Course Descriptions—World and Comparative
HIS 101 World History to 1500
Exploration of the origins of human civilization and the development of individual civilizations across the world. Emphasis will be on the major old-world areas of civilization and their connections with each other. An effort will be made to develop a conceptual framework for analyzing different civilizations comparatively so as to highlight meaningful similarities and differences among them. This course, along with History 102, is especially recommended to those students planning to take their first college-level history course. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Credits: 1
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HIS 102 World History since 1500
This course traces the increasing interdependence of the world’s different
civilizations as improved communications tie more of the world closely
together. This will involve explaining the transformations wrought upon
different areas by industrailization and the reactions this process has
created across the globe. This course, along with History 101, is
especially recommended to those students planning to take their first
college-level history course. This course is offered in the spring
semester and some fall semesters.
Credits: 1
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HIS 200 Topics in World and Comparative History
One-half or one course credit.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 201 The World from 1945-present
The focus of this course will be global in perspective, seeking to show
how World War II shaped the development of various continents and nations.
Topics will include: anti-imperialism and the emergence of Third World
nations, the evolution of super-powers, world-wide economic and
technological change, and the continuing threat of nuclear war.
Credits: 1
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HIS 260 Topics in Asian History
One-half or one course credit.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 261 Classical and Imperial China to 1911
A survey of the early history of China from its first dynasties (Shang,
Chou) to its last (Ch'ing). This course will examine the complex internal
dynamics that came to shape its peoples and institutions. External forces
on China's past, before, during, and after sustained contact with the rest
of Asia (Buddhism, for instance, and the Mongols) and the West (Marco Polo
and the White Lotus and Boxer Rebellions), will be given special
attention. Emphasis on social, cultural, economic, and military
developments. Extended analysis of primary source documents, web-based
materials, and film through the complex and often contradictory
perspectives of age, gender, ethnicity, and class will be a major focus.
Strong geographic component. This course is offered some fall semesters.
Credits: 1
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HIS 262 Modern China from 1911 to the Present
A survey of modern China, in three thematic parts. The first section will
examine the end of the Ch'ing Dynasty and the emergence of Nationalism
through the end of the Second World War. Part two, the rise of Chinese
Communism and the fate of Chairman Mao tse-tung will be explored in depth,
through the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. The third
phase delves into contemporary China through the Tiananmen Square Uprising
to the present. Extended analysis of primary source documents, web-based
materials, and film through the complex and often contradictory
perspectives of age, gender, ethnicity, and class will be a major focus.
Strong geographic component. This course is offered some spring semesters.
Credits: 1
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HIS 270 Topics in African History
One-half or one course credit.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 271 African History to 1885
Precolonial African history, focusing on the sociocultural, economic, and
political realities of sub-Saharan societies between the neolithic Period
and the Partitioning of the Continent by European powers inaugurated in
1885. Special emphasis will be placed on the tools scholars use to write
African history, with particular reference to oral tradition, linguistic
and archaeological evidence, and the material cultural record. Important
themes include the indigenous, trans-Saharan, and trans-Atlantic slave
trades, gender, the role of women in African history, Islam, art, and
music. Course will culminate in regional vistas of Africa on the event of
imperialist expansion of European powers. Expanding general geographic
knowledge will be highly encouraged. This course is offered some fall
semesters.
Credits: 1
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HIS 272 African History from 1885
The period from the European Partition of Africa in 1885 to
Postindependence was one of the most significant and drastic eras of
change for Africans. Their relationship with the Western world
fundamentally altered African lifeways, drawing them into a global wage
labor economy, and seeing them interact in new ways with migration, the
World at War, and the Colonial Endeavor. This course will explore these
changes through the use of video, primary and secondary source materials,
CD-ROMs, art and material culture, and music. Expanding general geographic
knowledge will be highly encouraged. This course is offered some spring
semesters.
Credits: 1
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HIS 300 Advanced Topics, World and Comparative History
This course provides opportunities for small group and independent work in intensive study of selected topics in world and comparative history. Since the content of this course varies from semester to semester, it may be repeated for credit upon the instructor’s approval. One-half or one course credit, either semester.
Prerequisite: Previous course work in world history or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 301 Craft and Theory of World History
This is an upper level course in world history. Students will read secondary literature about world history and will read world history textbooks more for historiographical analysis than for content. Emphasis will therefore be on the theories and practices of world history; students will be expected to produce a significant term paper focusing either on a curricular proposal for a world history course or on an historiographical analysis of current trends and developments in the field. Prerequisite: previous work in world history or consent of instructor. This course is offered alternate spring semesters.
