HIS 101 History of Western Civilization I: Ancient Medieval and Early Modern
Credits: 3.00
This course is a survey of the origins of Western civilization starting with prehistoric man and the emergence of agriculture. The course continues with the study of the Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations, Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages and Europe up through the Renaissance and Reformation to roughly the eighteenth century. These civilizations are studied by looking at their economy, religion, politics, art, literature and everyday life. This course meets General Education Core Goal 6: Intellectual Heritage and Core Goal 9: Behavioral and Social Sciences
HIS 102 History of Western Civilization II: Modern European History
Credits: 3.00
A survey of western civilization covers the period from the middle of the seventeenth century to the twenty-first century. The course begins with the Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment and the French Revolution, and then proceeds to look at other challenges in society and culture and the impact of the West on the rest of the world through imperialism, totalitarianism and conflict. The Cold War and the modern period conclude the course. This course meets General Education Core Goal 6: Intellectual Heritage; Core Goal 9: Behavioral and Social Sciences; Core Goal 12: Global Perspectives and Diversity; and Core Goal 13: Ethical Reasoning and Behavior
HIS 121 World Civilizations I: to 1500
Credits: 3.00
This course is a survey of the civilizations that have occurred in the world from prehistory to 1500. Comparisons will be made among the civilizations of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. All aspects of these civilizations will be looked at including government, society, economy, culture, and religion. This course offers a view of all the world's civilizations and how they relate to each other.
HIS 122 World Civilization: From 1500
Credits: 3.00
This course is a continuation of HIS 121. It is a survey of the major events that have occurred in the world since 1500. The inter-relationships between the civilizations of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas provide many opportunities for comparisons of their varied histories. This course will help students gain a clearer understanding of a complicated, interdependent modern world.
HIS 160 Historic Preservation
Credits: 3.00
This is a one-semester course on historic preservation in the United States. Topics include the history of historic preservation, a brief survey of architecture, the relationship of archaeology and material culture to historic preservation and an overview of the National Register of Historic Places and the requirements and benefits of listing a property in the National Register. The role of local, state and federal governments and the role of the individual in historic preservation will be explored.
HIS 203 History of U.S.: to 1877
Credits: 3.00
A survey of the political, social, economic, and intellectual history of the United States from pre-Columbian Indians through the period of the Civil War and Reconstruction.
This course meets General Education Core Goal 6: Intellectual Heritage; Core Goal 9: Behavioral and Social Sciences; and Core Goal 12: Global Perspectives and Diversity
HIS 205 History of U.S.: From 1877
Credits: 3.00
A survey of the political, economic and intellectual history of the United States from the period of Reconstruction until the present. Emphasis is on the rise of industrial America and the growth of the country as a world power in the Twentieth Century. (HIS 205 can be taken without taking HIS 203.) This course meets General Education Core Goal 6: Intellectual Heritage; Core Goal 9: Behavioral and Social Sciences; Core Goal 12: Global Perspectives and Diversity; and Core Goal 13: Ethical Reasoning and Behavior
HIS 210 History of Pennsylvania
Credits: 3.00
A history of the state of Pennsylvania that emphasizes the key role it has played in the history of the nation. Emphasis will be placed on industrial development, cultural contributions, military events, and constitutional issues in which Pennsylvania has had a pivotal role. A regional visit to one historic site is a course requirement.
HIS 213 The Civil War and Reconstruction
Credits: 3.00
This course covers the period from the election of Lincoln in 1860 to the end of reconstruction in 1877. The military history of the war will be studied in its political and social context. Stress will be given to the revolutionary changes brought about by the War, especially those affecting African-Americans. Causes of the Civil War will be studied and how it evolved into a war against slavery. This course meets General Education Core Goal 6: Intellectual Heritage; Core Goal 9: Behavioral and Social Sciences; and Core Goal 13: Ethical Reasoning and Behavior
HIS 214 African-American Hist and Cult
Credits: 3.00
This course is a chronological survey of the history of African Americans from their African beginnings through the middle passage, captivity in America, Emancipation, Reconstruction, to their progress in the twentieth century. Five units in the history of African Americans will be emphasized-becoming African American, free blacks and slave blacks after the Revolution, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights movement and its aftermath. This course meets General Education Core Goal 12: Global Perspectives and Diversity and Core Goal 13: Ethical Reasoning and Behavior
HIS 215 American Immigration
Credits: 3.00
This course will examine the immigrant experience in the United States in a loose chronological manner by focusing on diversity issues, analyzing legislation and highlighting anti-immigrant social movements. The students will research the personal aspect of immigration by studying the lives of immigrants in autobiographical accounts and historical fiction. Class discussions will focus on discovering to what extent America is a society of immigrants.
HIS 216 Amer Revolutions, 1763-1800
Credits: 3.00
This course will study the revolutionary changes in the United States from the start of the conflict with Great Britain to the establishment of a strong government beginning to be leavened by the spirit of Jeffersonian Democracy. Political, economic, social, and military history will all be covered, but there will be a particular emphasis on the reading and discussion of ideas of the period, especially ideas on revolution, self-government, and democracy.
