History

Associate Professor Margaret Cowan, Chair, Division of Humanities

History is a discipline concerned with the diversity of humankind and with social and cultural change over time. The study of the past offers liberation from confined thinking that cannot see beyond the present, and it helps the student achieve the deeper perspective essential to personal and intellectual growth. The Major in History serves as preparation for a host of occupations, including law, journalism, communications, the ministry, environmental studies, teaching, business, library information, or public service.

The Major in History consists of 43 hours, including 33 in history and 10 in related fields. Courses required are History 162, 242, 243, 351, 352, 371, and Humanities 201 and 347. Either History 203 or 221 is required. Three hours are selected from History 111, 112, 249, 251. Nine hours are chosen from History 303, 321, 333, 334, 335, 342, and 349. Six hours in related courses are selected from Art 111, 212, 311; Economics 334; English 221, 222, 311, 333, 334, 335; Music 312; Philosophy 201, 205, 206, 207; Religion 348;Theatre 314, 315.

The Major in History/Political Science for Teacher Licensure requires a minimum of 52 hours, including 33 hours in history, 4 hours in Humanities, and 15 hours in political science. Required courses are History 111, 112, 162, 203, 242, 243, 351, 352, 371 and Humanities 201 and 347. Six hours are chosen from History 303, 321, 333, 334, 335, 342, and 349. Required political science courses are Political Science 122, 211, 212, 321, and 322.

The Major in History/Economics for Teacher Licensure requires a minimum of 54 hours, including 33 hours in history, 4 hours in Humanities, and 17 hours in economics. Required courses are History 111, 112, 162, 203, 242, 243, 351, 352, 371, and Humanities 201 and 347. Six hours are chosen from 303, 321, 333, 334, 335, 342, and 349. Required economics courses are Economics 201, 221, 251, 321, and 331.

The Major in History for Teacher Licensure allows students the options of an add-on endorsement different from political science or economics and requires a minimum of 37 hours, including 33 hours in history and 4 hours in Humanities. Required courses are History 111, 112, 162, 203, 242, 243, 351, 352, 371, and Humanities 201 and 347. Six hours are chosen from History 303, 321, 333, 334, 335, 342, and 349.

The Minor in History consists of 15 hours, including History 162, 242 or 243; one course at the 300 level; and six hours in other courses in history.

The Minor in History for Add-On Teaching Endorsement requires the completion of 18 hours in History, including History 162, 203, 242, 243, one course chosen from History 111 or 112, and a World Cultures course chosen from 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, or 360.

For all major programs involving Teacher Licensure, additional liberal studies requirements are Psychology 101 and Sociology 271. Students pursuing licensure tracks must complete 29 credit hours of professional courses in teacher education. The professional courses are listed under Education in this catalog.

