The major in history offers four curriculum concentrations, each embracing 36 hours in history beyond the general education requirement. All courses are offered subject to adequate faculty staffing. Concentrations within the major, if chosen, are recorded on the student's official transcript. Students should consider how the various major options relate to their personal and career interests and needs. After completing their programs, students may pursue graduate training or move directly into careers in such fields as public history, business, law, government service, or education.

Undergraduate Course Offerings

The B.A. Major 
The Core curriculum is described on the flow sheets. The department requires all students to take the following courses:
HIS 290    Historiography (normally taken sophomore year, a prerequisite for HIS 405A)
HIS 405A  Seminar in Writing and Research  (normally taken senior year).

In addition to these courses, the department requires all majors to achieve a geographic breadth of courses. So, all majors are required to take:
HIS 204 and HIS 205  U.S. History and Constitutional Government I & II
2 elective courses in European History
2 elective courses in the History of Africa, Asia, or Latin America

1. B.A. Major. Students may choose any courses among the major elective options to complete the Major.

2. Program Concentrations. Students majoring in history may select a concentration. At present the History Department encourages but does NOT require students to select a concentration:.

Concentration in Applied History - Pre-Legal/Business Option

Concentration in Applied History - Public History Option

Concentration in the History of the United States

Concentration in European History

Concentration in History of the World

A. Concentration in Applied History

I. Pre-Legal/Business Option
In addition to the above courses required of all majors, students will take the following:

History Elective
Choice of one elective from the Department's offerings.

Choose three of the following courses:
HIS 360 Window to the Past: Introduction to Oral History
HIS 370 Manuscripts and Archives: An Introduction to Archival Practices and Principals
HIS 375 Introduction to Museum Work
HIS 376 Introduction to Archaeology
HIS 377 Architectural History of America
HIS 378 American Material Culture
HIS 401 Internship

History Elective
Choice of one elective from the Department's offerings.

C. Concentration in European History
In addition to the above courses required of all majors, students will take the following:

Required Course: HIS 220, Introduction to European History
Choose a minimum of 9  additional credit hours of electives in European History

For Major in History (B.A. degree) with Secondary Education Minor

For descriptions of the program offered by the History Department please consult with the departmental Secondary Education Minor advisor and check the Secondary Education Program listing from the Department of Education.

History Minor. Minors will take 15 hours beyond the sequence requirement courses. The extensive number of elective courses given by the Department makes it possible for the student to develop a minor program that reflects personal interests and needs. Each student will be assigned, as needed, to a departmental faculty advisor.

Interdisciplinary Minor. The History Department participates in the following ID Minors: African-American Studies, Eastern European and Russian Studies, Marine Studies, Urban Studies, and Women's Studies.

Undergraduate Courses in History

HIS 101 History of World Civilization I                             3 cr. DIII

A systematic study of the major patterns of global history from its origins through the early modern period. Analyzes the distinguishing characteristics of the world’s major pre-modern civilizations and the relationships and points of cultural exchange among them.  Examines the historical roots of many of the world’s diverse cultural traditions.  This course develops critical thinking, writing and analytical skills.Three lecture hours per week (new description, pending college approval).
 

HIS 102 History of World Civilization II                            3 cr. DIII

HIS 110A Historical Research Practicum I (Fall)               1 cr. DIII

This practicum will offer the student experience in historical methodology, analysis, criticism and fieldwork. One class hour per week. Open only to students enrolled in HIS 110H.

HIS 110H Freshman Honors History I (Fall)                      3 cr. DIII

An in-depth study of a topic or topics permitting qualified students to explore relationships among various influential factors in historical development before 1715 A.D. Readings, discussions, and historiographical inquiry will aid in the assessment of historical phenomena from varied perspectives. Fulfills half of the All-College core requirement in History. Three lecture hours per week. Restricted to students enrolled in the Honors Program.

HIS 111A Historical Research Practicum II (Spring)         1 cr. DIII

This practicum will offer the student experience in historical methodology, analysis, criticism, and fieldwork. One class hour per week. Open only to students enrolled in HIS 111H.

