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History
The courses listed below are for the 2012-13 Academic Catalog and are subject to change. Please reference the Academic Catalog for further information and course descriptions. If you are a current student, please reference the catalog in which you come under.
U.S. History (choose 2 courses) 6 credit hours
History of the United States I
HIS 201Affords students an opportunity to gain an understanding of the history of the United States essential for American citizenship. The course endeavors to recount and explain the development of American democracy. It examines ideas, institutions and processes that affected the achievements of the American people. It focuses on decisions that reflected national goals and directed national purposes; on people who made these decisions; and on problems in foreign policy, growth of capitalism, political practices, social behavior and conflicting ideals.
History of the United States II
HIS 202This is the follow-up course to History of the United States I. This course allows the student the opportunity to gain an understanding of the history of the United States essential for American citizenship from 1877 forward. The course endeavors to recount and explain the development of American democracy. It examines ideas, institutions and processes that affected the achievements of the American people. It focuses on decisions that reflected national goals and directed national purposes; on people who made these decisions; and on problems in foreign policy, growth of capitalism, political practices, social behavior and conflicting ideals.
American Ethnic Relations
HIS 368Where did your ancestors come from? How did they shape America? What is AmericaÐa melting pot, mosaic, or unequal mix? This course examines the complex dynamics of race and ethnicity in the United States. Through this course you will better understand the social and cultural characteristics of different racial and ethnic groups, their histories, and the ongoing politics of racial and ethnic relations. We will explore some of the most interesting and controversial issues in American public discourse, including immigration policy, affirmative action, assimilation, and diversity in education. We will engage these topics primarily through sociological data and ethnographic case studies, as well as through critical reflection on our own experiences and through interactions with members of various local communities. Although an upper-level social science course, the content of this course is important for majors in all fields interested in gaining a better understanding of AmericaÕs diversity.
History of the South since 1865
HIS 348This course examines the factors that have made the South a distinctive part of the United States, from the end of the Civil War to the present. In doing so, the course treats geographic, socio-economic, ethnic political, and cultural developments in the region.
Global History (choose 2 courses) 6 credit hours
World Civilizations I
HIS 103From the earliest human societies to the cusp of the modern world, World Civilizations to A.D. 1500 introduces students to the pageant of human history, with a global focus. Students will become familiar with the key factors and in the rise of the earliest civilizations, how they blossomed, transformed and, in many cases, fell. The course ends in 1500, when global interactions increase in their scope and their velocity. Special attention will be paid to interactions between seemingly separate societies and to the effects these interactions have had since the beginnings of human civilization. Through writing assignments, the study of primary source documents and through essay-based examinations, students will gain a familiarity with the document-based art of history.
World Civilizations II
HIS 104It might be argued that A.D. 1500 signaled the dawn of the global era. Or was there no dawn, was there merely the growth of earlier global reactions fostered by new technologies? World Civilizations from A.D. 1500 explores the last half-millennium, a time during which global contacts increased both in their scope and in their velocity, creating a world system that requires our understanding if we are to function as informed citizens in the world today. Special attention will be paid to the increased exchange of information, technology and biota (including people) in an era of increased globalization, and to the impact that "Western"" cultures and ""non-Western"" cultures have had on each other. Through writing assignments
Globalization: People and Culture
HIS 315Globalization is one of the key concepts of our ageÑa term often used but little understood. Globalization is generally characterized by the increasing interconnectedness of economic, political, and cultural phenomena. These connections affect virtually all of the worldÕs peoples, often in intimate ways. Understanding globalization is central to understanding life today, including such diverse phenomena as Mexicans in Mt. Olive and bombings in Baghdad. In order to be intelligent and compassionate actors in our contemporary world, it is important to explore the realities of globalization and consider its promise and peril. This course will do so primarily through the lens of anthropology, but will also draw upon insights and examples from other disciplines as well. The course will consider what globalization is, where it came from, and what its effects are. Students will look at why some people are excited about globalization while others resist it. They will consider how globalization affects our politics, our economics, and our culture, addressing such diverse topics as terrorism, immigration, religious fundamentalism, and the environment, as well as McDonaldÕs, Disney, cell phones, and hip-hop culture.
India: Past and Present
HIS 380India is a place of paradoxes: a land of great riches and grinding poverty; a land of indescribable beauty and unmentionable horrors; a land of GandhiÕs nonviolence and nuclear weapons; a land where the past and the present regularly collide and live in harmony. India is the worldÕs biggest democracy and is poised to be one of the great powers of the 21st century. To understand our contemporary world and where it is headed, it is essential that we understand India. In this course we will explore both the past and the present of India, focusing on its historical social and cultural diversity, and the issues its people confront today. We will pay particular attention to contemporary issues of nationalism, gender, communalism, and globalization, with a special focus on Indian popular culture and the Indian diaspora.
History Electives (choose 2 courses) 6 credit hours
Please see the 2012-13 Academic Catalog for a complete listing of all courses within the history curriculum.
*Of the 18 credit hours required for the minor, 9 hours must be at the 300 or 400 level.
