HIST205A/205B History of Western CivilizationSurvey of the main people, events, and trends in Western Civilization from earliest cultures in the Middle East to the present day. Focus is on European culture and politics and the impact it had on the world, including America. The first semester of the course ends with the aftermath of the Reformation and religious wars (ca. 1648); the second semester begins with a short review of the Reformation.
HIST207A World History (From pre-history through the fifteenth century).This course traces the origins, development, and diffusion of the historical cultures of the world from the Neolithic Revolution (around 10,000 BCE) to the Age of Encounter (around 1500 CE). This survey takes a global viewpoint, but concentrates on the complex, urban-based societies of East Asia, South Asia, Southwest Asia, Europe, North Africa, West Africa, and Mesoamerica, as well as on the nomadic peoples of Central Asia. Central themes include: the emergence and development of stratified urban society; the conquest, governance, and fall of empires; cultural change and diffusion; the social and political roles of religions; and various processes of inter-change and conflict between the diverse peoples of the entire human community during this long period of history.
HIST207B World History since 1500This course surveys the development of the modern world from 1500 to the present. It focuses on the interaction of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas and the integration of the continents into a West-centered global capitalism. Emphasis is on aspects of the scientific, technological, economic, social and political transformations the world has undergone since 1500. Admittedly, there will be a lot of significant material we will not cover due to time constraint, but there will be enough time to explore complex and diverse processes of global change and, where appropriate, compare past global transformations with the revolutionary changes the global community is currently experiencing.
HIST300 The Origins of Modern America, 1492-1877History 300 is an introduction to American history from the age of exploration and colonization through the period of Reconstruction. Topics covered in the course include: exploration and colonization; Indian-white relations; everyday life in colonial America; the American Revolution; the industrial and transportation revolutions; health and sexuality in early America; antebellum reform movements; slavery; the Civil War and Reconstruction. We will focus on several themes in this course:1) Freedom: We will examine the struggle for various types of freedom (political, racial, economic, sexual) in early American history. 2) Controversy: The element of controversy makes history an exciting field of inquiry. By focusing on controversies, you should gain an understanding of how historians come up with different interpretations of the same events. You will also have a chance to form your own opinions about these issues.
HIST301 Modern America from 1877 to the PresentThis class provides a basic overview of major political, cultural, and economic topics from the failure of post-Civil War Reconstruction in 1877 through the resurgence of conservatism in recent decades. Students should be prepared for both broad overviews and for detailed case studies of individual regions and events. We will assess historical evidence, arguments, and the gap between American ideals and historical realities as experienced by the diverse population. Some “big questions”: What changed over time, what did not, how do historians construct arguments and explain patterns through analysis of evidence? How can historical inquiry affect contemporary public policy issues? What was the historical context, what evidence supports or counters his view and how? Why does it matter?
HIST303 The Politics of Slavery and Coming of the Civil WarFrom the framing of the US Constitution to Abraham Lincoln’s presidential election, this course examines the main events leading to increased sectionalism in national politics and ultimately to civil war. The growing conflict between the North and the South over slavery will be discussed against the backdrop of political party formation and shifting political alliances.
HIST311 The Ancient near East and MediterraneanThis course focuses on the emergence and early history of complex societies in the Near East and Mediterranean Basin, from approximately 3000 B.C.E. (the beginnings of Sumer and Egypt) to around 400 C.E. (the fall of the Western Roman Empire). The readings and required work in the class are designed to encourage on-going participation by students, rather than non-stop lecturing by the instructor. You will really be expected to do the readings every week, and to participate in class discussions.
HIST315 Medieval EuropeThis course focuses on the society and religion of Western Europe during the Medieval period--from approximately 400 CE to 1400 CE. The readings and required work in the class are designed to encourage on-going participation by students, rather than non-stop lecturing by the instructor. Class meetings will be approximately one half lecture and one half discussion. Therefore, you will be expected to do the readings every week, and to participate in class discussions; my evaluation of your performance will reflect this expectation.
HIST324 Women in Western Society: 1600 to Present (Same as Women’s Studies 348) The legal, social, economic, and political position of women in Western society during the past 350 years are examined against the backdrop of industrialization, political democratization, world wars, and totalitarianism. Emphasis is on women in England, France, and the US.