Prerequisite: previous work in world history or consent of instructor.
Credits: 1
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HIS 370 Advanced Topics in African History
This course provides opportunities for small group and independent work in intensive study of selected topics in world and comparative history. Since the content of this course varies from semester to semester, it may be repeated for credit upon the instructor’s approval. One-half or one course credit, either semester.
Prerequisite: Previous course work or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1/2
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Course Descriptions—Europe
HIS 210 Topics in Ancient History
One-half or one course credit.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 211 Ancient History: Greece
(CLA 105)
[Same as CLA 105] A survey of Greek history from the end of the Bronze Age (ca. 1100 B.C.) to the time of the Roman conquest of the Greek world (first century B.C.). Emphasis is on the origin, evolution, and problems of the most important Greek political-social-cultural structure, the polis or “city-state.” This course is offered in alternate fall semesters.
Credits: 1
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HIS 212 Ancient History: Rome
(CLA 106)
[Same os CLA 106] A survey of Roman history from the Etruscan period (6th and 5th centuries B.C.) to the transformation of the Roman world to the Medieval (4th and 5th centuries A.D.). Emphasis is on the origins, nature, effects, and evolution of imperialism in Roman politics, culture, and society. This course is offered in alternate spring semesters.
Credits: 1
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HIS 220 Topics in Medieval and Early Modern Europe
One-half or one course credit.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 221 Medieval Europe, 400-1400
The history of Europe from ca. 400 to ca. 1400, focusing on Latin
Christendom. The course traces the creation of the medieval synthesis out
of elements of late Roman and Germanic societies and the dissolution of
that synthesis in the troubles of the 14th century. Emphasis is on
examining economic, institutional, and social structures and the
historical context of medieval cultural production through examination of
primary sources. This course is offered in alternate fall semesters.
Credits: 1
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HIS 222 Early Modern Europe, 1400-1800
Europe from the breakup of the medieval world to the dawn of the modern age. The course traces the transformations of all aspects of European life—economic organization, state structures, religious institutions and sentiments, and intellectual outlooks—with an emphasis on different historiographical approaches and analysis of secondary sources, especially monographs. This course is offered in the fall semester, 2004 and alternate years.
Credits: 1
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HIS 230 Topics in Modern Europe
One-half or one course credit.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 231 19th Century Europe
This survey will cover events in European history from the French
Revolution to the end of the 19th century. It will explore nationalism,
utopianism, Europe's quest for colonial expansion, and the rise of the
Industrial Revolution. In addition to these vast issues, the course also
examines developments in social history including family life, change in
urban areas, health, medicine, and gender. This course is offered some
fall semesters.
Credits: 1
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HIS 232 20th Century Europe
This survey will examine significant events in European history from 1900
to the end of the twentieth century. The course will cover circumstances
leading to World War I, the rise of fascism, and World War II. The survey
ends with a discussion of the Cold War, its ultimate demise, and nuclear
legacy. Since there was more to the twentieth century than military
history, the class will also consider how European societies reacted to
war and will focus on life on the home front, gender relations, cultural
change, and consumerism. This course is offered some spring semesters.
Credits: 1
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HIS 235 Topics in Economics History: European
(ECO 213)
[Same as Econ 214]
Credits: 1
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HIS 236 History of Economic Thought
[Same as Econ 205]
Credits: 1
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HIS 310 Advanced Topics, Ancient History
(CLA 230)
This course provides opportunities for small group and independent work in intensive study of selected topics in Ancient history. Since the content of this course varies from semester to semester, it may be repeated for credit upon the instructor’s approval. One-half or one course credit, either semester.
Prerequisite: Previous course work in ancient history or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 320 Advanced Topics, Medieval and Early Modern Europe
This course provides opportunities for small group and independent work in intensive study of selected topics in medieval and early modern European history. Since the content of this course varies from semester to semester, it may be repeated for credit upon the instructor’s approval. One-half or one course credit, either semester.
Prerequisite: Previous course work in medieval or early modern Europe or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 330 Advanced Topics, Modern Europe
This course provides opportunities for small group and independent work in intensive study of selected topics in modern European history. Since the content of this course varies from semester to semester, it may be repeated for credit upon the instructor’s approval. One-half or one course credit, either semester.
