRISPR technology be used to address genetic disorders and enhance gene therapy?
- What are the ecological impacts of plastic pollution on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems?
- How do plant-pollinator interactions affect crop yields and ecosystem stability?
- What are the implications of evolutionary biology for understanding human diseases and treatments?
Dissertation Topics in Educational Leadership
These education dissertation topics focus on critical issues and trends in the field:
- How do transformational leadership styles impact teacher motivation and student achievement?
- What are the effects of school leadership on implementing inclusive education practices?
- How does distributed leadership influence decision-making and collaboration in schools?
- What role does educational leadership play in addressing and reducing achievement gaps?
- How can leaders effectively manage and support the integration of technology in the classroom?
- What are the challenges and benefits of leadership in diverse and multicultural school settings?
- How do principal leadership practices affect school culture and climate?
- What strategies can educational leaders use to foster professional development and continuous learning among teachers?
- How does leadership in early childhood education differ from leadership in K-12 settings?
- What are the impacts of policy changes on school leadership and educational outcomes?
Dissertation Topics in Education
Here are ten education dissertation topics covering a range of issues within the field.
- How does early childhood education impact long-term academic success and social development?
- What are the effects of differentiated instruction on student engagement and learning outcomes?
- How can educational institutions effectively support students with learning disabilities?
- What is the role of parental involvement in enhancing student performance and motivation?
- How do online learning platforms compare to traditional classroom settings in terms of student achievement?
- What are the challenges and opportunities of implementing culturally responsive teaching practices?
- How does formative assessment influence student learning and instructional strategies?
- What impact does school leadership have on teacher job satisfaction and retention?
- How can schools address and prevent bullying through educational programs and policies?
- What are the effects of integrating social-emotional learning into the school curriculum on student behavior and academic performance?
Dissertation Topics in Higher Education
Higher education is a dynamic field with many areas ripe for exploration.
- How do university admissions policies impact diversity and inclusion in higher education institutions?
- What are the effects of online learning platforms on student engagement and academic performance in higher education?
- How can higher education institutions better support first-generation college students?
- What role does academic advising play in student retention and success in university settings?
- How do financial aid programs influence students' academic choices and career outcomes?
- What are the impacts of global exchange programs on students' cultural competence and academic growth?
- How does campus climate affect student mental health and well-being in higher education institutions?
- What strategies can universities employ to enhance the integration of career readiness into the curriculum?
- How do faculty development programs impact teaching effectiveness and student learning in higher education?
- What are the challenges and opportunities of implementing sustainability practices within university operations and curricula?
Need Help with Your Dissertation?
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How to Choose a Dissertation Topic?
Choosing topics for dissertation on your own doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here's a straightforward approach to help you land on the perfect subject:
- Check the Research Gaps: Look for areas in your field that haven't been fully explored yet, offering you a chance to contribute something new.
- Consider Relevance: Make sure the topic is timely and has a connection to current trends or future developments in your field.
- Scope It Right: Don't choose a topic that's too broad or too narrow. Aim for one with enough material to explore but manageable within your timeline.
- Availability of Resources: Ensure you have access to the necessary data, studies, and experts to support your research.
- Consult Your Advisor: Don't hesitate to discuss your dissertation ideas with your advisor. Their feedback can help refine your topic and make it more focused.
Where to Look For a Unique Dissertation Topic?
Here are some simple yet effective ways to discover truly great topics for dissertation :
- Academic Journals: Browse the latest issues of relevant journals to spot emerging trends or unexplored areas of research.
- Conferences and Seminars: Attending academic events can expose you to cutting-edge research and provide inspiration for your topic.
- Online Databases: Platforms like Google Scholar or JSTOR are excellent for identifying recent studies and some great examples of dissertation topics.
- Current News and Industry Reports: Look for real-world issues in your field by staying up to date with news articles and industry reports. These sources often highlight hot topics.
- Your Own Work Experience: If applicable, draw from any personal experience or previous research projects that you can expand upon or dive deeper into.
What Does a Good Dissertation Title Look Like?