HIS 111H Freshmen Honors History II (Spring)                3 cr. DIII

In-depth study of a topic or topics dealing with the emergence of the “Modern” world since the 17th century. Specific matters to be examined will vary. Stress will be placed upon student participation in the consideration of the nature, operation, and interaction of major historical forces. Fulfills half of the All-College core requirement in History. Three lecture hours per week. Restricted to students enrolled in the Honors Program.

HIS 204 U.S. History and Constitutional Government I (Fall)      3 cr. DIII

This course traces the development of the United States from the colonial period to the end of the Civil War, surveying the economic, political, social and cultural aspects of this development. Constitutional development at the national and state levels will be explored, with particular emphasis on the Massachusetts experience. This course provides the matrix for courses in American Literature, Education, Economics, Government and Sociology. Three lecture hours per week. Fulfills Massachusetts’s teacher certification American Government requirement.

HIS 205 U.S. History and Constitutional Government II (Spring)            3 cr. DIII

Traces the development of the United States from 1865 to its present status as a world power, analyzing the economic, political, social and cultural factors. The functioning of American federal and state constitutions is analyzed. Provides the knowledge and understanding needed by teachers and by professionals who may interact with the public sector. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 208 History of American Constitutions                       3 cr. DIII

Traces the development of constitutionalism in British North America and analyzes its culmination in the constitutions of Massachusetts and the United States. The material studied is considered in the light of both contemporary government and Supreme Course decisions. Three lecture hours per week. Fulfills Massachusetts’s teacher certification American Government requirement.

HIS 209N History of United States Social Welfare            3 cr. DIII

This course examines the historical foundations and development of social welfare in the United States. In particular, it explores the relationships among changing social, economic and political forces and the evolution of social welfare policies and institutions. A principal theme of the course will examine reasons for, and results of, solutions designed to deal with complex and dynamic problems. Three lecture hours per week. Required of Social Work Majors.

HIS 210 Legal History                                                          3 cr. DIII

A one-semester course examining the historical development of the fundamental concepts of Anglo-American law. These concepts include subject areas covered in the first year law school curricula: real and personal property, torts, contracts, criminal law, courts and procedural rules. The substantive and procedural aspects of the common law are traced and the significance of the developments in statutory law is explained. The historical background of modern landlord-tenant statutes and of consumer law remedies is also covered.

HIS 211 Civil Rights in American History                          3 cr. DIII

A study of individual and group rights in American History. The course traces the significance of status, race, sex and other classifications in American law from the colonial era through modern constitutional debate. The course emphasizes the development of equal protection and fundamental rights law. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 215 The American Military Experience (Spring)        3 cr. DIII

Examines the historic role of the armed forces through the study of origins and development of military institutions, traditions and practices. Strongly emphasizes military policy, organization and technology as they relate to political, economic, and social developments. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of the citizen soldier in the United States. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 220 Introduction to European History                        3 cr. DIII

The course introduces students to the European experience by examining broad historical themes. Emphasis will be placed on how historians have organized and interpreted major developments throughout various periods in European history. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 290 Historiography (Fall)                      3 cr.

The course is an introduction to philosophies of history and recent developments in methodology, with consideration given to interpretative trends and conflicting schools of historical writing. Students are required to complete an historiographical project. Required of all History Majors. Three lecture hours per week. Not open to students who have received credit for HIS 402.

HIS 300 History of Women and Religion (Spring) 3 cr. DIII

Traces the development of western religious images of women through time. The course highlights myth as the cultural force from which women’s roles and status emerge. Using archaeology, comparative mythology, and folklore, the course investigates European prehistory and history to unravel the spirituality of western civilization and the participation of women in that spiritual evolution. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 301 History of the Middle East                                    3 cr. DIII

An introduction to the history and culture of the Middle East from the rise of Islam in the seventh century to the present. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 302 History of the Far East                                          3 cr. DIII

Surveys the early cultures of East Asia, religious beliefs and social customs. Concentrates upon China and Japan, the emergence of the United States and Russia as Asian powers, World War II and the wars in Korea and Vietnam. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 304 History of China (Fall)                                           3 cr. DIII

Summarizes major events to 1911; stresses the internal and external struggles of the Republic; concentrates on post-1949 developments under socialism, including political, economic, social and cultural policies and programs; analyzes China’s role in international affairs. Three lecture hours per week. Offered in alternate years.