Prerequisite: Previous course work in modern Europe or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 334 Russia, 1860-present
The reforms of Alexander II; the rise of Russian revolutionary movements; the revolutions of 1905 and 1917; abdication of the Czar; victory of the Bolsheviks; the “dictatorship of the proletariat”; organization of the Soviet Union; and the era of Stalin and events since his death are some of the major topics considered. Recommended for upperclassmen or with the consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1
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Course Descriptions—Americas
HIS 141 America to 1877
An introduction to American history and to the departmental Core Goals in the process of historical investigation and understanding. Students will learn the basic facts and conceptual themes involved in Native Indian cultures, Puritanism, the American Revolution, the New Nation, expansionism, slavery, reform, Civil War and Reconstruction. The course focuses on significant landmark political events, but also on the everyday experiences and social history of women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups. This course is offered some fall semesters.
Credits: 1
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HIS 142 America since 1877
The emphasis is upon some of the major issues in American politics and
society since 1877: the growth of big business; changes in the lives of
farmers, workers, and immigrants; the rise of the city; reform movements
among rural and urban labor and among minority groups. In addition to
studying national history and the emergence of America as a world power,
students will have an opportunity to investigate their own family
histories. This course is offered some spring semesters.
Credits: 1
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HIS 240 Topics in American History
One-half or one course credit.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 244 African-American History
Emphasis on three crucial periods: slavery, Reconstruction and its aftermath, and the civil rights and Black liberation movements of the 1960s. Relations between Blacks and Whites will be examined through the reading and discussion of classic African-American texts by Douglass, Jacobs, Washington, DuBois, Wright, Angelou, Moody, Walker, Malcolm X, King, Baldwin, Gates, and others. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Credits: 1
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HIS 245 Topics in Economic History: American
(ECO 214)
[Same as Econ 213]
Credits: 1
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HIS 250 Topics in Latin American History
One-half or one course credit.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 252 Peoples and Nations of Latin America
A survey of the history of Latin America from Pre-Columbian times through
the Wars of Independence and the national period to the current day. This
course will examine the various internal dynamics and external influences
that have shaped the experiences of the countries of Latin America since
independence. Emphasis on socio economic structures as the conditioning
environment for political and cultural developments. A major focus will
be historical analysis of scholarly monographs and primary source
documents. This course is offered alternate spring semesters.
Credits: 1
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HIS 340 Advanced Topics, American History
This course provides opportunities for small group and independent work in intensive study of selected topics in American history. Since the content of this course varies from semester to semester, it may be repeated for credit upon the instructor’s approval. One-half or one course credit either semester.
Prerequisite: Previous course work in American history or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 350 Advanced Topics, Latin America
This course provides opportunities for small group and independent work in intensive study of selected topics in Latin American history. Since the content of this course varies from semester to semester, it may be repeated for credit upon the instructor’s approval. One-half or one course credit, either semester.
Prerequisite: Previous course work in Latin America or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1/2
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Course Descriptions—Departmental
HIS 187 Independent Study
Open to history majors with permission of the instructor and the department chair. Level of the course (100, 200 or 300) determined by the instructor. One-half or one course credit each semester.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 188 Independent Study
Open to history majors with permission of the instructor and the department chair. Level of the course (100, 200 or 300) determined by the instructor. One-half or one course credit each semester.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 287 Independent Study
Open to history majors with permission of the instructor and the department chair. Level of the course (100, 200 or 300) determined by the instructor. One-half or one course credit each semester.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 288 Independent Study
Open to history majors with permission of the instructor and the department chair. Level of the course (100, 200 or 300) determined by the instructor. One-half or one course credit each semester.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 387 Independent Study
Open to history majors with permission of the instructor and the department chair. Level of the course (100, 200 or 300) determined by the instructor. One-half or one course credit each semester.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 388 Independent Study
Open to history majors with permission of the instructor and the department chair. Level of the course (100, 200 or 300) determined by the instructor. One-half or one course credit each semester.
Credits: 1/2
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HIS 497 Philosophy and Craft of History
This course is required of all majors in history and should be taken in
the junior year. Students have an opportunity to read different examples
of historical writing and to examine the philosophical and methodological
assumptions which underlie the historian’s craft. This course is offered
in the fall and spring semester.
Credits: 1
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HIS 498 Research Seminar
All history majors must take this course in the fall semester of their
senior year, while other juniors or seniors are welcome to enroll, with
the consent of the instructor. Topics will vary from year to year, with an
emphasis on research techniques, small group discussions, conferences with
the instructor, and independent development of individual projects. This
course is offered in the fall semester.
Credits: 1
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