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Vision statement:
The Department of History will be nationally and internationally recognised for educating undergraduate and post graduate history students about the importance of understanding the past in any society, and for teaching them critical, analytical and research skills applicable to numerous potential career paths. The department shall provide students, researchers and the public with innovative dynamic services, teaching and scholarship. This will be done through its enterprise of using current and innovative curriculum to offer excellent training to students studying history at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels, and providing consultancy services to members of the university, community, region, country and the world. It will proactively endeavour to offer quality research and teaching to students for them to develop personal interests and leadership skills relevant for the full enjoyment of life, enabling them to contribute immensely to national development and the human experience. The department will work to serve the university, region, country, continent and the world through student and faculty participation in academic study, professional cultural activities, travel, exchange programmes, and sponsored professional meetings and conferences.
Mission statement:
The mission of the Department of History is shaped by the mission of the University of Cape Coast and the goals of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, of the same university. Within those overarching mission frames, it is the mission of the Department of History to serve the university, region, and country through quality teaching/advising, research/creative activity, and outreach/general service. Thus, the department offers excellent B.A., M.A., MPhil and Ph.D. programmes. The B.A. programmes prepares students for careers that involve research, synthesis, and analysis; as educators/teachers and archivists/curators; and for admission to graduate or professional school. The Masters programmes prepares students to teach, to work as public historians, or to advance their graduate education. The PhD programme prepares students to teach and research at national and international tertiary educational institutions, and to publish recognized scholarly works, especially in history and the humanities.
History:
The Department of History falls under the Faculty of Arts and is one of the prestigious bastions of teaching and learning history in the West African sub-Region. It is also one of the oldest academic units in the University. It was the second full-fledged History Department to be established in Ghana, after the first one came into being in 1948, upon the opening of the University College of the Gold Coast (now the University of Ghana).
Following the report of the International Commission on University Education in Ghana (May 1961), the government of Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah established the University College of Cape Coast (now the University of Cape Coast) and formally inaugurated it on 15th December, 1962. The University started its life with the two pioneer Departments of Arts and of Science. The Department of Arts, which was originally known as the Department of Liberal and Social Studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, was transferred together with students and staff to Cape Coast in March 1962, and reorganized into seven sections, namely: Classics, Economics, English, French, Geography, Sociology and History.
In the 1964/65 academic year, the Department of Arts was upgraded to a Faculty with the seven Sections under it, including History, becoming full-fledged Departments. Since that period, the Department has been at the forefront of training generations in critical and analytical skills, documenting the diverse histories of Ghana’s space and shaping the debate in the general field of historical research. The Department has, thus far, trained and successfully graduated over 1,400 undergraduate students (both combined and major students) and tens of masters and Ph.D students, who are spread across the globe and in various sectors of human endeavor, such as: education, governance, diplomacy, law, business, security services, communication, etc. Over the last four decades, students and faculty of the Department have vigorously researched the local and national histories of the people of Ghana and beyond.
The Department remains the best in the teaching and research of History in Ghana. Over the next decade, the Department aims to expand its frontiers, programmes and research areas, and to be in tune with the rapidly changing field of historical enquiry. The Department looks forward to undertaking that journey with you.
Core Values:
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College/Faculty/School/Department:
Department of History
About College/Faculty/Department:
History is an important intersection between the humanities and social sciences. It is the memory of human experience and a window to understanding this experience as it has unfolded over the course of time. Knowledge in History enables you to appreciate institutions, events, trends and individuals that have shaped the human existence. It also helps you to develop a better understanding of contemporary cultures and its intertwining linkages with the past and the general human condition. This is achieved through established methods of historical research, strict evidential proof and critical thinking skills.
The University of Cape Coast Department of History has been at the forefront of teaching and research of History since 1962. The Department’s major goals are:
To be nationally and internationally recognized as an excellent center for research, and the training of undergraduate students, and production of Masters and Ph.Ds. in History who, together with the department’s faculty, will churn out innovative and meaningful historical knowledge that contributes to the popular and scholarly understanding of the present and future shaping past, especially the African past.
To produce history graduates who, in addition to their national consciousness, also appreciate other cultures in Africa and other parts of the world.
Prepare the graduates to meet the ever-compelling problems of society with confidence.
