Curriculum
HIST 101 World Civilization to 1500 [3]
Designed to give students a framework for further study in humanities, this course is a survey of the major civilizations and developments in world history to 1500, emphasizing the role of world religions, technological innovations and environmental conditions in shaping the world's major cultural traditions. Discussions focus on development of critical thinking and writing skills through examination of primary historical documents.
HIST 102 World Civilizations Since 1500 [3]
Studies the history of an increasingly interdependent world from 1500 to the present, emphasizing the origins and reasons for Western dominance and the impact of and reaction to that dominance in the rest of the world. Discussions focus on development of critical thinking and writing skills through examination of primary historical documents.
HIST 201 American History to 1877 [3]
A broad study of American history from the first settlements through Reconstruction. Special attention is given to the attempt to create an American culture and society, the creation and development of the political system, the shifting roles of women and minority groups, the sectional crisis and Civil War and the postwar attempt to deal with the place of blacks in American society.
HIST 202 American istory from 1877 [3]
A broad study of American history from Reconstruction to the present. Special attention is given to the impact of industrialization and urbanization, the changing roles of social classes and minority groups, the experience of the Depression and the persistent attempts at reform and America's rise to global power, including relations with the Communist world.
HIST 282 Selected Topics [1-4]
HIST 301 The Greco-Roman World [4]
A study of classical civilization from the origins of ancient Greece to the fall of the Roman Empire in the West. Emphasizes the development of the political and legal institutions, forms of cultural expression and the intellectual traditions that have helped shape Western civilization.
HIST 303 The Medieval World [4]
Covers the history of Europe from the collapse of the Roman Empire through the 15th century. Topics include the role of the Christian Church, the development of political and economic corporate institutions and relations with Byzantine and Muslim civilizations.
HIST 305 The Rise of Modern Europe, 1500 to 1815 [4]
A study of the rise of the modern state, modern capitalism and modern thought in Europe from the Protestant Reformation through the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution and the Revolution of the Mind in Germany.
HIST 307 Modern Europe, 1815 to Present [4]
A study of European states, institutions, thought and culture since the Congress of Vienna.
HIST 314 Hitler's Germany [4]
A study of the rise and fall of Adolf Hitler and National Socialism in Germany from the beginning of the Weimar Republic to the end of World War II.
HIST 315 Modern Russian History [4]
A study of the structural and intellectual development of Muscovite, Imperial and Soviet Russia and its successor states.
HIST 321 American Colonial History [4]
An examination of the origins and formative years of the United States from settlement to the Constitution in 1789. Topics include pre-Columbian Indian cultures, the empire builders in the New World, environmental impact of the Western European culture, development of colonial society and establishment of a new nation.
HIST 323 The Era of the Civil War [4]
An examination of sectionalism, the Civil War and Reconstruction with emphasis on problems of interpretation. Topics include racism and slavery, the contrasting natures of Northern and Southern societies, the politics of sectionalism, the causes and goals of the Civil War and racial relationships and policies during the Reconstruction period.
HIST 325 ModernAmerica [4]
An examination of American history from 1900 to the present, with emphasis on problems of interpretation. The course examines changes in American life brought about by depression, reform and war. Current economical, political, social and foreign policy problems are also considered in a historical context.
HIST 327 American Intellectual History [4]
A study of the principal systems of ideas about God, human nature and society that have been at work in American history from colonial times to the present. Emphasis is placed on the expression of these ideas in the primary documents of American thought.
HIST 329 History of American Foreign Policy [4]
A study of American foreign policy from colonial times to the present with emphasis on problems of interpretation. Topics include isolationism and expansion, America's rise to power, the nature of American imperialism, the causes of participation in wars and the development of the Cold War. Attention is given to the domestic forces that help shape foreign policy.
HIST 334 California History [3]
A study of the history of California through the Indian, Spanish, Mexican and American periods to the present and through an examination of its basic political, social, economic, educational and cultural traditions and institutions.
HIST 341 U.S. Social History: Women and Community [4]
An in-depth investigation of the interaction of society, women and the community in American history from 1600 to the present. Special emphasis is placed on the ways gender, ethnicity and class influence the role of women in the community with respect to legal rights, sexuality, attitudes and perceptions.
HIST 441 History and Politics of East Asia [4]
An introduction to the political thought and institutions of East Asia. Primary attention is paid to China, which traditionally had a strong influence on the pattern of political development in the region and today seeks to renew its influence. (cross-listed with Political Science 441)
HIST 442 History and Politics of Latin America [4]
Surveys the politics and history of Latin America from the early encounters of Native Americans with Europeans to the present. The evolution of Latin American institutions (political, cultural and economic) will be traced from 1492 until the present. (cross-listed with Political Science 442)
HIST 444 History and Politics of the Modern Middle East [4]
An examination of the historical background and contemporary politics of this vital area in world affairs. The politics and economics of oil, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the revival of Islam and the problems of modernization and development are studied in detail. (cross-listed with Political Science 444)
HIST 451 History and Politics of South Asia [4]
An examination of the history, culture and politics of South Asia through the Hindu, Muslim and British periods to the present. The impact of these legacies on the problems of state-building, economic development, social change and foreign policy in contemporary India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal is approached from a comparative and regional perspective. (cross-listed with Political Science 451)
HIST 461 History and Historians (Capstone) [4]
A study of the theories of history, the methods of historical research and the development of historical writing.
HIST 475 The Modern American Presidency ( Capstone ) [4]
A proseminar on the presidency of the United States, this class focuses on the evolution of the office itself, as well as those who have occupied it since FDR. Attention is directed to research methods in the discipline of history, biographical study, cultural examinations and media presentations using primary and secondary courses. Archival work in the presidential libraries is stressed. Prerequisite: two upper division history classes.
HIST 482 Selected Topics [1-4]
HIST 490 Independent Study [1-4]
HIST 492 Internship [1-4]
( graded P/NC only )