HIST326 Nineteenth-Century EuropeThis course examines the development of Europe between the French Revolution of 1789 and the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Major themes for the period between 1789 and 1848 include the gradual decline of aristocratic hegemony, the emergence of new ideologies such as liberalism, nationalism, and socialism, and the rise of an industrial economy and society. After 1848, principal themes include national unification, imperialism, fin-de-siècle culture, and the origins of World War I.
328 History of France A survey of main themes (social, cultural, economic, political) in French history from the middle ages to the present.
HIST330B Britain since 1688 This course investigates the making of modern Britain from the late seventeenth century through the end of the millennium. Topics include the struggles between Parliament and the monarchy in the seventeenth century which culminated in the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the formation of the United Kingdom in 1707, eighteenth-century British political, social, and cultural life, the American Revolution and the beginnings of British imperialism in India, the French and Indus-trial Revolutions and their impact on British political, social, and cultural life, changing social and gender relations, the various reform bills of the 19th century, the lives of the urban poor in the late 19th century, the “New Imperialism,” the impact of the two World Wars of the 20th century, the post-war Attlee Government and the formation of the Welfare State, decolonization and British race relations, youth culture, the “Troubles,” Thatcherism, and the rise of New Labour. More broadly, the course will also explore the various and contested meanings of “Britishness” over the past three centuries.
At its height in the early decades of the twentieth century, the British Empire controlled over a quarter of the world’s land surface and population. Never before (or since) in the history of the world has one empire held such power. We will briefly examine pre-1800 forms of English and British imperialism in Ireland, the Caribbean, and North America—the “Atlantic World” or “First British Empire”—before continuing to consider nineteenth- and twentieth-century forms of imperialism in Asia and Africa, with special focus being paid to India, the empire’s “jewel in the crown.” Themes that will be highlighted include formal and informal imperialism, collaboration and resistance, the “man on the spot,” popular imperialism, nationalism, decolonization, the legacies of colonialism, and the roles of race, class, and gender.
HIST337 Modern RussiaSurvey of Russian history focusing on the period since 1800. We look at politics, culture, and social change that took Russia from being a multinational Empire to the world’s first socialist state to the present day, where Russian identity feels injured and defensive. One special emphasis is the multinational nature of Russia both before and after the revolution of 1917. Textbook selections are supplemented by some readings from Russian literature.
HIST338 Eastern Europe in the 20th CenturyOverview of the main events, trends, and individuals in Eastern Europe since World War I, but with an emphasis on the period since 1939. Readings are taken from a variety of sources, including press reports, memoirs, and literature. Readings are supplemented by the showing of several films from different countries (in the past, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Romania, Hungary).
HIST340 International History of the Cold WarThis course is designed to acquaint you with the themes, events, and figures prominent in the Cold War era. We will discuss the origins of the Cold war and the global ramifications of sustained tension among the rival powers. Finally, we must evaluate the events and the people within the context of their times.
HIST351 African Atlantic Spirituality This course explores the ways that African-Atlantic societies have expressed the interaction of people in the visible world with the spiritual powers of the invisible world. The course begins with the ancient foundations of these spiritual systems and then examines the historical trans-formation of these systems in West Africa, Central Africa, and the Americas into the twentieth century. The course focuses on Yoruba and Kongo spiritualities and the American spiritualities based on them (including santerìa, candomblé, palo mayombe, vodou, hoodoo, and others).
HIST354 The contemporary United StatesThis course focuses on the development of United States foreign and domestic policies since the end of World War II. We will concern ourselves with government action and mass movements for social change. We will look at a variety of issues, from war and peace to race relations to the lives of women. I hope you find studying this period of U.S. history challenging and enjoyable, and that you come out of this class with a better understanding of the world we live in today.
HIST355 The Radical View in American HistoryThis course will introduce you to the history of radical (left-wing) movements in the United States. Focusing mainly on the twentieth century, we will explore movements for fundamental change in the political, economic, and social system. Often harkening back to ideas expressed by the generation that made the American Revolution—ideas such as freedom, democracy, and equality—twentieth century radical movements have challenged injustice, worked for a more humane society, and promoted a wide distribution of wealth and power. The purpose of the course is to make you aware of the tradition of radicalism in U.S. history, introduce you to some significant voices on the left, and encourage you to make your own assessment of the impact of radical thinkers and activists on U.S. society.
