College of Arts and Sciences
History
Professor William Wright, Head
1414 -History (B.A.)
- General Education (see for list of approved courses)
- Rhetoric and Composition: English 121, 122 (6 hours)
- Mathematics: One approved mathematics course (3 hours)
- Statistics: One approved statistics course (3 hours)
- Natural Sciences: Two approved natural science courses, at least one including a laboratory component (7-8 hours)
- Humanities and Fine Arts: Two approved humanities and fine arts courses, one from fine arts and one from either (6 hours)
- Cultures and Civilizations: History 103*, 104* and 105* (9 hours total)
- Behavioral and Social Sciences: Two approved behavioral or social science courses in two different disciplines (6 hours)
- Foreign Language: Through second college year in one foreign language
- Completion of a minor with a minimum 2.0 grade point average.
Major Requirements
39 hours in history including 103†, 104†, 105†, 203†, 204, and 301. At least one course (three hours) will be taken from each of the following categories of study:
- American History: 331, 332, 335, 336, 337, 338, 341, 343, 346
- European History: 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 317, 318, 319, 320, 323, 324, 327
- Non-Western History: 364, 365, 367, 368, 370, 371, 372, 375, 376
- 400-level courses: 401, 411 412, 415, 416, 419, 422 (400-level courses are topical courses that may be taught as seminars in which enrollment will be limited to 15 students.)
The following special topics courses may be approved by the department head for credit in the most appropriate regional category: 385r, 350, 499r.
- 2.0 average in all history courses
- Minimum of 39 hours of 300 and 400 level courses
- Electives to complete 120 hours
Additional requirements.
†Also satisfies general education requirements.
4581 - HISTORY MINOR
A minor in history consists of 18 hours in history including either 104 and 105 or 203 and 204 and at least three hours in each of the following areas at the 300 level or above:
- American History: 331, 332, 335, 336, 337, 338, 341, 343, 346
- European History: 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 317, 318, 319, 323, 324, 327
- Non-Western History: 364, 365, 367, 368, 370, 371, 372, 375, 376
The following special-topics courses may be approved by the department head for credit in the most appropriate regional category: 385r, 350, 499r.
- Electives to complete 18 hours,
- Minimum 2.0 average in history courses.
HISTORY COURSES (HIST)
103 World Civilizations I: World History from the Origins to c. 1000 (3)
This course will introduce students to human achievements of civilizations and cultures in Eurasia, Africa, and the Americas from the origins of civilization to about the year 1000. Rather than taking a strictly chronological approach, it will focus more on the emerging cultures or traditions as expressions of their time and place. The creation of myths, gods and goddesses, Hellenism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Latin Christianity, and Islam will be examined as value systems that gave meaning and organization to human life, reflected in political, social, technological, and artistic achievements. It will also show that these traditions constrained human alternatives, providing a kind of cultural hegemony within cultures, and that these traditions remain important in our modern world. Every semester. Co- or prerequisite: English 121.
104 World Civilizations II: World History from c. 1000 to 1800 (3)
This course will show how rising wealth and expanding material culture in Southeast China and Northwestern Europe, and the Eurasian impact of the Mongols led to a dynamic global interaction. The demand for commodities stimulated exploration, trade, and imperialism. The course will examine feudalism in Western Europe and Japan, the great imperial states of Eurasia, Africa, and the Americas, and colonialism in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, as well as the rise of the modern state and capitalism. It will show how global cultures mutually interacted, traditions changed and constrained, and what social, cultural, artistic, and intellectual changes occurred. Every semester. Prerequisite: English 121 & History 103. Formerly History 101; There is no prerequisite when taking 104 for 101 equivalent.
105 World Civilizations III: World History from c. 1800 to the Present (3)
A chronological study of how world cultures respond to industrialization and the impact this process had on the world outside of Northwestern Europe, showing the origins of modern economic inequality and the “great division” of the world into rich and poor regions. It will consider the spread of the nation-state idea, the rise of modern science, the impact of a global economy, and the advent of mass destruction in the World Wars. Ethnicity and nationalism, migration, the changing role of women, mass culture, and international problems will be considered. The tension between traditional values and materialism, technology and environmental problems, and the search for both continuity and change are also topics.Every semester. Co-Prerequisite: History 104 ; prerequisite: English 121. Formerly History 102; There is no prerequisite when taking 105 for 102 equivalent.
114 Heroes and Villains (3)
A biographical approach to world history. Personalities and their roles in shaping the modern world, to be selected from a variety of fields of human activity: politics, science, philosophy, religion, economics, war, etc. Attention given to interpretations concerning the role of individuals in history. Every semester.