HIS 305A History of  Ancient Greece and Rome                     3 cr. DIII

This course explores the rich historical tradition and cultural legacy of Ancient Greece and Rome.  From the Bronze age origins until the Late Antique period, the course surveys the political, social, and cultural development of these two Mediterranean civilizations up through their transformation in the world of Late Antiquity.  The course is taught primarily by lecture and illustrated lecture.  No prerequisites.  Three hours per week

HIS 306 Medieval Europe                                                    3 cr. DIII

This course covers the history of Europe from the time of the fall of the Roman Empire to the invading Germanic, Slavic, and Hunnic tribes, to the time of the Renaissance with its major contributions to civilization. Three lecture hours per week. Offered in alternate years.

HIS 307 Renaissance and Reformation (Spring)                3 cr. DIII

Studies the changes in European culture, religion, economics, and politics from the 15th through the 17th centuries. The art, literature, and economic evolution of the Renaissance, as well as the theological and political differences of the Protestant and Catholic Reformations will be stressed. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 308A European History 1815-1914 (Fall)                    3 cr. DIII

This course covers the history of Europe from the Congress of Vienna to the summer crisis of 1914, with emphasis on such developments as the Industrial Revolution, the growth of liberalism and democracy, socialism, nationalism, and the nationalistic and economic rivalries of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Elective for Peace Studies Minor. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 309A Contemporary European History (Spring)        3 cr. DIII

Surveys European history from 1914, including World War I, the period between the wars, World War II, and the Cold War, focusing on political, economic, social, and cultural developments. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 310 Russian History (Fall)                                             3 cr. DIII

The development of Russia from Pre-Kievan and Kievan time to the establishment of Soviet Russia. The student is encouraged to build an understanding of modern Russia by pursuing appropriate readings. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 311 Problems in American History (Spring)                3 cr. DIII

Deals with the changing patterns of historical interpretation of major phenomena in the nation’s past. Serving as an introduction to historiography, the course, using the most relevant case material available, examines opposing points of view, the nature of new evidence, and challenges to traditional viewpoints. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 313 United States Cultural and Social History  (Fall) 3 cr. DIII

Examines the nation’s cultural and social development. The interaction of settlers with old world background, the influence of the frontier, the emphasis on education, varying religious inheritance, the impact of industrialization, and the advances made in the arts, crafts and sciences will be studied in terms of their contribution to the uniqueness of American culture. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 314 American Colonial History (Fall)                          3 cr. DIII

Stresses the development of the 13 English colonies to 1776. Topics will include the French settlements in Canada; the colonial wars; the Spanish settlements in the South; and the independence movement in the English colonies. The New England colonies will receive particular emphasis. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 315 The First World War and European Culture     3 cr. DIII

Examines the intellectual, cultural, and social impact of the First World War on Europe. Explores the prewar atmosphere of Europe, the long-term and immediate causes of war, the multiple experiences of combatants and noncombatants during the war, and the social, literary, and cultural movements and ideas emerging from these wartime experiences. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 316 The Age of Change: America, 1865-1917 (Spring)        3 cr. DIII

An analysis of evolving socioeconomic and political changes during the years between Appomattox and Wilson’s 1917 war message. Discussion and consideration of current writings and primary source materials are used to explore the nature and significance of American responses to the emergence of challenges to established class, party, racial, ethnic, and vocational statuses, perceptions and policies. Elective for Peace Studies Minor. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 317 Modern United States I , 1890-1945 (Fall)         3 cr. DIII

A survey of American economic, social, intellectual, diplomatic, military and political developments during the period from 1890 to 1945.  Topics include Progressivism, world war, Jim Crow racism, women's suffrage, labor and industrialization, the stock market, the Great Depression, and the New Deal.  Elective for Peace Studies minor.  Three hours per week.

HIS 319 Development of the American Constitution (Spring)     3 cr. DIII

A case study analysis of the history of American constitutional law. The course encompasses significant events and court cases from the American Revolution to the present. Special attention is given to the role of the U.S. Supreme Court and to significant developments in Massachusetts’s constitutional history. Three lecture hours per week. Fulfills Massachusetts’s teacher certification American Government requirement.

