Upper Division Courses
HIS-300 The United States Since 1945 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. An analysis of the social, political, economic, and cultural history of the United States during the postwar boom of the 1950s, the turbulent civil rights and student movements of the 1960s, and the conservative reaction of the l980s.
HIS-301 History of American Ideas 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: Permission. An analysis of movements of continuing influence in American social and political thought from the colonial period to the 20th century.
HIS-302 History of U.S. Foreign Policy 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. A study of American foreign policy from 1776 until the present.
HIS-303 The Terror: Radicalism, Language and Violence in the French Revolution, 1789-1795 3.0 cr.
Winter. A study of rhetoric and reactionary politics in France during the Revolution. The course will focus on the conditions and culture that led to the transformative instances of revolutionary violence that have come to define the French Revolution.
HIS-304 The American Westward Movement 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. An introduction to the political, diplomatic, social, economic and cultural events and consequences that occurred between 1607 and the present as Americans moved west.
HIS-306 The American South Since 1865 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. A study of the American South from the defeat of the Confederacy in 1865 until the election of a Southern president in 1976. The course will also examine the history of African-Americans in the South from emancipation until the civil rights movements of the 1960s. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-308 The War in Vietnam& America in the 1960s 3.0 cr.
Winter. A study of the diplomacy and conduct of America's military involvement in Southeast Asia, 1956-1975. The course will also include a study of the domestic turbulence caused by that involvement, specifically focusing on the antiwar movement.
HIS-309 The American Civil War 3.0 cr.
Winter. An introduction to the causes, conduct and consequences of the rebellion of the South, 1861 to 1865.
HIS-310 The 1850s 3.0 cr.
Winter. An examination of the explosive politics and superb cultural achievements in the United States on the eve of the Civil War.
HIS-311 To Kill a King: The English Civil War 1638-1659 3.0 cr.
Winter. An examination of the English political crisis leading from the popish plot and constitutional breakdown to the beheading of Charles I and the rise of the Commonwealth and Protectorate under Oliver Cromwell.
HIS-320 Ancient Latin Language & Literature I 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. An introduction to the basics of Latin grammar and syntax with emphasis on translating classical Latin literature.
HIS-321 Ancient Latin Language & Literature II 3.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq.: HIS-320 or permission. A study of the basics of Latin grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. Students will translate passages from ancient Latin authors as well as read several Latin literary works in translation. Such selections may include Ovid, Vergil, Cicero, and Tacitus. Consideration will also be given to Latin history, art history, and society.
HIS-322 Latin Readings 1.0 cr.
Prereq.: HIS-320 or permission. Reading and translation of Latin texts selected to meet student needs and interests. May be repeated for credit.
HIS-325 Ancient Greek Language & Literature I 3.0 cr.
(Same as REL-325.) Fall. Alt. years. A study of basic Classical and Hellenistic (Koine) Greek grammar and syntax, with primary involvement in the Greek New Testament.
HIS-326 Ancient Greek Language & Literature II 3.0 cr.
(Same as REL-326) Winter. Prereq.: HIS/REL 325. A continuation of HIS/REL-325 with a focus on the translation of selected Greek texts and the use of textual criticism.
HIS-327 Greek Readings 1.0 cr.
Prereq.: HIS-325/REL-325 or permission. (Same as REL-327.) Readings and translation of Greek texts selected to meet student needs and interests. This course is designed to maintain and improve student proficiency in Greek. May be repeated for a total of 4 credits.
HIS-331 Ancient Greece 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. A study of the political, economic and cultural development of the Greek world with readings from Greek authors in translation.
HIS-332 Ancient Rome 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. A study of the history of Rome through the Republic and the Empire.
HIS-334 19th Century Europe: The Industrial Nation & its Discontents 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. An examination of European history in the years between 1815 and 1914. Special attention is given to politics and modern thought in France, Germany and Italy as nations struggled to achieve both industrial growth and domestic stability.
HIS-337 Modern Russia & the USSR 3.0 cr.
An introduction to Russian political and social history from 1815 to the present. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-338 Modern India 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. An introduction to the history and culture of the Indian subcontinent from 16th century Moghul domination to the modern experiences of the world’s largest democracy. Special attention will be given to the impact and legacy of British rule and the response of an ancient eastern cultural and social system to the stresses of modernization. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-339 National Socialism & the Final Solution 3.0 cr.
Winter. An investigation of the political and racial theories of the Nazi Party, which led to the creation of the extermination camps in Europe, 1939 to 1945. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-340 Pre-Modern Chinese History 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. This course will examine the political, economic, and social history of the Chinese empire from its founding until the Ming dynasty. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-341 The Great Depression 3.0 cr.
Winter. An examination of the causes and consequences of the stock market crash of 1929 and the ensuing depression. The course will also investigate the social and political consequences of the Great Drought of the 1930s.
HIS-343 Religion & the State in Late Imperial China 3.0 cr.