HIST357 Women and Work in the United States (Same as Women’s Studies 357)This course is designed to acquaint you with the diversity of women’s experiences as workers in the home, performing unpaid and “invisible” work in the household economy, and as wage earners in a labor market segregated by race, class, and gender. By examining the dynamics of the role of gender and the importance of work cultures, this course will help explain the political, economic, and cultural significance of “masculinity” and “femininity” in the workplace. Finally, this course will discuss the role of industrialization, feminism, and the civil rights movement in shaping the modern labor force.
HIST361“Race” and History in the United States (Same as Black American Studies 360)This course analyzes the central role that “race” has played in US history from the nation’s founding to its present, highlighting the experiences of peoples of Amerindian, African, Irish, Mexican, Chinese, and Japanese ancestry, and the experiences of peoples of Judaic religious descent. These diverse groups largely are examined vis-à-vis their interaction with the dominant “white” community. Furthermore, while this is not a course on racial discrimination, per se, it does link the evolution of racial doctrines and national policies to important social, economic and political developments that typically privileged “whites” over “non-whites”, and speaks to the larger issue of defining our national identity.
362A and B Black American History (Same as Black American Studies 311) (a) Black American history to 1865; (b) black American history since 1865. The role of blacks and contribution in the building of America and their ongoing fight for equality.
HIST364 The Great Depression in the United StatesThis course examines one of the most fascinating, and controversial, periods in modern U.S. history. During the Great Depression, Americans endured more than a decade of hard times. We will explore the economics of the Great Depression, and also discuss the social, political, and cultural dimensions of this crisis. Topics covered in the course include: the stock market crash of 1929, the origins of the depression, Herbert Hoover's response, Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal, radical and conservative alternatives to the New Deal, the "old-age" and anti-chain-store movements, prohibition, crime, literature, pop culture, and Hollywood's "Golden Age."
HIST366 American Indian HistoryThe course will introduce a basic outline of Native American history mostly from the sixteenth through the twentieth centuries through academic historical scholarship, primary documents, and films. Topics are generally representative of major issues but do not reflect the full diversity of Native experiences. Similarly, while our course is based on the professional discipline of academic history, we must acknowledge that such is not the only way to understand and communicate Indian history. The overriding course theme is sovereignty: we will examine the ways in which Native peoples negotiated changes over time to maintain their cultures and governments as distinct from dominant society and as defined and determined by themselves. We will assess the ideals of the United States versus the realities as experienced by American Indians.
HIST370a Colonial Latin American HistoryIn this first half of a two-semester introduction to Latin American History we will be looking at what is generally called the colonial period, spanning from pre-Columbian times until roughly 1825 when most Latin American countries gained their independence. We will study Latin America as a coherent and contradictory region, today composed of over twenty different countries. We will begin by looking at life in Europe and the Americas before the time of exploration. We will then study the exploration and conquest of the Americas. A large majority of our discussion will be exploring the colonization of the region and the establishment of rules and modes of life in the colonies of Spain and Portugal. Some themes we will touch on in order to come to a better understanding of Latin American history, economy, society, and culture include trade, slavery, race, gender, religion, and state formation. Although we will often focus on particular regions on given weeks, we will emphasize similarities and differences between different historical experiences.
HIST370b History of Latin America Since IndependenceIn this second half of a two-semester introduction to Latin American History we will be looking at what is generally called the national period, spanning from the struggles for independence, circa 1820s, until the present time. We will study Latin America as a coherent and contradictory region composed of over twenty different countries. Although we will often focus on particular regions on given weeks, we will emphasize similarities and differences between different historical experiences. In addition, we will see how Latin America itself does not work as an independent region all the time. We will test national, regional, and historical boundaries, in order to come to a better understanding of Latin American history, economy, society, and culture.
