2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog

HIST 101. World Civilization to 1500. (4).

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 Discussions focus on development of critical thinking and writing skills through examination of primary historical documents.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 101D. World Civilization Discussion. (0).

HIST 102. World Civilizations Since 1500. (4).

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 Discussions focus on development of critical thinking and writing skills through examination of primary historical documents.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 102D. World Civilization Discussion. (0).

HIST 121. United States History to 1877. (4).

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. United States History Since 1877. (4).

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 Topic. (1-4).

HIST 282C. ST: Select Topic (core). (1-4).

Select Topic approved for core requirement.

HIST 285. Interim Travel Course. (2).

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. (a/y).

HIST 303. Medieval Europe and the Mediterranean World 500-1500. (4).

Covers the history of Europe and the Mediterranean from the collapse of the Roman Empire in the West through the 15th century. Emphasis is on the intellectual, cultural and economic as well as the military encounters of Europe with Byzantine and Muslim civilizations. Topics also include feudalism, the role of the Christian Church, the rise of towns and cities in Europe, and the legacy of the Middle Ages for our own time. (a/y).

HIST 311. Modern Europe:1500 to Present. (4).

An examination of the history of modern Europe through the study of some of its most important revolutionary changes. Focuses on the Scientific, English, French, Industrial and Russian revolutions as well as the Enlightenment and building the European Union. (a/y).

HIST 313. Europe and Empire. (4).

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. (a/y).

HIST 317. War and Conflict in 20th Century Europe. (4).

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. (a/y).

HIST 321. Colonial America. (4).

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. (a/y).

HIST 324. Society and Culture in United States History. (4).

A thematic study of the social evolution of the United States during its first two centuries of development. Significant intellectual and cultural changes are emphasized through the lens of the five pillars of society, family, education, economics, politics, and religion. (a/y).

HIST 326. Civil War: Slavery to Civil Rights. (4).

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. (a/y).

HIST 328. Cold War America. (4).

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. (a/y). (cross-listed with HNRS 328).

HIST 331. Christianity in the Roman World. (4).

A survey of the emergence, growth, and development of the Christian movement from the time of the apostles to the disintegration of the Roman Empire in the West and to the fall of Constantinople in the East. This course will focus on Christianity as actually experienced and practiced by its earlier adherents in the multinational context of empire, and will look at textual, artistic, and material sources of evidence to gain a sense of the Christian past.

HIST 332. Medieval and Reformation Christianity. (4).

A survey of the development of Christianity in the post-Roman West, focusing on the rise of papacy, the development of distinctive Western Christian practices and doctrines, and the important role of the church in shaping European society. Special attention will be given to ways the medieval church handled difference and dissent, and to the reform movements of the later Middle Ages and the Protestant and Catholic reformations they brought about.

HIST 333. World Christianity Since 1600. (4).

A survey of the history of post-Reformation Christianity as it spread beyond Europe and became truly a global religion, with special emphasis on regional variations, issues of class and gender, and the challenges of modernity. Much of the course will focus on Christianity as variously experienced in the tumultuous 20th century, and in this will underscore both continuities and the rich diversity in the modern and postmodern Christian communities that exist throughout the world today. (cross-listed with REL 333).

HIST 335. Christianity in America. (4).

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.

HIST 341. United States Women's History. (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. (a/y).

HIST 343. Women in Global History. (4).

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. (a/y).

HIST 345. California History. (4).

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. (spring).

HIST 380. History and Politics of Modern China. (4).

This course explores the historical transformations that have led to the development of modern China. The course opens with an examination of the Qing dynasty, the last major dynasty in Chinese history, and then explores the forces, internal and external, driving China toward a major revolution in the 20th century.

HIST 382. 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 POLS 382) (a/y).

HIST 384. 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 POLS 384) (a/y).

HIST 386. 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 POLS 386) (a/y).

HIST 388. History and Politics of East Asia. (4).

An introduction to the history, political thought and institutions of East Asia. Topics may vary in focus from Japan to Vietnam, or Korea. (a/y).

HIST 390. History and Historians. (4).

Using selections from the writings of great historians from the Greeks to the Post-modernists, this course introduces students to a study of the theories of history, the methods of historical research and the development of historical writing. (fall).

HIST 470. Teaching History - Capstone for Social Science Majors. (2).

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. (spring).

HIST 472. History Capstone Course: Senior Thesis. (2).

A seminar and 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. (fall).

HIST 482. Selected Topics. (4).

HIST 482C. ST: Select Topic (core). (1-4).

Select Topic approved for core requirement.

HIST 485. Ravel Seminar: Seminar Japan's Ancient Capitals: Nara, Kyoto, and Edo. (2).

This course covers the history of Japan's ancient imperial capitals, Nara and Kyoto, the successive centers of Japan's politics and culture from 500-1600, as well as the Tokugawa Shogunate's capital of Edo (now called Tokyo), from 1600-1868. Course topics will emphasize the adoption of Chinese civilization and its adaptation to indigenous culture by considering imperial institutions, Shinto and Buddhism, the role of the capital as the center of civilization and culture, as well as the wane of imperial authority with the rise of samurai power that culminated in the shift of Japan's political and cultural center from Kyoto to Edo. Students will also participate in a 2-week instructor-led travel study of Japan's capitals, thereby enabling students to incorporate observations and experiences in Japan with the subject matter acquired from lectures, readings, and student research. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

HIST 490. Independent Study. (1-4).

HIST 492. Internship. (1-4).

(graded P/NC only).

HIST 496. Directed Research. (1-3).