HIS 320 Historical Heritage of the North Shore                             3 cr. DIII

An historical investigation of Massachusetts’ North Shore during the most critical periods of national history. Particular interest is focused on the unique experiences of the various towns and cities. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 321 American Economic History (Fall)                                    3 cr. DIII

An historical survey of economic growth and development. The areas of study include colonial commerce, shipping, development of industrial and raw material sources, and the growth of American business. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 322 New England Heritage (Fall)                                             3 cr. DIII

A focused historical investigation of New England from its settlement to the present. Factors accounting for the uniqueness of the region will be stressed, as will the similarities and differences among the states. The place of the region in the social and cultural history of the nation will be highlighted. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 323 Modern United States History II, 1945 - Present (Spring) 3 cr. DIII

A survey of American economic, social, intellectual, diplomatic, military and political developments since 1945.  Topics include atomic diplomacy, the Cold War, civil rights, women's liberation, ecology, the culture of consumption, suburbanization, presidential politics, and the role of the United States in world affairs.  Elective for Peace Studies minor.  Three hours per week.

HIS 324 Civil War and Reconstruction (Fall)                                 3 cr. DIII

Analysis of the period 1787-1877, focusing on the causes, course and consequences of the American Civil War. Notes changing historical interpretations of social, economic, political and military events. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 325 History of Latin America (Spring)                                    3 cr. DIII

Latin American history from pre-Columbian times to the present, covering indigenous societies and conquest. Spanish and Portuguese colonial rule, independence, integration in the world economy in the nineteenth century, and the development of industry and agriculture in the twentieth. Examines political, social and economic structures, stressing the perspective of poor majorities in Latin America. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 326 History of the African American I (Fall)                          3 cr. DIII

Traces African American roots from the early kingdoms in West Africa to the American Civil War. Emphasis will be placed on the socio-historical processes that account for the status of Blacks in American society and the New World. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 327 History of the African American II (Spring)                    3 cr. DIII

Analysis of the period from Reconstruction to the present. Special emphasis will be put on the role of charismatic Black leaders and theoreticians of the 1920’s and their impact on the development of the ideologies of the 1960’s. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 329 History of Native North Americans                                  3 cr. DIII

A chronological survey of the history of native North American Indians, emphasizing their first contact with Europeans to the present. Special attention will be focused on their unique social, cultural and religious diversity. Extensive collateral reading. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 330 History of Africa I                                                              3 cr. DIII

This course presents the account of: ancient history of Africa, the Arab conquest, modern changes in North Africa, tribal life south of the Sahara, impact of European imperialism, contemporary developments in the emerging nations. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 331 History of Africa II                                                            3 cr. DIII

This course is concerned with modern African history with emphasis on the rise and fall of the European colonial empires, and the emergence of the new African states. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 333 History of France Since 1763 (Spring)                              3 cr. DIII

Covers the political and economic as well as social developments from 1763 to the present. Beginning with the era of the French Revolution, the course will introduce students to the events which have shaped contemporary France. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 334B History of Modern Germany                                          3 cr. DIII

A survey of modern German History. Examines the complexities of modernization during the Bismarkian and Wilhelmine eras, Germany’s role in World War I, the “crisis years” of Weimar, the social, cultural and political dimensions of Nazism, the Third Reich and the Holocaust; the nature of a divided Germany and the implications of reunification in the contemporary era. Three lecture hours per week. Not open to students who have received credit for HIS 334A.

HIS335 Early Modern Europe                                                        3 cr. DIII

This course will survey the main events, themes, and structures of Europe in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, from the Peace of Westphalia through the French Revolution. Political, social, economic, and cultural topics will be examined in equal measure, with emphasis on the comparative development of continental Absolutism and the English constitutional monarchy. Other topics include urban and rural life, the emergence of an Atlantic economy, and Enlightenment ideology. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 342 Irish History                                                                        3 cr. DIII

A survey of Irish culture and history from the pre-Christian to the modern period. Three lecture hours per week. Students who have received credit for HIS 340 or HIS 341 may not receive credit for HIS 342.