Once you've settled on a topic, crafting the right title is the next critical step. A strong dissertation title should do more than just summarize your research—it should grab attention and clearly communicate the focus of your study. Here's what makes a good dissertation title:
- Clarity: Your title should be straightforward and easy to understand, leaving no room for confusion about what your dissertation ideas cover.
- Specificity: A good title narrows down your topic to a specific area, highlighting exactly what your research will focus on.
- Relevance: Ensure the title reflects current issues or debates within your field. It should immediately signal why your research matters.
- Conciseness: Keep it short and to the point. Long, complicated titles can be overwhelming and less memorable.
- Keywords: Include key terms related to your topic that will help others find your work during searches.
What are Some Relevant Ideas to Research in 2024?
As we move through 2024, certain areas of research are more relevant than ever, especially in fields like AI, technology, and politics. These subjects are constantly evolving, offering plenty of opportunities for fresh and impactful research:
- Artificial Intelligence: Focus on the ethical implications, advancements in machine learning, or AI's impact on industries such as healthcare, education, or the job market.
- Technology: Explore emerging technologies like blockchain, quantum computing, or virtual reality and how they're transforming sectors like finance, entertainment, or data security.
- Politics: Research the influence of social media on political movements, the rise of populism, or how global events are shaping new policies and governance models.
Final Remarks
In 2024, some of the hottest areas for research include:
- The ongoing challenges of climate change policies
- AI's role in modern industries
- Mental health in the workplace
- Cryptocurrency regulations
- The rise of sustainable practices across different sectors.
Whether you're drawn to technology's advancements, the future of education, or gender equality in leadership, there's no shortage of fascinating directions you can take your research. If you're still feeling unsure about which topic is right for you, DoMyEssay's dissertation writing service is ready to step in and assist—not only with writing but even helping you pinpoint a unique topic that suits your interests and academic goals.
COMMENTS
This is the section where you write a brief summary of your dissertation. It should describe the issue, summarize your core message and essential points. List your research methods and what you've done. Remember to make it short, as the abstract shouldn't exceed 300 words or so.
The dissertation represents the culmination of years of graduate training. For many, the pages of the dissertation are stained with blood, sweat and tears. And coffee. And more tears. Since 1882, when the first dissertation was presented to the history department for doctoral qualification at Yale, hundreds of scholars have since followed that same path, dedicating themselves
Advanced Dissertation History Examples. Finding an best and unique examples of history dissertations topic will take a significant amount of time. As a result, you can choose any of these subjects for your history dissertation. They're all easy, straightforward, and great. the main political causes behind Nazi Germany's formation.
History Thesis Topics: List of 69 Outstanding Ideas. by IvyPanda®. 11 min. 22,462. Unless you plan to go for a Ph.D. in history, a thesis will be the most significant academic writing of your life. It shows your in-depth knowledge of a subject, your ability to think logically, creatively, and originally.
25 Good Research Paper Topics for History: 1950-1970. General Eisenhower: Critical Actions of His Presidency. Stalin's Death and its Effect on the Political Landscape. The Team that Conquered Mt. Everest for the First Time. The Conditions of the Military Aid Pact between China and Pakistan.
️ History Thesis Topics for Bachelor's Degree: Tips and Tricks. Writing a diploma thesis in history is a significant milestone for university graduates. It allows students to showcase their research skills, critical thinking, and expertise in the subject. Crafting a compelling and well-structured thesis requires careful planning and adherence ...
History of Cinema Dissertation Topics. Topic 1: Analysing the history and politics of Bollywood. Topic 2: The role of cinematic depictions influencing popular understanding of the Spanish Civil War. Topic 3: Analysing distinctive characteristics of Korean films. Topic 4: Examining the history of cinema in Britain since 1896.
The best way to achieve this is to: 1. Record the key ideas, themes and quotes from what you have read. Try to find a uniform way to do this as it will make it easier to find information when you come to write your dissertation. Some formats are freely available on the internet, such as the Cornell Note Taking System.
The final-year dissertation in history will allow you to carry out a substantive piece of historical research and produce an article-length piece of work at the end of it. It gives you the opportunity to work in a way similar to an academic historian: identifying a suitable research topic; mastering the relevant historiography; immersing ...
