History, B.A.
Program Description
In accordance with our belief that History is, as G.R. Elton once put it, "the only living laboratory we have of the human experience," the History Department of La Salle University seeks to immerse its students as broadly as possible in that experience. In the best tradition of the Christian Brothers, we aspire to teach our students, "where we find them," regardless of means or status. Toward that end we take to heart the words of the University's mission statement, seeking "to educate the whole person by fostering a rigorous free search for truth." We believe that showing students the full reach of the human past "prepares students for the lifelong pursuit and exploration of wisdom, knowledge, and faith that lead to engaged and fulfilling lives marked by a commitment to the common good."
Why Take This Major?
History is a great major to keep your career options open, because majors acquire invaluable critical reading, writing, and thinking skills essential for jobs in all fields. History majors have ended up in just about every career imaginable, but it is an especially good major for careers in museums/archives, government (at the federal, state, or local levels), law, and teaching.
Degree Earned
B.A.
Required for Graduation
- Courses
- Major: 12
- Total: 38-40
- Credits
- Major: 36
- Total: 120
- GPA
- Major: 2.0
- Cumulative: 2.0
Student Learning Outcomes
- Identifying the major features of foundational American history and World history, and using the past to understand contemporary issues.
- Understanding a range of historiographic approaches.
- Demonstrating competency in analyzing and evaluating secondary sources.
- Demonstrating competency in locating, contextualizing, and analyzing primary sources.
- Applying skills (I-IV) to ask historical questions and create evidence-based written arguments (synthesizing historical events).
- Valuing self-directed learning
Progress Chart
Level One - Core Courses
12 courses and 2 modules required.
Major Requirements
Major requirements include 4 Level Two ILO requirements, fulfilled through the major.
Students in this major must complete 38-40 courses in total in order to graduate. 12 courses will be from this major program.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Level One - Core Courses | ||
Universal Required Courses | ||
Students must complete the following 4 courses. | ||
ILO 8.1: Written Communication | ||
ENG 110 | College Writing I: Persuasion | 3 |
ILO 5.1: Information Literacy | ||
ENG 210 | College Writing II: Research | 3 |
ILO 1.1: Understanding Diverse Perspectives | ||
FYS 130 | First-Year Academic Seminar 1 | 3 |
ILO 2.1: Reflective Thinking and Valuing | ||
REL 100 | Religion Matters | 3 |
Elective Core Courses | ||
Students must complete 1 course in each of the following 4 ILOs. | ||
ILO 3.1a: Scientific Reasoning | ||
Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
ILO 3.1b: Quantitative Reasoning | ||
Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
ILO 6.1: Technological Competency | ||
Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
ILO 8.1a/12.1: Oral Communication/Collaborative Engagement | ||
Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
Distinct Discipline Core Courses | ||
Students must complete 1 course in each of the following 4 ILOs. Each course must be from a different discipline. (A "discipline" is represented by the 3- or 4-letter prefix attached to each course.) | ||
ILO 4.1: Critical Analysis and Reasoning | ||
Choose course within ILO 2 | 3 | |
ILO 9.1: Creative and Artistic Expression | ||
Choose course within ILO 2 | 3 | |
ILO 10.1: Ethical Understanding and Reasoning | ||
Choose course within ILO 2 | 3 | |
ILO 11.1: Cultural and Global Awareness and Sensitivity | ||
Choose course within ILO 2 | 3 | |
Universal Required Modules | ||
Students must complete the following 2 non-credit modules. 3 | ||
ILO 7.1a | ||
Health Literacy Module | ||
ILO 7.1b | ||
Financial Literacy Module | ||
Major Requirements | ||
Level Two | ||