HIS 343 Era of the American Revolution                                       3 cr. DIII

Examines the causes and development of the American Revolution. Beginning with an analysis of the political culture of the British North American colonies and the imperial structure, it traces the strains, which emerged between the imperial center and colonial peripheries. State and federal constitution making during the “Critical Period” and post-revolutionary development will be considered. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 348A Twentieth-Century European Women’s History         3 cr. DIII

The history of twentieth-century European women takes a chronological as well as thematic approach. The course will begin by looking at “the nationalization of women”—the efforts by various nations to construct their own definitions of womanhood, often during times of war. Other themes include images of women, poverty and women, law and women, and feminist movements. Three lecture hours per week. Not open to students who have received credit for HIS 348.

HIS 350 England to the 17th Century (Fall)                                   3 cr. DIII

A survey of English life from the Roman invasion to the death of Elizabeth I Analysis of major political and economic developments. Particular emphasis placed on social history from Chaucer’s time to that of Shakespeare to provide a background for the study of English literature. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 351 English History, 17th Century to the Present (Spring)    3 cr. DIII

Surveys English history from the Stuart Dynasty to the contemporary period. It will emphasize developments in the Victorian period and the Commonwealth period since 1917. British foreign relations, particularly in connection with American diplomacy will be considered. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 353 American Transportation History (Spring)                      3 cr. DIII

Analysis of the development of various modes of transport from the colonial period to the present. Major emphasis on the post-Civil War Period controversies involving government regulation and subsidization. Special consideration given to the impact of transportation on American culture. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 354 History of the American Family   3 cr.

This course traces the roots of the American family from colonial time to the present. Early patterns of character from Europe, Africa, and Asia will be examined. Major treatment of the changing nature of society will shed light on the modern American family of today. Students will have the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to explore their own family genealogy. The course will feature guest speakers, films, and related field trips.

HIS 355 The Influence of Religion Upon History  (Spring)           3 cr. DIII

An historical approach through myth, sacred texts and ritual to the world’s major religions and their relationship to major historical forces. Special emphasis is placed on the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Judaic, and Muslim faiths. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 356 North American Maritime History (Spring)                     3 cr. DIII

A study of merchant shipping, fishing and naval forces in North America from colonial times to the present. Emphasis will be placed on the role of shipping in the development of the nations of North America and the effect of modern activities in ecology and fishery management. Three lecture hours per week. Offered in alternate years.

HIS 358 American Business History                                               3 cr. DIII

This course will examine entrepreneurs and the businesses they built—and sometimes ruined. Starting from well-known models of business strategy, we will apply the case study method common to business schools to problems of central significance in the historical development of the United States. In addition, the course will develop your expertise in the discipline of history as a way of thinking and in the methods of the historian, providing you with organizational, analytical, and communications skills which will help you in other courses and to understand changing events in the larger world. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 360 Window to the Past: Introduction to Oral History (Spring)        3 cr. DIII

An introduction to the methodology of oral history and its relationship to contemporary historical investigation. Students will develop technical mastery through classroom presentation and by conducting interviews with individuals who are knowledgeable about the topic under investigation. Interviews will be deposited in an appropriate historical archive. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 361 Magic and Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe             3 cr. DIII

This course examines the origins, characteristics, and end of the “witch craze” of sixteenth and seventeenth-century Europe. The course will set the witch craze in its widest historical context by examining the religious, social, intellectual, economic, demographic, and political trends of the period, as well as the general roles played by magic and superstition in early modern society. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of the Reformation in intensifying the witch craze and the Scientific Revolution in bringing about the “decline of magic”. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 362 Europe and the Atlantic, 1400-1800                                 3 cr. DIII

This course examines the discovery, conquest, and colonization of coastal Africa and the western hemisphere by Europeans in the early modern era. Recent historical literature concerning the “discovery era” and its impact will be incorporated. Regional and comparative approaches will emphasize the development of a distinctive Atlantic economy and diverse colonial societies. Particular emphasis will be placed on trans-Atlantic trade, including the slave trade, and colonial competition and warfare. Three lecture hours per week

HIS 363A U.S. Women’s History        3 cr. DIII

U.S. Women’s History presents women’s history both as an integral part of United States history and as a distinct subject of historical inquiry. Using a variety of sources, this course will explore the public and private lives of U.S. women of different class, racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds from the colonial period to the present. The course will also introduce students to the methodology of women’s history. Three lecture hours per week. Not open to students who have received credit for HIS 363.