HIST371 History of CubaSince the early nineteenth century, much of the Cuban experience has been defined by the island’s relationship to the United States. Long coveted by U.S. government officials, Cuba was the site of the shift in U.S. policy from expansion to empire, the place of one the earliest revolutions against U.S. domination, and the governments of Cuba and the United States remain today bitter enemies. This class will focus on the close and complex relationship between the politics, economy, and culture of the island with those of the United States. To this end, we will work as a group to understand how events in Cuban history were viewed both by the people who lived through them and by later historians.
HIST380A History of East Asia to 1600This course surveys the history of China, Korea, and Japan from antiquity to 1600. We will examine the evolution of social and economic institutions, religion and thought, art and literature, and ways of life within these three regions in response to both indigenous conditions and cross-cultural influences. Prior knowledge of East Asian history and culture is helpful but not required.
HIST380B History of East Asia since 1600This course surveys the history of China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan from 1600 to the present. We will examine the major sociopolitical, economic, ideological and cultural trans-formations that took place in these three regions within the context of modernization, imperial-ism and colonialism, world wars and revolutions, and processes of globalization. Prior know-ledge of East Asian history and culture is helpful but not required.
HIST381 Modern India This course traces Indian and South Asian history from ca. 1500 to the present day. After a brief consideration of the history of the Indian subcontinent before the Mughals, the course will focus on the Mughal Empire, the East India Company and its eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century conquest of India, Company rule, the Great Rebellion of 1857, Crown rule, the Anglo-Indian en-counter, the rise of Indian nationalism and Hindu-Muslim communalism, M.K. Gandhi, partition of the subcontinent and independence in 1947, and India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh since 1947. Contemporary issues such as Hindu fundamentalism, caste, untouchability, the role of women, the development of democracy and authoritarianism in South Asia, and India’s burgeoning economy will also be discussed.
HIST383 Islamic CivilizationThis course introduces students to Islamic history, culture and civilization from the rise of Islam in Arabia in the seventh century to the early nineteenth century. Topics include the formation of the Islamic community, the fundamental teachings of Islam, Islamic expansion, Sunni and Shi’i Islam, Sufism and popular Islam, Islamic law and Islamic political thought, the position of women in Islamic thought and practice, Islamic science, art and culture, contact and confrontation between Islam and the West, Islam in borderlands, and the Abbasid, Safavid and Ottoman Islamic civilizations.
HIST384 The Modern Middle EastThis course surveys the history of the Middle East from the late eighteenth century until the pre-sent, concentrating primarily on the Ottoman Empire and its successor states and Iran. Topics include reform in the Ottoman Empire and Qajar Iran, Islamic and popular responses to increased European economic and political penetration, nationalism and nationalist movements (Ottomanism, Arab and Turkish nationalisms), World War One and the end of the Ottoman Empire, secularism and modernity, colonialism and the Arab mandates, Palestine and the Arab-Israeli conflict, radicalism and revolution in the Arab Middle East, the Cold War in the Middle East, the impact of oil on state and society, the Iranian Islamic Revolution and the resurgence of Islamic movements since the 1980s, and conflicts in the Middle East in the post Cold War era.
HIST387A Africa to 1800 (Same as Black American Studies 314A)This course surveys African history from the ancient times to c. 1800. It is structured chrono-logically, thematically, and regionally. Starting with the earliest available record about human appearance in Africa, the course explores the social, cultural, political, religious, and economic foundations of ancient African civilizations in the Nile Valley (Egypt, Nubia and Axum), and in the Western Sudan (Ghana, Mali, and Songhai), and in Eastern, South-Central and Southern Africa (Swahili, Kongo and Great Zimbabwe). A substantial amount of time will be devoted to discussion of the African encounter with Europeans in the sixteenth century and the rise of the Atlantic slave trade. The course ends with the assessment of the consequences of the Atlantic slave trade, growth of the legitimate commerce, and beginning of colonial conquest in the nineteenth century. Course presentation includes lectures, documentary films/videos, and discussions. By the end of the semester, the students will acquire a clear picture of the history of Africa in a global setting.