HIS 217 Amer Civilization: Comtemp Issues
Credits: 3.00
This is a one-semester course broadly covering issues in recent United States history, politics, education, economics, science, and social life. It is based on readings and class discussions which demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary knowledge and the scope of American life.
HIS 218 History of Latin America
Credits: 3.00
This course surveys Latin America from Pre-Columbian times to the present, emphasizing the twentieth century, political, economic, social and cultural trends, as well as the Latin America-United States relationship. This course meets General Education Core Goal 12: Global Perspectives and Diversity and Core Goal 13: Ethical Reasoning and Behavior
HIS 219 The Vietnam War
Credits: 3.00
This course is a history of the American experience in Vietnam. It is divided into two parts: 1) the origins of American involvement, 1945-1963; 2) the Vietnam War and its consequences, 1964-1975. This course meets General Education Core Goal 6: Intellectual Heritage and Core Goal 9: Behavioral and Social Sciences
HIS 224 Topics in Ancient and Medieval History
Credits: 3.00
Specialized sophomore level courses which will deal with a different subject each semester. Included will be courses such as Greece and Rome, the Rise of Civilization, and Medieval History, Women's History, History of War. Check with the Department of History as to which subject is dealt with when the course is offered.
HIS 225 Topics in Modern History
Credits: 3.00
Specialized sophomore level courses which will deal with a different subject each semester. Included will be such chronological histories as those of France, Germany, or England, or such topical histories as War, Society and Technology Western Imperialism or Culture and Society in European life. Check with the Department of History as to which subject is dealt with when the course if offered.
HIS 234 Asian Civilization
Credits: 3.00
This is a survey of the major civilizations of "monsoon Asia" with the focus on India, China and Japan. This course will emphasize the cultural, social, and economic forces that have shaped modern Asian life. Students will gain a greater appreciation of the differences and similarities between the societies of the East and West. This course meets General Education Core Goal 6: Intellectual Heritage; Core Goal 9: Behavioral and Social Sciences; Core Goal 12: Global Perspectives and Diversity; and Core Goal 13: Ethical Reasoning and Behavior
HIS 235 Modern China
Credits: 3.00
This course explores the origins and development of Modern China. The course starts with the fall of the Qing dynasty and the Western influence, and then proceeds to look at the rivalry between the Chinese Communist Party and the Nationalist Guomindang Party, the Sino-Japanese War, and the emergence of the People's Republic of China. This course concludes with an analysis of the Deng Xiaoping-Hu Jintao era. This course meets General Education Core Goal 6: Intellectual Heritage; Core Goal 9: Behavioral and Social Sciences; Core Goal 12: Global Perspectives and Diversity; and Core Goal 13: Ethical Reasoning and Behavior
HIS 240 History and Cultures of Africa
Credits: 3.00
This course deals with the geography, cultures, politics and economies of a variety of African nations from the earliest to the modern period. Some specific topics and developments students will learn about are ancient Egypt and Ethiopia, the influence of Islam on parts of Africa, slavery and the slave trade, Western colonization and the modern anti-colonial movement. The interaction between African countries and the world will be examined throughout the course.
This course meets General Education Core Goal 12: Global Perspectives and Diversity; and Core Goal 13: Ethical Reasoning and Behavior
HIS 241 The History of the Holocaust
Credits: 3.00
A survey of the Holocaust, the attempted annihilation of the Jews of Europe by Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945. This course also focuses on other destructive crimes carried out by Nazi Germany, including the mass murder of the Gypsies and the mentally and physically handicapped. The course will emphasize the nature and significance of the Holocaust and the impact of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping in other societies.
HIS 250 History of Modern Middle East
Credits: 3.00
After a brief survey of the Islamic background of the Middle East and the analysis of the rise and decline of the Ottoman Empire, the course focuses on the development of the Middle East since Napoleon's invasion of Egypt in 1798. Modernization, imperialism, and nationalism are the dominant themes in the history of this region in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The national histories of Turkey, Iran, the Arab states, and Israel are examined. Attention is given to the role of the Great Powers in the Middle East. This course meets General Education Core Goal 6: Intellectual Heritage; Core Goal 9: Behavioral and Social Sciences; and Core Goal 12: Global Perspectives and Diversity
HIS 260 History of Russia
Credits: 3.00
This course covers the period of Russian history from the beginning of the nineteen-century to present times. The course begins with the brief history of Russia before 1800s and then proceeds to look at changes in the social, economic and political structure of pre-revolutionary Russia, as well as the formation of the Soviet Union, its break-up in 1991 and the post-Soviet period. This course meets General Education Core Goal 6: Intellectual Heritage; Core Goal 9: Behavioral and Social Sciences; Core Goal 12: Global Perspectives and Diversity; and Core Goal 13: Ethical Reasoning and Behavior
HIS 299 Independent Study in History
Credits: 3.00
Individual guided study on one aspect of history. Classes and library work are supervised by the instructor, but the student is largely self-directed in his work. Prerequisite: A minimum of one year of History, and the consent of the Social Science Division Chair.
Last updated: 12/14/11