HIS 364 A History of Slavery and Labor Migration in West Africa        3 cr. DIII

This course examines the social and political factors which gave rise to slavery in West Africa and the relationship of the internal slave trade with the external one. It also analyzes the emergence of free labor and its subsequent transformation under the impact of urbanization. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 365A Gender in East Asian History    3 cr.

This course concentrates on the gender relationships in East Asia. Asian women’s search for personal freedom was a constant battle because traditional societies greatly suppressed their choices. The course examines Asian women’s sufferings, their struggles against the existing social order, their successes and failures, and the ways in which Asian women’s pursuit of their rights finally led to their widened participation in social and political affairs. Three lecture hours per week. Not open for students who have received credit for HIS 365.

HIS 366 History of Health Care                  3 cr.

A survey of the development of health care practices and varying perceptions of health care throughout history. Considers, also, the impact of selected social, economic, and political factors influencing the evolution of health care. The course will focus not only on man’s health and diseases throughout history; but, also, on the history of all human activities connected directly or indirectly with the pursuits of the health care profession. The course will feature guest speakers, films, and related field trips.

HIS 367 Modern Transportation (Fall)                   3 cr. DIII

A study of the development of public transportation since 1900. Analysis of routes, state and federal regulations, equipment and finances. Amtrak, Greyhound and major airlines will serve as case studies. Lectures and discussions will be supplemented by the use of appropriate visual materials. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 368 History of South Africa                             3 cr. DIII

This course explores South Africa’s history from early man to the post-apartheid period. Its focus is the origins and development of the ideology and practice of segregation and the internal and external factors contributing to feelings of racial superiority and exclusiveness. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 369 East Africa: The Past as Present              3 cr.

This course seeks to provide an introduction to the history of East Africa, principally the modern states of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Special attention will be devoted to issues of multi-cultural contacts at frontiers of exchange, involvement in the modern world system, imperialism and neo-colonialism. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 370 Manuscripts & Archives: Introduction to Principles & Practices (Fall)  3 cr.

As an introduction to the preservation of manuscripts and archival principles, emphasis is on procedures and policies which are intended to protect unique documents containing valuable historical evidence. The course provides students with practical experience. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 373 English Constitutional History (Spring)                3 cr. DIII

Surveys the nature and development of the English constitution since the pre-Norman era. Examines the evolving relationships between legal and political thought and practice and the accompanying evolution of legal and political institutions. Three lecture hours per week. Offered in alternate years.

HIS 375 Introduction to Museum Work (Spring)   3 cr.

Using regional museums, this course focuses on relevant topics intended to introduce the student to the place of museums in society and education. Various facets of museum operation will be highlighted. Attention will be given to career opportunities existing in museum work. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 376 Introduction to Archaeology                     3 cr. DIII

An introduction to the theory, methods, and goals of archaeology in the Old and New Worlds. Topics include the history of the discipline, excavation and the interpretation of archaeological remains, the uses of documents, dating techniques, and the examination of several Old and New World cultures. Three lecture hours per week. Offered annually.

HIS 377 Architectural History of America: An Introduction       3 cr. DIII

An overview of the built environment in the United States from colonial settlement to late 19th century. The course will examine how buildings related to American history. Emphasis is placed on the architecture of New England. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 378 American Material Culture: An Introduction                 3 cr. DIII

This course covers the identification, classification, and interpretation of the artifacts and decorative arts of America. Particular attention will be paid to artifacts produced before 1860, and to how these objects are interpreted by archaeologists, historians and museum professionals. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 379A History of Central America                                3 cr. DIII

History of Central America from the conquest through the twenty-first century. Topics include indigenous populations, conquest, colonization, independence, race, ethnicity and national identity in the nineteenth century, the history of U.S. influence in the region, the history of social movements, protest revolution and migration; the tenuous peace, globalization and continuing social unrest in the twenty-first century. Focus on El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Three lecture hours per week..