Students must complete 1 course/learning experience in each of the 4 commitments. | ||
ILO 2.2: Broader Identity (Capstone Course/Experience) | ||
HIS 480 | (ILO 2.2) | 3 |
Select one ILO from 3.2a, 3.2b, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2, 7.2a, or 7.2b: Expanded Literacies | ||
Select one of the following: (ILO 4.2) | 3 | |
American Revolution | ||
Fiery Trial: Civil War | ||
Modern America | ||
America's Military Past | ||
The American Immigrant | ||
Topics in U.S. History | ||
ILO 8.2b: Effective Expression (Writing-Intensive Course) | ||
HIS 481 | Seminar (ILO 8.2b) | 3 |
Select one ILO from 10.2, 11.2, or 12.2: Active Responsibility | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Greek Civilization | ||
The Roman Empire | ||
The Early Middle Ages | ||
The Later Middle Ages | ||
The Holocaust | ||
20th-Century Russia and the USSR | ||
Traditional China To 1840 | ||
All Other Required Courses | ||
All History majors must take: 2 | ||
HIS 200 | U.S. Republic to 1877 | 3 |
HIS 202 | Themes in American History: A Biographical Approach | 3 |
HIS 205 | US Since 1877 | 3 |
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
The Americas before 1492 | ||
Global History From 1500 To the Present | ||
20th Century Global History | ||
Select one of the following two options: | 12 | |
Option A: | ||
Select one of the following ILO 4 courses: | ||
U.S. Republic to 1877 | ||
Themes in American History: A Biographical Approach | ||
US Since 1877 | ||
Option B: | ||
Select one of the following ILO 11 courses: | ||
The Americas before 1492 | ||
Global History From 1500 To the Present | ||
20th Century Global History | ||
Electives | ||
Select one additional history course at the 300- or 400-level | 3 | |
Seminar | ||
HIS 481 | Seminar 6 | 3 |
Concentrations | ||
Americas Concentration: | ||
5 Americas 300-349 electives and 3 Afro-Eurasian 350-399 electives | ||
Afro-Eurasian Concentration: | ||
5 Afro-Eurasian 350-399 electives and 3 more Americas 300–349 electives | ||
Free Electives | ||
In addition to the requirements listed above, students must take enough courses to the fulfill graduation credit requirements for their School and major. | ||
Total Credits | 78 |
- 1
Note. The following students use Level 2 Capstone Experience in Major instead of FYS 130 First-Year Academic Seminar: Honors, BUSCA, Core-to-Core, Transfer, and Non-Traditional/Evening
- 2
Note: All History majors must take HIS 200 U.S. Republic to 1877, or HIS 202 Themes in American History: A Biographical Approach, or HIS 205 US Since 1877 AND they must take HIS 206 The Americas before 1492, or HIS 251 Global History From 1500 To the Present, or HIS 255 20th Century Global History. Because of the distinct discipline requirement, a student may only apply one of these six courses toward the core. Majors may therefore choose Option A or Option B.
- 3
The Modules are not required for Transfer Students, Core-to-Core Students, or BUSCA Students. BUSCA students are required to take modules if/when they pursue a bachelor’s degree.
- 4
to be taken in addition to HIS 206 The Americas before 1492 or HIS 251 Global History From 1500 To the Present or HIS 255 20th Century Global History
- 5
to be taken in addition to HIS 200 U.S. Republic to 1877 or HIS 202 Themes in American History: A Biographical Approach or HIS 205 US Since 1877
- 6
All History majors, whether first, second, or Education with Social Studies Certification double majors, are required to take: HIS 481 Seminar
Recommended Course Sequence
- Fall Year 1: Core Americas (ILO 4.1)
- Spring Year 1: Core Afro-Eurasian (ILO 11.1)
- Fall Year 2: Two Upper-Level Electives
- Spring Year 2: Two Upper-Level Electives
- Fall Year 3: Two Upper-Level Electives
- Spring Year 3: Two Upper-Level Electives
- Fall Year 4: HIS 481 Seminar
- Spring Year 4: One Upper-level Elective
Dual Major Requirements
Double Majors: Students whose second major is History must complete all of the requirements for the History major listed above with the exception of the one additional upper-level elective course for a total of 11 courses.
