Master of Arts course in Hospitaller studies in October

A post-graduate course in the history of the Order of St John will be launched this October by the Department of History of the University of Malta in collaboration with the Malta Institute of Cultural Studies.

Spread over three semesters as a late afternoon course, it will lead to the degree of Master of Arts in history. The course will be held at the University campus, Tal-Qroqq, but special arrangements have been made for candidates residing in Gozo.

Early modern history professor Victor Mallia-Milanes, the mastermind behind the course and its coordinator, described the initiative as "an exceptional opportunity for all those, young and not so young, who wish to further their studies in the spectacular history of the Order of St John, taught by highly distinguished international scholars in the field".

Candidates should be in possession of a first degree classified at least as second class honours or category II.

The first degree need not necessarily be in history.

Two sessions, each lasting two hours, will be held three times a week, normally Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. However, both the days and the lecturing hours may change if necessary.

The course will have six study units: the Mediterranean world from the First Crusade to 1789; the Military Orders and the Holy Land, to c. 1300; the Order of the Hospital - the Rhodian Phase, c. 1310-1522; the Order of the Hospital - the Maltese Phase, 1523-1798; the medical, naval, and military history of the Order of St John and the Hospitaller Commandery.

The deadline for applications is July 24.

Further information can be obtained from the departmental secretary on 2340 2295, or from Prof. Mallia-Milanes, Department of History, University of Malta, on 2340 2297/2132 2885 or via e-mail at victor.mallia-milanes@um.edu.mt.