Course Descriptions
HIST 101 - World Civilizations to 1500
3 credits
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 Discussions focus on development of critical thinking and writing skills through examination of primary historical documents.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 credits
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 Discussions focus on development of critical thinking and writing skills through examination of primary historical documents.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 121 - American History to 1877
3 credits
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 122 - American History from 1877
3 credits
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 261 - Introduction to the Study of History
1 credit
HIST 262 - Introduction to the Study of History
1 credit
HIST 282 - Selected Topics
1 credit
HIST 301 - The Greco-Roman World
4 credits
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 - Medieval Europe and the Mediterranean World
4 credits
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 307 - Modern Europe, 1815 to Present
4 credits
A study of European states, institutions, thought and culture since the Congress of Vienna.
HIST 311 - The Revolutions of Modern Europe
4 credits
An examination of the history of modern Europe through the study of some of its most important revolutions. Focuses on the Scientific, English, French, Industrial and Russian revolutions as well as the Enlightenment and 1848. Also includes theories and ideas of revolutionary change and some comparisons with revolutions outside Europe.
HIST 313 - Europe and Empire: Spain, England, and France
4 credits
This course uses the imperial histories of Spain, England, and France to address how European imperialism helped to structure the modern world, anticipating today’s globalization. It explores the impact of imperialism and colonialism on peoples and institutions both in Europe and in the rest of the world.
HIST 314 - Modern German History
4 credits
A survey of German history from 1648 to the present day, focusing on cultural, social, political and religious developments, and studied through primary sources and literary texts. Particular attention will be given to the rise of German national consciousness in the 19th century and the roots of militarism, as well as the underlying causes of the rise of Nazism. Germany’s leading role in the “new Europe” will also be considered.
HIST 316 - Scandinavian History
4 credits
A survey of the history of the Nordic countries and the Baltic region from medieval to modern times, focusing on the Viking era, the Christianization of the North, the rise of the Hanseatic League and medieval trade, the Reformation in Scandinavia, and the rise of national identities in the 19th century. Scandinavia’s role in 20th century Europe and its influence in and contributions to today’s world will also be considered.
HIST 317 - War and Conflict in 20th Century Europe
4 credits
Why was the 20th century perhaps the bloodiest in human history? This course explores the origins, practice and outcomes of modern warfare in Europe, including the influence of ideology and philosophy as well as politics and economics. Although detailed attention is given to World War I and II, it treats warfare in its broadest possible manifestation, and examines some of the longer term socio-political, economic and moral consequences of modern wars for Europe and the world.
HIST 321 - Colonial America
4 credits
An exploration of the conflict of cultures during the formative years of the United States from settlement to the Constitution in 1789. Topics include Pre-Columbian Indian cultures, the empire builders of the New World, the environmental impact of the Western Europeans, the development of colonial society and the establishment of the new nation.
HIST 324 - U.S. Social History in the 19th Century
4 credits
A study of the development of the United States from the Constitution to World War I. Significant intellectual and cultural changes are emphasized including the impact of the frontier and the policy toward the Amerindians, the impact of Darwin and Marx, the changes of immigration and industrialization, and the development of a distinct “American culture” and civil religion.
HIST 326 - The Era of the Civil War: from Slavery to Civil Rights
4 credits
An examination of sectionalism, Civil War and the Reconstruction with emphasis on primary source 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 from Reconstruction to the modern civil rights movement.
HIST 328 - Cold War America: Presidents and Policy
4 credits
A close examination of modern United States history during the Cold War and after. Class sessions give attention to the political, social, economic and international developments of what has been termed “the Pax Americana.” Focus is specifically on the role of presidents and policymaking, particularly the relationship with the Soviet Union.
HIST 331 - History of Christianity I: Ancient and Medieval
4 credits
A survey of the emergence, growth and development of the Christian church from the time of the apostles to the great schism of the 14th century, including such topics as the development of worship, theology and structure, the conflicts between Greek and Latin Christians, the role of the church as a bearer of culture, the rise of the papacy, and the impact of Christianity on the social and political development of Europe. (cross-listed with Religion 331)
HIST 332 - History of Christianity II: Reform and Reformation
4 credits
A survey of Christian history in the West from the 14th to the 17th century, focusing particularly on reform movements in late-medieval Christianity, the rise of biblical humanism, the Protestant and Catholic reformations of the 16th century, the increasingly tense relationship between religion and science in the early modern period, and the role of religion in fostering national identity and political change. (cross-listed with Religion 332)
HIST 333 - History of Christianity III: Modern Challenges
4 credits
A survey of the continuing impact of Christianity in the modern West, with particular attention to the challenges presented by the Enlightenment, the age of revolutions, and the scientific and economic developments of the 19th century. Primary emphasis will be placed on the European experience of Christianity, but some attention will also be given to European missionary efforts and global Christianity in the modern era. (cross-listed with Religion 333)
HIST 335 - Christianity in America
4 credits
A survey of the history of Christianity in North America, against the backdrop of Native American religion. Beginning with the English, French and Spanish colonial empires, this course will focus on the arrival of religious refugees, the rise of uniquely American religious experiences in the colonial era and the early Republic, religion and American political movements from abolition to abortion, and the complex role of religion in American public life today. (cross-listed with Religion 334)
HIST 341 - U.S. Women's History
4 credits
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 343 - Women in World History
4 credits
A thematic investigation of the “underside of history.” The class explores several topics including women and their role in the development of agriculture and technology in the ancient Near East, the roles of women in the empires of Rome, the Moslems and China, the status of women in the Middle Ages in Europe and Japan, and the role of women leaders like Catherine the Great and Queen Victoria.
HIST 345 - California History
3 credits
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. The class particularly focuses on the relationship of the student to the community.
HIST 382 - History and Politics of Latin America
4 credits
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. (crosslisted with Political Science 382)
HIST 384 - History and Politics of the Modern Middle East
4 credits
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. (crosslisted with Political Science 384)
HIST 386 - History and Politics of South Asia
4 credits
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 386)
HIST 388 - History and Politics of East Asia
4 credits
An introduction to the history, 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 388)
HIST 461 - History and Historians (Capstone)
4 credits
A study of the theories of history, the methods of historical research and the development of historical writing.
HIST 462 - Senior Seminar in Comparative/ Interdisciplinary History
4 credits
An intensive study of an important historical issue or topic based on research in primary sources and culminating in the production of a significant research paper. Rotating topics.
HIST 470 - Teaching History (Capstone for Social Science majors)
2 credits
This class is dedicated to forging better history teachers for the secondary schools with explorations of pedagogical techniques for teaching American and World history. Includes observation time in the classroom.
HIST 482 - Selected Topics
1 credit
HIST 490 - Independent Study
1 credit
HIST 492 - Internship
1 credit
( graded P/NC only )