Course Descriptions
History
This course examines the creation of the United States, the modern world's first truly successful experiment in republican government (representative democracy). After tracing the 17th-century founding and 18th-century maturation of the British North American colonies, it covers the causes and results of the American Revolution, the political, social, and economic history of the early republic, how the Market Revolution transformed the lives of Americans, and how the Civil War resolved the ambiguous legacies of the American Revolutions. (Formerly His 300).
This introductory survey course covers United States history through the lives of representative Americans. Course readings consist of a series of paired biographies of major figures who confronted the pivotal issues and challenges of their times. Course readings consist of a series of paired biographies of major figures who confronted the pivotal issues and challenges of their times. Course themes include the establishment of the colonies, the emergence of American national identity, the founding and preservation of the republic, the struggle against slavery and racism, the spread of capitalism and industrialization, the rise of foreign affairs, the influence of immigration, the growth of the federal welfare state, and the creation of an inclusive society. Overall, the course addresses the experiences of different races, classes, genders, and ethnicities. (Formerly HIS 155.)
The second half of the survey begun by the Core concentration course, HIS 200, is presented in this study. It addresses the Progressive Movement, American involvement in World War I, the Roaring Twenties, America between the wars, World War II, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam Era, and the United States at the dawn of the 21st century. (Formerly His 305.)
This course is an introduction to the cultures and civilizations of the Americas prior to the period of sustained European contact. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we will examine how the American continents were peopled and how different groups developed in terms of society, culture, religion, politics, and economy. The course will emphasize material culture by looking at and learning to interpret a wide array of material sources, including archaeological sites, artifacts, buildings, landscapes, and many types of symbolic expression.
This course examines the development of the first civilizations in Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean, and the Americas, with the aim of exploring their distinctive approaches to human needs and social organization. Students are also introduced to historical methodology, historiography, and different perspectives on how we view the past. (Formerly HIS 151.)
This course offers a study of the evolution and interactions of the cultures of Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania from 1500 to the present, designed to give students a greater understanding of the relationships among modern nations so necessary in today's shrinking glove. Students also have the opportunity to further hone their skills in the areas of historian's craft introduced in HIS 151.
This course is a survey of global history during the 20th century. Key topics include the rise of modern ideologies, imperialism and neocolonialism, global conflicts (World Wars I and II and the Cold War), decolonization, economic integration and globalization. These topics will be examined through the lens of how the peoples of different countries and world regions shaped and were in turn shaped by the century's major developments.
Revolutions have shaped the modern world. Perhaps the most important of these revolutions gave birth to the United States, an experiment in republican government. Covering 1740-1790, this course analyzes the colonies' separation from Great Britain, an upheaval whose promise Americans have sought to fulfill for more than 200 years. Topics include the causes, results, stages, and historiography of the Revolution. This course examines how revolutionary the American Revolution really was, politically, militarily, socially, and ideologically. (Formerly His 402.)
This class traces the recent history of the world outside the “core,” using
case studies to try to understand the big picture of global history and
see how historical changes affected the daily lives of individuals in the
Third World. The topics covered will include the impact of the world
wars and the Cold War; the circumstances of empire, the processes of
decolonization, and the experiences of independence; and the history of
local economies in the face of globalization.
This course surveys Latin American history from the pre-contact era (with an emphasis on Aztec, Mayan, and Inca cultures) through the Spanish and Portuguese empires. It employs social, cultural, and political history perspectives.
This course is an introduction to the history of post-independence Latin America. It studies the political, social, and economic history of the former American colonies of Spain and Portugal from their revolutions for independence through the present day.
The Civil War has been called the defining moment in our nation's history. Not only did the conflict emancipate four million slaves, but it also settled a longstanding debate over American federalism and proved once and for all the success of the Founders' experiment in republican government. Covering 1850-1877, this course analyzes the causes, course, and aftermath of the most momentous war in American history. It explores political, constitutional, military, economic, and social issues. (Formerly HIS 415.)