HIS 380 History of Latinos in the United States     3 cr. DIII

History of the different Latino populations of the United States, beginning with U.S. expansion in the nineteenth century. History of Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Dominicans and Central Americans in the United States in the context of U.S. relations with the sending countries (Mexican-American War, Spanish-American War, Dominican and Central American occupations), and changes over time in U.S. society and economy. Historical construction of race and ethnicity, gender, and changing forms of identities. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 381 Gender in Latin American History           3 cr. DIII

Social construction of gender in Latin American history. Examines concepts that have structured Latin American beliefs about gender including honor and shame, machismo and marianismo, and issues of gender relations and sexuality. Asks how beliefs about gender and gender roles relate to social structures including race, class and political structures, how beliefs about gender and gender roles have changed over time, and how beliefs about gender and gender roles compare in the United States and Latin America. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 382 A Generation in Revolt: Transnational History of the 1960s    3 cr. DIII

Examines the intellectual, cultural, and social history of the decade of the 1960’s in a comparative context. Focusing primarily on Europe and the United States, but referencing other world areas, the course explores the roots of the sixties rebellion, the political, social and cultural dimensions of its counterculture, the conservative response to radical change and the broader impact of the 1960’s on contemporary ideas, politics, society and culture. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 385 History of Japan                    3 cr. DIII

This course provides a general historical coverage of Japan. It discusses Japan’s political changes, economic development, and cultural transformation. The course searches for answers to the question of what it means to be Japanese by examining various characteristics of the Japanese society. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 386 The Pacific War, 1931-1945 3 cr. DIII

The course focuses on the Pacific War in Asia; an important but often neglected part of the Second World War. It tries to answer some lingering questions. What were the Japanese motivations and justifications? What were the Japanese and Chinese experiences in the war? How did the war change the Asian-Pacific region? The course includes many new materials to inspire the students to rethink the war critically. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 387 Cold War in Asia, 1945-1989                                            3 cr. DIII

This course examines the Cold War in Asia. It provides a general survey of its historical development, as well as probing deeply into Cold War cases, such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The course offers particular coverage of Asian perspectives. Three lecture hours per week.                     

HIS 388 History of United States-East Asian Relations     3 cr. DIII

The course examines key issues in the United States-East Asian relations, including American trade with China, Matthew Perry’s mission to Japan, the Open Door policy, immigration, the Pacific War, and post-Cold War economic exchanges. The course explains policy initiatives of East Asian countries, as well as the U.S. role in the Pacific. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 389 Ancient Near Eastern History  3cr. DIII

This course surveys the history, archaeology, and literature of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Levant from the rise of civilization (ca. 3,500 BCE) to the conquest of Alexander the Great (332 BCE).  It studies  the underlying environmental, socio-cultural, economic, and political causes for the momentous events  The course has a strong archaeological component. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 390 Byzantine History and Civilization 3 cr. DIII

This course examines the history and civilization of the Byzantine Empire. It will trace the origins, ideology, life, and culture of this influential and complex polity and society—one based on the continuity of Roman statehood and identify within the Medieval Greek and Orthodox worlds. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 391 Ottoman History, 1281-1923                     3 cr. DIII

This course examines the history and culture of the Ottoman Empire. It will explore the origins and expansion of the Turkic warrior dynasty, the establishment and structure of the imperial Islamic state system, the contours of Ottoman society, economic decline, and disintegration of the Empire. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 392 History of the Balkans I: 1453-1804         3 cr. DIII

This course examines the history of Southeastern Europe from the fall of the Byzantine Empire to the Balkan national movements in the earl nineteenth century. Albeit one emphasizing culture and society, this course will also address the major political and diplomatic developments affecting the region. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 393 History of the Balkans II: 1804-1923        3 cr. DIII

Emphasizing the consequences of nationalism, as well as regional and Great Power politics, this course will examine the revolutionary movements, state formation, and nation-building processes that marked the emergence of the modern Balkan states. Diplomacy and conflict will also be explored. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 394 History of Eastern Europe Since 1914     3 cr. DIII

This course surveys Eastern Europe since WWI. The origins of Eastern Europe as a region, nationalism, Habsburg and Ottoman imperial dissolution, state formation, interwar crises, Nazi occupation and wartime resistance, Soviet domination and collapse, and the problems of post-socialism are the course’s primary contours. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 395 Ancient and Medieval South Asian History  3 cr. DIII