HIST387B Africa since 1800 (Same as Black American Studies 314B)This course explores modern African history from 1800 to the present. It examines the internal and external factors that shaped political, economic and social changes throughout the continent during the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries. It analyzes the European scramble for Africa and the African responses to colonial rule. Economic and social conditions during the colonial period, developments in the inter-war period, and the nationalist movements during the post World War II era will be discussed. The course concludes with a discussion on independence and highlights the challenges of post-independence era. The course covers the following major themes in African history. * Nineteenth Century Africa * Africa on the Eve of Colonialism * Partition and Colonial rule in Africa * Decolonization * Independence History 392 Historical Research and WritingHistory 392 is a required course for all History majors and is designed to introduce students to the skills and methods essential to historical research and writing. Over the course of the semester, you will identify an original research topic, develop a plan for researching the selected topic, conduct primary and secondary research, and write an original historical research paper. Along the way, the class will explore a range of themes related to both the study of history and the practice of history writing. We will explore the ways that historians define evidence, examine debates among historians over differing interpretations of the same event, and discuss what it means to think and write "historically." These explorations will help you as you conceptualize your own project. This course if also designed to encourage you to think of historical research and writing as a collaborative process. To that end, throughout the semester, you will be required to take an active role in class discussions, share your progress and findings with the rest of the class, and read and respond to the work of your peers in a constructive and supportive manner. The course is taught in an informal seminar setting: thus, you will be expected to participate more fully than in a standard, lecture-format course. Regular attendance is absolutely mandatory and is vital to the success of the course. Fulfills the CoLA Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (WAC) requirement.
393 Twentieth Century Military History An introduction to the problems of armed conflict throughout history with particular emphasis on the twentieth century and the transformation of warfare during the era of the World Wars. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or consent of instructor.
HIST406 Family and Gender in Pre-Modern Europe (Same as Women’s Studies 406)A discussion of the history and the creation of gender roles from ancient times to the nineteenth century in Europe.
HIST412A Empire and Conflict in the Roman RepublicThis course is about the social, political, and cultural consequences of ongoing warfare, con-quest, and imperial domination by Rome during the “Republican” period–from c. 500 BCE (Before the Common Era) to 49 BCE. While much of the class will focus on the Romans them-selves, we will also look at other Mediterranean societies and their interactions with Rome during this time of expansion. The class will be approximately 50 percent lecture, and 50 percent discussion; ongoing student participation is essential. The course is designed to familiarize students with some of the major issues confronting historians of this period, especially in the analysis of primary source materials. Consequently, the reading load is heavy and a high level of self-motivation is necessary. You will be expected to participate on an ongoing basis by attending lectures and discussions, by reading the assigned material, and by doing the written work thoughtfully and critically. Learning history in this way is a cumulative process of acquiring skills: critical analysis, source interpretation, and clear writing techniques. I expect that your written work will improve over the course of the semester, showing on ongoing commitment to developing and improving the skills necessary for careful historical analysis. Therefore, the papers are weighted more heavily as the semester progresses. At the same time, don’t ignore the fact that participation is thirty percent of your grade, and my evaluation of your participation begins from the start of the semester. No matter how brilliant your papers are, you won’t be able to get an overall A unless you show an ongoing commitment to class participation.
HIST 413 Christianization of Power and Society in Late AntiquityThis course is about the political and social transformations in Western Europe that occurred between the third and the eighth centuries after Christ, including the rise of the Catholic Church, the disintegration of the Western Roman Empire, and the transfer of political power from Roman Emperors to the Germanic kings of the “barbarian” kingdoms in Spain, North Africa, Italy, France, and England. This period saw the crumbling of ancient, or “classical” culture in the Mediterranean basin, and the beginnings of the full Christianization of the new western European societies. This course will focus on the process of Christianization, particularly in terms of the relationship between Christianity and social power.
HIST417 Ritual and Revolt in Early Modern Europe.This course examines political practices on different levels of European society from the later middle ages through the Enlightenment: court ritual, popular revolts, patronage networks, re-presentative assemblies and family politics are among the topics covered. The focus on the Renaissance in Italy and in particular on its relation to the social and economic context in which it developed. The spread of humanism and humanistic values to other areas of Europe will also be considered. Concentrates on the movement of religious reforms in the 16th Century. Emphasis on its roots in the past, particularly in earlier expressions of popular piety and to the wider social and political effects in the 16th and 17th centuries.