Prepare students to become first-class scholars and practitioners of the craft of history.
Train students to become aware of and take pride in their heritage, and be prepared to contribute to its uplift.
Prepare teachers capable of using the most up-to-date technological equipment in teaching, research and learning.
Concentrate on the re-connection of the future teachers to their culture in order to develop their personality and skills so that they can adequately train younger ones to appreciate their nationality and culture within the global family.
If you are thinking about a degree in History, then chose UCC History. Contact us and we will be glad to speak to you.
Degree Type:
Doctor of PhilosophyDepartment of HistoryProgramme Duration:
3 years (Standard Entry)About Programme:
Not Published
Goal / Objectives:
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Career Opportunities:
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Entry Requirements:
- Hold a research Master’s Degree in History and other related humanities.
- Have a non-researched Master’s Degree with a CGPA of 2.5 or better, with not more than one C+ or lower and B+ or better in Philosophy of History and Research Methods.
Degree Type:
Master of PhilosophyDepartment of HistoryProgramme Duration:
2 years (Standard Entry)About Programme:
Not Published
Goal / Objectives:
Not Published
Career Opportunities:
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Entry Requirements:
- Hold a first degree with, at least, Second Class Lower Division in History, African Studies, Political Science/Studies, B.Ed. Arts with History as a Major subject and other cognates of History in the humanities, and also M.A. in History.
- Hold a good first degree in other disciplines (other than the afore mentioned disciplines) but belong to other professional and career groups seeking to obtain advanced historical knowledge and training.
- Have a non-researched Master’s Degree with a CGPA of 2.5 or better (step-up to M.Phil.).
Students reading this course present their research proposals and go on to write an extended essay (thesis) prior to graduation.
Course Code:
HIS 899
No. of Credits:
3
Level:
Level 800
Course Semester:
Second Semester
Select Programme(s):
History
This is designed to provide students with greater insights into the political and social ideas of some of the intellectual greats of Ghana who articulated their ideas and perceptions on the political, economic, and social issues of their day and their prescriptions for addressing them. Authors to study include, S.R.B. Attoh-Ahuma, Reverend C.C. Reindorf, Reverend B. Annaman, J.M. Sarbah, J. E. Casely-Hayford, W.E.G. Sekyi, J.B. Danquah, Kwame Nkrumah, and K.A. Busia of Ghana and two important non-Ghanaian intellectuals – E.W. Blyden and J. Africanus Horton.
Course Code:
HIS 812
No. of Credits:
3
Level:
Level 800
Course Semester:
Second Semester
Select Programme(s):
History
The course enables students to undertake an in-depth study of one of the distinct features of post-independence governance in West Africa. Through detailed analyses of such major themes as independence constitutional framework, problems of economic development and national integration, performance of civilian rulers, restriction of political freedom through one-party systems, conditions predisposing to military take-overs, reaction to military rule – both domestic and foreign, nature of military and one-party rule, co-operation of civilian collaboration, and return to civilian rule – fake or genuine, the course will provide thorough understanding of all features and dimensions the phenomenon of military rule and one-party systems in independent Africa.
Course Code:
HIS 811
No. of Credits:
3
Level:
Level 800
Course Semester:
Second Semester
Select Programme(s):
History
This course introduces students to the main developments in Europe since 1945 i.e. post-war reconstruction, decline of European empires, spread of Communism and the Cold War. The course will provide the background to the understanding of developments in the European colonies in Africa and the outcome of these developments. It explains further why some African leaders joined the Non-Aligned Movement. The course will enable students to appreciate the growing American influence in the world.
Course Code:
HIS 807
No. of Credits:
3
Level:
Level 800
Course Semester:
First Semester
Select Programme(s):
History
This course provides advance training in historical methodology to students. It enables them to understand the nature of history and the various theories and philosophies that frame the discipline. It sharpens their skills in the techniques of historical research and data analysis.
Course Code:
HIS 805
No. of Credits:
3
Level:
Level 800
Course Semester:
First Semester
Select Programme(s):
History
Under this course, students are requested to read on specific themes of their choice and write reports on the readings. The course enables students to develop critical skills in literature review.
Course Code:
HIS 804
No. of Credits:
3
Level:
Level 800
Course Semester:
First Semester
Select Programme(s):
History