This course explores the complex relationship between the Chinese state and Chinese religion during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Over the course of the semester, we will examine the formation and operation of the state cult; the history of institutionalized traditions such as Buddhism and Daoism; the special problem of so-called "popular" religion; and the emergence of sectarian movements such as the Eight Trigram, Taiping, and Boxer rebellions. No prior coursework on China is required, although prior coursework in history or religion is strongly recommended. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-344 Medieval Europe 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. A study of the Medieval world focusing on political, religious and economic change from the waning years of the Roman Empire until the end of the 100 Years War in 1453.
HIS-345 Modern China 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. An introduction to the history and cultures of China from the White Lotus Rebellion of 1796 to disintegration of Maoist-style communism in the 1980s. Emphasis will focus on the challenges of Western imperialism and ideas and the response of an ancient social and cultural system to the pressures of modernization. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-346 Reformation of the 16th Century 3.0 cr.
(Same as REL-346) An examination of the tumultuous changes that rocked Europe between 1517 and 1648, focusing on the interactions between theological, economic, political and personal factors that split the Christian church and changed the Western world.
HIS-347 18th Century Europe: The Fall of the Old Regime 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. An examination of European history in the years between 1688 and 1815. Special attention is given to politics, ideology and social change in France, the Germanic principalities, and the Netherlands as they evolved the military and governmental structures of the modern nation-state.
HIS-348 20th Century Europe: The Trials of Modernity 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. An examination of European history in the years between 1914 and 2000. Special attention is given to the successes and failures of European experiments with democracy, the formation of corporatist means of governing, and the postwar movement toward European unity, especially emphasizing developments in France, Germany and Italy.
HIS-349 Modern European Intellectual History 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. A survey of European intellectual history from the rise of German idealistic philosophy in the early 19th century, through scientific and social scientific developments, to the linguistic turn of the later 20th century.
HIS-350 The British Empire 1756-1960 3.0 cr.
Winter. An examination of the rise and fall of the British Empire from the founding of white settlement colonies in the eighteenth century and the rise of tropical imperialism in the nineteenth to the process of de-colonization in the twentieth century. Emphasis will fall on the culture of empire and its corrosive effects. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-352 England to 1688 3.0 cr.
A study of the development of English political, social, religious and cultural institutions from Stonehenge to the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
HIS-353 Modern Britain 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. A study of British political, social and cultural institutions since 1688. Particular attention is given to the growth of nationalism, empire, democracy, and the welfare state as the United Kingdom developed into a modern nation.
HIS-354 History of Southeast Asia 3.0 cr.
Spring. Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most culturally diverse regions, home to Buddhist, Muslim, Confucian, and Christian civilizations. It boasts ancient monuments of surpassing grandeur and complexity, and today it boasts some of the world’s fastest-growing economies. This course offers an introduction to Southeast Asian history starting from the earliest civilizations, continuing through the colonial conquests, and ending with the various struggles for independence. No prior knowledge of Southeast Asia is required. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-355 Women in Modern East Asian History 3.0 cr.
Alt. years. The objective of this course is to introduce the histories of modern China and Japan as they were experienced by a handful of women in each of those cultures. Readings for the course will consist largely of autobiographical materials that were written or spoken by Chinese and Japanese women, although secondary sources will also be introduced periodically. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-356 Asian Immigrants and the Americas 3.0 cr.
Alt. years. An examination of Asian immigrants in the Americas from early nineteenth to mid-twentieth century. This course will compare and contrast migration patterns, labor systems (including indentured servitude), immigrant communities, and anti-Asian movements in Cuba, Mexico, Peru, and the United States. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-357 Popular Culture in Modern Chinese History 3.0 cr.
Winter. This course examines different aspects of popular culture in modern Chinese history, including food, ritual, architecture, entertainment, social organization, and so forth. No prior knowledge of China is assumed. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-368 Jewish History 3.0 cr.
(Same as REL-368) Prereq.: HIS-101 or 102 or 103 or 105 or 106 or permission. This course will serve as an introduction to the history of the Jewish people from the First Revolt against Rome in 66 A.D. until the reestablishment of the State of Israel. Students will also study the theological, literary and legal texts of the Diaspora (the Jews in Exile, 132 to 1948). (CULTURAL DIVERSITY and HUMANITIES)
HIS-380 Colonial Latin America 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. A study of Latin America from the conquistadors to independence movements. The course will examine social and ethnic groups, cultural practices, and institutions of colonial Latin America. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-381 Military & Society in Latin America 3.0 cr.
Winter. An examination of the military since the colonial period with emphasis on the twentieth-century. The course will investigate international and domestic concerns including the impact of the Cold War and military governments’ confrontations with various sectors of society, including peasants, labor, and women. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-382 Modern Mexico 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. A study of Mexico from the war of independence to the present. Special attention is given to political and social struggles over land, resources, and identity, Mexico’s relationship with the United States, the revolutionary period, and the institutionalization of the Revolution. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-383 Modern Brazil 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. An examination of Brazil from independence to the present. Special attention is given to the development of the African-Brazilian culture, the search for political identity, and the economic struggle for the nation's natural resources.
(CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-384 Modern Japan 3.0 cr.
This course studies modern Japan since the Tokugawa period. It will focus primarily on social, political, economic, and diplomatic events. Special attention will be given to Japan's cultural foundation, the Meiji reform, economic development, the rise of militarism and nationalism, World War II, the American Occupation, and postwar growth.
(CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-385 Cuba & the Caribbean 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. An examination of the greater Caribbean from 1492 to the present. The course will explore colonialism, development of the plantation system, African-Caribbean culture, and relationship with the United States during the twentieth-century. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-399T Special Topics in History 1.0 to 3.0 cr.
Topics not offered in the regular curriculum. See courses listed below.
HIS-399T.1 Liberation Theology 3.0 cr.
(Same as REL-399T.1) Winter. An examination of the Liberation Theology Movement from the 1960s to the present in Latin America. The course will examine the historical context of the movement and consider its impact on the Americas. This course does not count toward any liberal arts core requirement.
HIS-399T.2 Tudor England 3.0 cr.
This course will explore the various political, religious, and cultural changes which England experienced under the reign of the Tudor monarchs. Emphases will include domestic and international political conflicts, England's involvement in the European Reformation, and the rising importance of theater in English society during the sixteenth century.
HIS-399T.5 Modern Tibet 3.0 cr.
The primary objective of this course is to provide an introduction to modern Tibetan history. While much of our attention will be focused on the political history of Tibet during the twentieth century, we will also spend a considerable amount of time examining the social and cultural dimensions of traditional Tibetan life. Over the course of the term, we will cover topics such as nomadic society, Tibetan religion, the Tibetan empire, the rule of Dalai Lamas, the Chinese administration of Tibet, and the Tibetan independence movement. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
HIS-400 Seminar in Historical Methods 3.0 cr.
Spring. Required of seniors majoring in history. An introduction to select topics in the philosophy of history and historiography. Students will also prepare for a comprehensive written examination. This examination will be designed to measure the full range of the history majors' knowledge and analytical skills. (INDEPENDENT WORK)
HIS-480 Senior Thesis: historiography 2.0 cr.
Prereq.: Junior standing and permission. Students will research a major area of historical study and write a substantial evaluative essay on its historiography. The department must approve the topic.
HIS-481 Senior Honors Thesis: monograph 4.0 cr.
Prereq.: HIS-480. Students will research, write and present a scholarly paper on a topic of their choosing. (INDEPENDENT WORK)
HIS-494 Independent Study 1.0 to 3.0 cr.
Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: Permission. Reading or research in history as approved by the instructor. See independent study guidelines. (INDEPENDENT WORK)
HIS-497 Internship 1.0 to 3.0 cr.
Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: Permission. Individually arranged work designed to provide practical experience. An extended analysis of the experience is required and periodic reports may be assigned. See internship guidelines. (INDEPENDENT WORK)
Off-Campus Interdisciplinary Study Courses for Academic Year 2008-2009:
IND-307.01 London: Art, Architecture, Literature 2.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq.: Permission. This course is a prerequisite for the winter session off-campus study course IND307.02 of the same name. An interdisciplinary study of the history, art, architecture, literature, and culture of 19th- and 20th-century London as reflected in the literature, memoirs, art, periodicals, and other public documents of the day. The course will consider the central place of London as an imperial metropole and its continuing existence as a city operating at the center of an emerging modern world leisure economy. Credits earned in IND 307.01 and its companion course, IND 307.02, may be applied in the following ways: students may earn three credits in any two of the following LAC's: Humanities (Literature), Fine Arts, or Cultural Diversity. Alternatively, students majoring or minoring in History, English or Fine Arts may apply three IND 307 credits towards these majors or minors. Students majoring in History, English, or Fine Arts who wish to apply more than three credits towards their majors must speak to course instructors by the end of the first week of IND 307.01 class for further information.
IND-307.02 London: Art, Architecture, Literature 4.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq.: IND-307.01 An interdisciplinary study of the history, art, architecture, literature, and culture of 19th- and 20th-century London as reflected in the literature, memoirs, art, periodicals, and other public documents of the day. The course will consider the central place of London as an imperial metropole and its continuing existence as a city operating at the center of an emerging modern world leisure economy. The central three weeks of the course will be conducted in London. Credits earned in IND 307.01 and its companion course, IND 307.02, may be applied in the following ways: students may earn three credits each in any two of the following LACs: Humanities (Literature), Fine Arts, or Cultural Diversity. Alternatively, students majoring or minoring in History, English or Fine Arts may apply three IND 307 credits towards these majors or minors. Students majoring in History, English, or Fine Arts who wish to apply more than three credits towards their majors must speak to course instructors by the end of the first week of IND 307.01 class for further information.