HIST 425A EUROPE: 1914-1945This course will examine a tumultuous period some scholars have referred to as this century’s “thirty years war.” For Europeans, the years between 1914 and 1945 were defined by the memories and legacies of World War I. The after-effects of this first “modern” war resonated in the political developments, social relations, and cultural trends of the era--from the Russian Revolution, to the rise of fascism and totalitarianism, to the cultural radicalism of the 1920s, to the Great Depression, to the horror of a second, more devastating total war. Through readings, lectures, discussions, films, and slides, we will attempt to obtain a deeper understanding of these events from the perspective of those who experienced them first hand.
HISTORY 425B EUROPE: 1945-Present This course traces the political, economic, social, and cultural developments in Europe after the Second World War. This period is largely defined by cold war tensions between the capitalist West and the communist East. Studying the cold war entails looking not only at international political developments, but also at the self-understanding of Europeans—their lingering memories of and debates about the War, their reaction to the arrival of foreigners in European countries, and their attitudes toward democracy. In this course, we will also look at ideological upheaval and revolutionary movements in the East and West, the relationship between Europe and America, the falls of European empires and communist systems, and European unification at the end of the century. Through readings, lectures, discussions, films, and slides, we will attempt to obtain a deeper understanding of these events from the perspective of those who experienced them first hand.
HIST426 Cities and Culture in EuropeThe two generations between the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) and the outbreak of World War I (August 1914) formed an extremely rich period of social, economic, political, and cultural change. In this course we will take a look at four European cities (Paris, Vienna, Berlin, and St. Petersburg) in this period which corresponds roughly to the so-called fin-de-siècle period of artistic change and decadence. This course follows a seminar format, in other words, there will be little lecturing but extensive readings and discussion in class.
HIST427 World War IThis course aims to introduce you to some of the fundamental issues, events, controversies, and outcomes of the first World War, 1914-1918. This is not a course in military history; we will spend some time on battles but military strategy, generals, and the like will be at best a secondary consideration for us. World War I affected all aspects of life in Europe and in many parts of the world – these political, economic, social, and cultural effects will be our main concern. Readings range from historical texts to memoirs to literary accounts. This course follows a seminar format, in other words, there will be little lecturing but extensive readings and discussion in class.
HISTORY 444 The Holocaust in History and Literature This course introduces students to Nazi Germany’s systematic mass murder of Europe’s Jews and other minorities during the Second World War. While its primary focus is the history of these genocides and the historical discussions and debates that have arisen since 1945, it also attempts to present the students with a literary perspective on the Holocaust. Topics to be covered include the history of anti-Semitism, the debate over the role of Hitler in the Holocaust, the mindset of the perpetrators, Jewish reactions to the Holocaust, Holocaust denial, the “uniqueness” of the Holocaust, and memory after Auschwitz. We will read documents from the time period, contemporary historical studies on the Holocaust, and survivor accounts of their experiences.
HIST 446 Cultural Encounters between China and the West A study of the history of cultural encounters between China and the West within the context of Eurasian transcontinental and maritime trade, religious and diplomatic missions, military con-quests, colonialism, travel and migration. The focus is on the period after 1500. All required readings are in English. Open to both graduate and advanced undergraduate students.
HIST447: Culture and Imperialism This course focuses on the culture of British imperialism from ca. 1800 to the present day. It will examine the impact that the people and commodities of the empire as well as the practices of imperial rule had on modern British culture. The chief focus of the course will be on the various ways “imperial culture” mediated race, class, and gender relations within both Britain and its empire.
HIST448 Gender and Family in Modern United StatesThis course explores gender and the family in the United States over the last century. It is divided into three parts. Part I deals with the diversity of American family life in the first decades of the twentieth century and traces the various socioeconomic forces that loosened familial bonds and altered gender relations between 1900 and 1930, including changes in the structure of wage labor, the expansion of higher education, the rise of the modern welfare state, and the growth of mass culture. In Part II, we turn to the United States at mid-century and look at how emphasizing gender and the family as categories of historical analysis challenges traditional accounts of major events between 1930 and 1973, including the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Vietnam War. The final part of the course explores the importance of gender and the family in American politics since the 1970s. Here, we explore the revival of modern feminism, debates about "what makes a family," the family in post-industrial society, and the meaning of the family during national crises.