Through lecture and discussion the student is introduced to major events and themes in the ancient and medieval history of South Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, from the rise of the Indus Valley Civilization and the Vedic period to the rise of Vijayanagar and the fall of the Delhi Sultanate in the 16^th century.  The course will cover not only the development of the normative pan-Indian culture of dominant elites, but also marginalized communities and the rise of alternative sub-cultures and reform movements.  Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 396 Modern South Asian History  3 cr. DIII

Through lecture and discussion the student is introduced to major events and themes in the modern history of South Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, from the rise of the Mughal Empire in the 16^th century to the colonial period of the late 18^th and 19^th centuries, the decades of the freedom struggle in the early 20^th century, and the rapid political and socio-economic changes that have occurred since partition and independence in 1947.  The course emphasizes, in addition to important political changes, aspects of cultural and economic history.  Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 397 Gender in South Asian History  3cr. DIII

Through lecture and discussion the student is introduced to major themes in the construction of gender identities and roles in South Asian civilization, from the earliest times to the present day.  The student will study the material by examining and analyzing both normative and radical texts, ancient folklore and modern fiction, images, and film clips.  In particular, the course will focus on the intersections of gender and normative culture, gender and colonialism, and gender and class.  Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 398 History of Islamic Civilization  3cr. DIII

This course is an introduction to Islamic Civilization, from the 6th Century to the present.  It focuses upon Islam as a religion, the creation of the Islamic community, and  the political, social, cultural and economic structures of the central Islamic kingdoms from Iran to North Africa.  Three lecture hours per week.  No prerequisites.

HIS 401 Internship                                       3 cr.

A field experience conducted cooperatively by the Department and public/private institutions. While interning, students engage in professional activities relevant to their history studies. The experience provides training and knowledge leading to professional growth. Open to History Majors and those minoring in history who have completed 12 History credit hours beyond the World Civilization core requirement. Potential interns need the permission of a qualified Department faculty supervisor and Department Chairperson.

HIS 403 History Study-Travel Seminar      3 cr.

A study/travel course that incorporates a 1-2 week on-site research trip to a location appropriate to the topic of the course. Topic varies. May be repeated for credit with permission of Department Chair. Lab fee. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 405A Seminar: Research and Writing in History       3 cr.

The seminar will involve examination and analysis of professional materials in journals and books of primary and secondary sources that deal with the process of research and writing a formal history paper. Faculty and peer discussion will also consider analytical and methodological points. Required of all History Majors. Three lecture hours per week. Not open to students who have received credit for HIS 405.

Prerequisite: Junior status.

HIS 415 Topics in American History          3 cr.

The course features intensive examination of a specialized topic of American History. It emphasizes readings that reflect fresh trends in research strategies or interpretive directions. The professor will determine selection of the course topic. Three lecture hours per week. This course may be repeated for additional credit.

Prerequisites: A minimum of nine hours of previous course work in History and permission of the Department Chairperson.

HIS 416 Topics in European History                                  3 cr.

An examination of specialized topics in European history. The emphasis will be on historiographical debates or issues within the topic area and will include advanced historical readings and research. May be repeated for credit with the permission of the Department Chair. Three lecture hours per week.

HIS 420 Information Technology for Historians               3 cr.

The course will examine the transformative effects of Information Technology on the research, writing and production of history. Students will develop skills in electronic data creation, Web site design and evaluation, multimedia presentation and writing for electronic audiences. Particular attention will be paid to the critical analysis of the interpretation and presentation of data. This course assumes basic computer competency.

HIS 500 Directed Study in History              3 cr.

An individualized program for History majors and minors. An in-depth study of an aspect of history which falls within the expertise of one or more members of the History Department. The form of the program is developed cooperatively between the student and a consenting faculty member. The student may earn up to 6 credit hours by enrolling for 2 semesters. Students from other academic departments may take the course with permission of the History Department Chairperson.

Prerequisite: Permission of Department Chairperson.

HIS 600 Honors in History                           3 cr.

Designed as a one or two semester research program, up to 6 credit hours may be earned. The student is required to conduct research on an aspect of history, which falls within the expertise of one or more members of the History Department. While expected to work with a minimum of direction, the student is required to meet with the research director on a regular basis. The specific nature of the research program is developed cooperatively between the student and the director.

Prerequisites: An overall average of 3.0; a 3.5 average in History, and permission of Department Chairperson

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