First Reader / Adviser: The Dissertation Committee is chaired by a member of the History Department who has been designated as the student's adviser. The Adviser works closely with the student at all stages of the dissertation, from formulation of the topic through writing and defense. Second Reader: a senior or junior faculty member from the ...
2020-Present 2023-2024 Beaman, GregTransregional History"Slavery in the Suburbs: A History of Real Estate and Slavery in the Faubourgs of New Orleans, 1788-1852"Advisor: Adam Rothman Broadus, VictoriaLatin American History"Vissungo: The Afro-Descended Culture of Miners and Maroons in Brazil's Diamond District, 1850s-2020s"Advisor: Bryan McCann Burnham, JakobEuropean History ...
Sachiko Kusukawa There are many ways of writing history and no fixed formula for a 'good' essay or dissertation. Before you start, you may find it helpful to have a look at some sample dissertations and essays from the past: ask at the Whipple Library. I.
2. Develop a Thesis Statement. To create a thesis statement, a student should establish a specific idea or theory that makes the main point about a historical event. Scribbr, an editing website, recommends starting with a working thesis, asking the question the thesis intends to answer, and, then, writing the answer.
History Masters Theses Collection. This collection contains open access and campus access Masters theses, made possible through Graduate Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The full content of open access theses is available to all, although some files may have embargoes placed on them and will be made available as soon as possible.
Step 1: Check the requirements. Step 2: Choose a broad field of research. Step 3: Look for books and articles. Step 4: Find a niche. Step 5: Consider the type of research. Step 6: Determine the relevance. Step 7: Make sure it's plausible. Step 8: Get your topic approved. Other interesting articles.
The Destruction of Louisiana Wetlands: An Environmental History, 1900-2000, Gloria H. Adams. PDF. The Perpetual Progression in the Schleswig-Holstein Duchy: History, Politics, and Religion, 1460-1864, Christian Anthony Ahlers. PDF. A Refinement on the Principle of Resistance: The Puritan Roots of Political Resistance in America, Michael P. Berry.
History staff members offer a range of topics that Master of Arts and PhD students may want to pursue. Catherine Abou-Nemeh European history, 1500-1750. I am available to supervise a range of topics in the history of early modern Europe, early modern sciences, technology, and medicine, from around 1500 to 1750.
Dissertations. Since 2009, we have published the best of the annual dissertations produced by our final year undergraduates and award a 'best dissertation of the year' prize to the best of the best. Best Dissertations of 2022. Best Dissertations of 2021. Best Dissertations of 2020.
ProQuest Digital Dissertations: A database of 2.4 million dissertation and theses citations from 700 academic institutions worldwide, offering full text for most of the dissertations added since 1997. Apollo: Cambridge University's institutional repository. Includes a collection of voluntarily deposited Ph.D. theses.
The Northumbria Dissertation Repository was launched in October 2015 to share the best of the university's undergraduate research in History. While online repositories already exist for postgraduate theses, few include undergraduate research - despite the fact that many dissertations are original in conception, argument, and in their use of primary sources.
Exercise A (20-30 minutes): Brainstorm topics of interest. In the first brainstorm, your job is to write down all of the possible "topics" that you m. ght be interested in researching further with your thesis. Here is where you list all of the themes, people, places, texts, events, movements, ima.
History 99: Senior Thesis Seminar Course jectivesob The Senior Thesis Writers' Seminar has a twofold purpose . The first is to provide you with practi-cal guidance and writing advice as you complete a senior thesis in History . We will discuss many of the common hurdles and pitfalls that past students have
Example dissertation titles and topics. The publication and reception history of Mungo Park's Travels in Africa (1799) Printing, publishing and editing James Rennell's Map of Hindoostan (1782) The Times of India and the making of the colonial newspaper press. Press censorship in colonial New South Wales, 1790-1850.
History Dissertation Topic Ideas. These history dissertation topics are designed to shed light on significant and unique aspects of the past: How did the rise of industrialization impact social structures and labor conditions in 19th-century Europe?