452A and B United States History 1850-1896 (a) Civil War era; (b) the origins of modern America; reconstruction and nationalization; 1865-1896. The study of the background to the Civil War, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Gilded Age.
HIST455 The Conservative View in U.S. HistoryThis seminar traces the evolution of American conservative thought, from the eighteenth century to the present day. We begin by defining “conservatism.” Why is it considered a “problem” for historians? How does American conservatism differ from its European counterparts? What do traditionalists, neoconservatives, and libertarians have in common? Where do they disagree? This course also examines conservative and libertarian involvement in important historical movements including abolitionism, feminism, and anticommunism. Seminar participants will discuss the conservative response to Progressivism, the New Deal, and the Great Society. Finally, we will explore contemporary conservative perspectives on assorted issues, including race relations, religion, abortion, and the welfare state.
HIST456 The U.S. in the SixtiesThis course explores the roots, events, ideas, and legacies of what has come to be called “the sixties.” Much of our focus will be on the protest movements of the era, but we will also consider government policy and how “the sixties” is remembered and used in politics and popular culture. Throughout the course we will be concerned not only with what happened and why, but also with representations of the era’s social protest movements in manifestoes and other documents, and in the media, film, and music of the time. We will also discuss interpretations by scholars and culture critics, then and now. The course demands a strong commitment on your part; there will be daily reading requirements, weekly writing assignments, and a take-home final.
HIST 458 Bantu DiasporasThis course examines the origins and development of Bantu language and culture groups in Africa and the Atlantic World from the early growth of Bantu-speaking groups thousands of years ago through the end of slavery in the Americas. The initial focus of the course addresses the processes through which Bantu language and culture groups emerged and expanded through-out much of Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa. The course then links these long-term developments to the extension of Bantu Africa into the Americas through the forces of the Atlantic trade in African captives. Additionally, the course explores the multiple methods and disciplines used to construct histories of Bantu language and culture groups.
462 History of American Health and Medicine Readings and discussion about the development of modern medicine as it affected patients and doctors in the United States. Health care will be traced historically, with discussions of the development of medical science as well as medical organizations and institutions. Approved as a Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (WAC) course.
HIST464 American Business HistoryThis course examines the growth of the American economy, business thought, the evolution of the firm, and the changing place of women and minorities in American business society. It also explores the intersection between business and other institutions in American life, including labor, law, government, literature, education and religion.
466A and B History of the American West (a) Trans-Appalachian Frontier; (b) Trans-Mississippi Frontier. The American frontier and its impact on American society from the colonial period to the 20th century.
469 Darwin and the Darwinian World Readings and discussion on the impact of Charles Darwin on American thought and culture. Focus areas include religion, social ethics, political criticism, social critics, economics, the genteel tradition, utopian writers, race, and imperialism. Approved as a Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (WAC) course.
HIST470 Democracy and Development in Latin AmericaThe relationships of the Latin American countries with the United States have profoundly shaped their economic development and their struggles for democracy. The influence of the United States has been nowhere stronger than in the Caribbean basin. Together, we will work to understand the complex effects that proximity to the United States has had on the political and economic experiences of these countries and how they have been interpreted by later historians.
HIST476 Women in Chinese HistoryA social, cultural history of women’s lives in China from antiquity to the present reconstructed on the basis of official and unofficial records, artistic representations, literary works, and films. Open to both graduate and advanced undergraduate students. All required readings are in English.
HIST479 The Cultural RevolutionThe Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976 has been recognized as the darkest era in the history of the People’s Republic of China. The nationwide chaos, terror, and ultra-leftist frenzy brought the Chinese society, economy, and even the natural environment to the brink of collapse, and tens of millions of ordinary people had their lives turned upside down, their psyche deeply scarred. Who started the Cultural Revolution and why? How was it possible that a chaos of such magnitude could come about and persist for so long? And what were its legacies? This course invites you to explore such questions by critically examining a wide variety of sources, including official documents, personal memoirs, oral histories, literary and artistic works, and material artifacts.