Course Descriptions

111. Colonial and Revolutionary America
3 credit hours
Examination of precontact native American people, culture, and society as well as the effect of European invasions; the European background to settlement in the New World; societies in the North, South, and Southwest; the quest for independence from Great Britain; and confederation and constitution.
112. History of the United States in the 19th Century
3 credit hours
Examination of the Early National Period; economic, political, and cultural changes in the Jacksonian era; slavery; abolition; sectionalism and Civil War; Reconstruction; and the beginnings of industrialism and imperialism.
162. Introduction to the Study of History. 3 credit hours
Reserved for first-year and second-year students; others need permission of instructor
Designed as an introduction for both the major and the minor in history, the course covers approaches to the past and historical methods, historiography, issues in and challenges to the historical profession, and teaching and learning history.
203. History of the United States in the 20th Century
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
Examination of political economy, Progressivism, World Wars, the Great Depression, the nuclear age, 1960s reforms, Vietnam, and the age of limits. Includes a major oral history research assignment.
221. Europe and the World in the 20th Century
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
This course traces the social and political transformation of Europe from the turn of the century to the post-Cold War period. Among the issues addressed are the two world wars, the diplomatic eclipse of Europe in the Cold War, changes in social structure, gender relations and economic life, and the break-up of the Cold War order.
242. World Civilization from Earliest Times to 1500 C.E.
3 credit hours
An introduction to the history of human communities, including the stone age, the major civilizations of the ancient and classical worlds, pre-modern developments, the role of “barbarians” in history, and the exchange of goods and ideas among different societies. Short papers which call for the interpretation of historical evidence and/or for primary source analysis will be assigned.
243. World Civilization from 1500 C.E. to the 20th Century
3 credit hours
An introduction to the history of the world since the dawning of the modern era. Among the themes addressed are the rise of European political and economic hegemony, capitalism, industrialism, revolution, the political decline of non-Western states, imperialism, and nationalism. Short papers which call for the interpretation of historical evidence and/or for primary source analysis will be assigned.
248. Appalachian Culture and Social History
3 credit hours
This course examines the cultural and social history of Southern Appalachia from Native American settlement to the present era. As social history, the course uncovers the economic, political, community and family-based relationships through which people of the region organized their lives. Particular attention will be paid to Native American-European-African encounters, the Civil War, industrialization, migration, and the political response to rural poverty in the 20th century. As cultural history, the course explores the multiple means through which the people of Southern Appalachia expressed their aspirations, fears, demands and reflections. This includes music, novels, the oral tradition, political discourse, religion, and material culture.
251. Economic History of the United States
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
Survey of American economic development from colonial times to the present. Special emphasis on the economic development of the South, the industrialization of the American economy, the development of banking, and the impact of international trade.
303. Studies in United States History
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: two courses from History 111, 112, 203
An in-depth examination of a particular theme in U.S. history, with subject matter changing regularly to suit the interests of students and faculty. Possible topics include: history of African Americans, of American women, of Native Americans, and American thought and culture.
321. Studies in Modern European History
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing or History 243
This course will examine a particular theme from the history of Europe since 1500, based on faculty expertise and student interest. Possible topics include: the Enlightenment and its aftermath, gender and class in modern Europe, political ideologies of modernity, and the crises of the twentieth century.
333. Studies in Asian History
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing or History 243
Note: students are strongly encouraged to enroll in Asian or African history courses that study regions different from those they study in their World Cultures courses
This course will cover in depth the history of the modern period of a major region of Asia, including both internal issues and responses to European challenges. The region to be studied will be selected on the basis of faculty expertise and student interest. Possible regions are India, China, and the Islamic World.
334. Studies in Latin American History
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing or History 243
This course will examine a particular theme in Latin American history, depending on faculty expertise and student interest. Possible topics include: pre-Columbian Latin America, the Iberian conquest, Latin America and the United States, and the history of specific countries in Latin America.
335. Studies in African History
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing or History 243
Note: students are strongly encouraged to enroll in Asian or African history courses that study regions different from those they study in their World Cultures courses
This course will examine a particular theme, era, or locale in the history of Africa since the sixteenth century. Possible topics include the history of southern Africa, the African colonial experience, the history of West Africa, and the African social history.
337. Internship in History
7 to 15 credit hours
Practical off-campus experience in a field setting. One credit hour is associated with each week of full-time employment.
342. Studies in Pre-Modern History
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing or History 242
This course will focus on selected topics in the classical and post-classical periods of world history. A major geographical area, such as classical Greece or India, or Medieval Europe, or a significant topical issue such as trade or warfare will be selected on the basis of faculty expertise and student interest.
343. Practicum in History
2 to 6 credit hours
An on- or off-campus experience that provides an introduction to careers and other opportunities for the history major. Involvement is expected to be at least three hours of activity per week during the semester for each credit hour given.
349. Topics in History
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing
Course content varies from year to year to meet the special interests, abilities, and needs of advanced students.
351-352. Senior Study
6 credit hours
Prerequisites: FRS 140, English Proficiency Exam, junior standing, History 162 and Humanities 347
The Senior Study requirement is fulfilled with this two-course sequence. The student carries out individualized research and writing under the guidance of a faculty supervisor, usually culminating in the writing of an extended analytical thesis. Ordinarily taken spring term of the junior year and fall term of the senior year.
371. Seminar in History
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing
Designed as a capstone in the major, the course will introduce students to the insights and challenges of comparative or global history. As a seminar, the course will require a high level of historical analysis and synthesis of global or comparative themes in recent history. Possible global themes include imperialism, decolonization, war and society in the twentieth century, and world trade. Possible comparative themes include frontiers, gender, racism, and revolution.