120r Historical Themes (3)
An analysis of some topic of contemporary significance from an historical perspective. The theme under study to be viewed in a number of historical settings to add insights to our understanding of the present. On demand.
199r Special Projects (1-4)
Individual or group projects. Every semester. Maximum credit 4 hours.
203, 204 United States History (3, 3)
A survey of American History from the age of discovery to the present, with special attention to the peoples, ideas, and cultures that created the United States. First semester to 1865; second semester since 1865. Co- or prerequisite, English 121.
208 Introduction to Asian Civilizations: China and Japan (3)
A survey of the major trends of Chinese and Japanese history. Emphasis placed on traditional cultural values, periods of power and greatness, problems of modernization, and recent developments. Students should gain perspective on current conditions in China and Japan. On demand.
210 Western Christianity Since 1,000 (3)
The origins and development of Christian doctrines, church structures, political relationships and social teachings in the West; from c.1000 through the early twentieth century. On demand. May be registered as Religion 210.
221 Science, Technology, and Society in the Industrial Age (3)
An historical examination of the impact of scientific and technological change in Western society since the advent of the Industrial Revolution. On demand.
301 Seminars in History (3)
A seminar primarily intended for junior majors in history or education - social studies with a history concentration. Focusing on specific topics in American, European, or non-Western history, the course introduces students to historiographical debate, analysis of historical evidence, and current historical methodologies. Every semester. Prerequisite: 12 hours in history or approval of the instructor.
310 The Greco-Roman World (3)
The history, culture, and lifestyles of the ancient Greeks and Romans. On demand. May be registered as Classics 310.
311, 312 Medieval Europe (3, 3)
Europe from the fall of the Roman Empire to the Italian Renaissance; the first semester emphasizing the formation of medieval institutions to c. 1200; the second semester stressing the shattering of the medieval synthesis. On demand.
313 The Age of the Renaissance (3)
Economic, social, artistic, and political developments, 1300-1500; Italian Humanism; Christian Humanism; and ferment in the Church. Fall semester alternate years.
314 The Age of the Reformation (3)
Religious, political, social, and economic factors involved in the Protestant and Catholic Reformations in the 16th century. Spring semester alternate years.
315 Early Modern Europe, 1600-1750 (3)
Religious, political, economic, and social development in this period of contradiction and intellectual ferment; Puritans, counter-Reformation; Constitutionalism, Absolutism; Scientific Revolution, the Baroque in the arts. Fall semester alternate years.
317 The Era of the French Revolution and Napoleon (3)
Developments leading to the French Revolution and the fall of the monarchy, the noble resurgence and the phases of the revolution; accomplishments and failures of the revolution; Napoleon Bonaparte as heir to the Bourbons and the Enlightenment and Revolution, and as a social engineer. Spring semester alternate years.
318 Europe in the Nineteenth Century (3)
Europe from the creation of the Napoleonic Empire to the outbreak of World War I; the development and failure of the Congress System; the operation of the balance of power and international relations; national consolidation and domestic political developments, the rise of imperialism, and the spread of industrial society. Fall semester alternate years.
319 Europe in the Twentieth Century (3)
Political, economic, and social development of the European states from the outbreak of World War I to the present. Special attention given to the problems of world wars and reconstruction, with development of conflicting ideologies, the impact of worldwide depression, the decline of European colonial systems, and the diplomacy of the Cold War. Spring semester alternate years.
320 Under Hitler’s Shadow: Europe 1929-1945 (3)
A comparative approach to the study of Europe from the outbreak of the economic depression in 1929 to the end of the second World War in 1945. Beginning with the rise of the National Socialist party, it examines political, cultural, and economic affairs in other areas of Europe, and the consequences of Hitler’s increasingly brash foreign policy. The course also focuses on WWII in Europe, focusing on the subjugation of the continent to German control, the Holocaust, resistance movements, and ultimate defeat of Hitler’s Germany.
323, 324 History of England; History of Modern Britain (3, 3)
The history of Britain from the earliest times to the present; the first semester emphasizing constitutional and institutional developments to 1660; the second semester, the growth of political democracy, the British Empire, economic and social change. 323 fall/324 spring semester alternate years.
327 Russian History since 1800 (3)
Characteristics of Tsarist society in the 19th century, attempts to reform the nation, the revolutions of 1905 and 1917, and the Soviet system. On demand.
328 Viking History (3)
An examination of the political, military, social, technological, mythic, and cultural aspects of the Scandinavians’ expansion from Russia to Finland from 793 to 1100. On demand.