HIST480B Twentieth-Century ChinaThe twentieth century was one of the most eventful centuries for China in its 5000-year history. It saw the collapse of the imperial system, the uprooting of age-old beliefs and cultural practices, civil war and foreign invasion, political revolutions, famine and social chaos, economic reconstruction and the re-emergence of the nation as a major world power at the century’s end. In this course we will both seek answers to the “what,” “who” and “why” with respect to each of these major historical events and attempt to comprehend them as human lived experiences. We will strive to do so by critically engaging a variety of historical (including literary, visual and audio) sources. Prior knowledge of Chinese language, history and culture is helpful but not required.
HIST486 The Arab-Israeli ConflictThis course focuses on the background to, and current dimensions of, the continuing conflict between Israel, the Palestinians and the rest of the Arab world. Beginning with origins of Zionism in the late nineteenth century, it examines the end of Ottoman Palestine, principle developments under the British mandate, the foundation of Israel, Israeli politics and society, Palestinian responses, relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors including wars and the failed attempts at peace, the Palestinian uprising and recent developments.
HIST488 Islamic Political MovementsThis course examines the use of Islamic ideals and rhetoric in political movements from the nineteenth century to the present. It looks at how Islam has been and is used in support of democracy and in efforts to overthrow democratic forms of government; at Islamic Socialism, at fundamentalist Islamist politics and at reformist, modernizing Islamist politics. Although we examine the philosophical underpinnings of Islamic politics, the primary focus is on political parties and social movements such as the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, the Welfare Party in Turkey, and Hamas in Palestine.
493 Political Violence in Modern EuropeStudents in the early twenty-first century often assume that terrorism is a new phenomenon. In fact, the use of violence as a state and non-state “policy” can be traced directly to the French Revolution. This course aims to help students understand the historical roots of present-day terrorism by examining different forms of political violence – whether exercised by states or by individuals – over the past two centuries. Some of our topics in this course are the French Revolution; terrorism in Russia in the 19th century; the Holocaust; the Gulag in the USSR; and post-war terrorism in Europe and in the world. This is a discussion course based on extensive reading, minimal lecturing, and demanding a high level of student participation.
HIST497 Historical Museums, Sites, Restorations, and ArchivesThis course explores the development of museums from antiquity to the present, with emphasis on the United States. Additional topics include historical sites such as battlefields, historic buildings, restorations, monuments and archives. HIST499 also examines the purposes and functions of the museum and the tasks of professionals employed in museums or interpretive centers. This course is given in conjunction with the University Museum.
History 499 Senior Seminar in History – Topics Vary from year to year. Below are some recent topics:
Topic: “War & Society: The U.S. and World War II”This course is designed to provide a senior capstone experience for the History major. It will focus on the U.S. during World War II, examining the major events, issues, and figures pro-minent on the home front and the battlefront. We will analyze—through primary and secondary materials—America’s role as a global power during this world-wide cataclysm, examining both change and continuity in society, war, and government. This course is also designed to build on the substantive framework provided in History 392. In addition to researching and writing a research paper on some topic related to the U.S. & World War II, you will also explore important secondary works in class discussion.
Topic: “Disease and Power”In this senior-level research seminar we will explore the role of disease and medicine in history. In the first half of the semester we will be reading articles in a variety of topics relating to the role of disease and medicine in different aspects of history. While these readings are organized in four main themes: class, nation, gender, and race; in many cases the topics might overlap and interrelate, and other themes of interest can be discussed. While you are becoming familiar with the general themes of the history of medicine in the first half of the course, you will also work on determining a paper topic and begin the process of research for your paper. In the second half of the semester the class will focus on the writing of the final research paper
Topic: “The Business of Vice in U.S. History”This seminar examines the vices discussed in historian John C. Burnham's provocative Bad Habits: Drinking, Smoking, Taking Drugs, Gambling, Sexual Misbehavior, and Swearing in American History (New York University Press, 1993), which is required reading and a starting point for thinking about research topics. Rather than research efforts at reform, this seminar focuses on the promotion, acceptance, and commercialization of these various vices. Proponents of vice included a diverse group of interests: business (beer brewers, cigarette companies, mass media, advertisers, entertainers, prostitutes, drug dealers); civil libertarians; sexual "swingers" as well as those living a "countercultural" lifestyle governed by an "anything goes" philosophy. While the focus is on the business (promotion) of vice, all topics must consider the ever-present environment of reformers seeking to ban or restrict these perceived social evils.
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