Philadelphia was America's "First City" both in size and influence. Although its importance later declined, the city has continued to be an American icon. This course covers the development of Philadelphia from colonial times to the present, with an emphasis on social, political, and economic history. It considers how the peoples of the city have shaped it, the role Philadelphia has played in national history, and the nature of historical memory about the city. Lectures and discussion are complemented by field trips and student research.
Through this course, students will become proficient in the methods and theory of oral history. Students will read and discuss books and articles that explain oral history theory and methods and that demonstrate how historians use oral history interviews to construct interpretive historical narratives. Students will learn how to plan, conduct, process, transcribe, and digitally preserve oral history interviews. Themes may include political history, family history, labor and class history, gender history, African-American history, and military history.
This course examines the growth of government involvement at home and abroad since 1939 with readings and analysis of original documents. (Formerly HIS 425.)
Selected topics on the history of women in Europe from the Classical
Period to the 21st century will be explored in this course
An in-depth analysis of the experience of women in American culture is examined in this course. Special attention is given to the women's rights movement, women in the Industrial Revolution, and women in World War I and World War II.
The impact of the American military establishment upon American society and the formation of defense strategy and foreign policy are the topics of emphasis in this course.
This course focuses on the history of immigration to America and the ethnic impact upon American institutions.
This course begins by examining aspects of the indigenous societies prior to the arrival of Europeans in what has come to be called "Latin America." Throughout, it considers issues such as colonialism, militarism, race, gender relations, and religion that have shaped the societies, polities, and economies of nations from Mexico and the Caribbean to those of the Southern Cone. The goal of the course is to afford class members to opportunity to better understand Latin America's history as a basis for comprehending its likely future. Cross-listed with ECN 334 and POL 334.
This course covers African-American history from colonization to the modern Civil Rights Movement.
This course is an examination of selected topics illustrating the political, social, and cultural history of the United States.
Topics emphasized in this course include Russian colonization of Alaska, Russian diplomatic relations with the United States, Russian emigration to America, the Cold War, trade, and cultural exchanges between the Soviet Union and the United States.
This course is a study of the American frontier, emphasizing pioneer life, federal Indian policy, and the settlement of the Great Plains and Far West.
A survey of Europe in the “long nineteenth century,” this course begins
with the French Revolution and ends with the outbreak of World War
I. It focuses on the political and social history of France, Germany, and
Russia.
This course provides an historical analysis of presidential campaigns from 1900 to 1980, stressing the evolution of political techniques, issues, political parties, and presidential personalities.
This course is an examination of the history of the Muscovite state and
of the Russian empire from 1462 to 1917. Central themes will include
autocratic rule, statebuilding, imperial expansion, church-state relations,
Westernization, serfdom, popular rebellion, modernization, and revolution.
This course explores the interrelationship of the United States and the East Asian world in the modern period. (Formerly HIS 447.)
This course is an examination of selected topics illustrating the political, social, and cultural history of modern Europe.
This class traces the experience of colonialism and decolonization during the twentieth century, using case studies to try to understand the big picture of global history and see how historical changes affected the daily lives of individuals. The topics covered will include the impact of the world wars and the Cold War; the circumstances of empire, the processes of decolonization, and the experiences of independence; and the history of local economies in the face of globalization. (Formerly HIS 303.)
This course traces the unfolding of Western civilization from pre-history to the Renaissance. The legacies of Greece and Rome; the heritage of both early Christian Europe and the Byzantine and Islamic civilizations; and the contribution of later medieval society to the governmental, economic, and intellectual growth of Europe. (Formerly HIS 310.)
This course examines the causes and consequences of imperialism in the modern world. It considers and compares imperial institutions, ideologies, economies, and cultures. It also studies the variety of ways in which subject peoples shaped these encounters and evaluates the significance of these experiences for the post-colonial global order. (Formerly His 325.)
This course will examine the origins of World War II, its theaters of military operations in Europe, the Pacific, Asia, and North Africa, the impact of total war on combatants and civilians, and the memory of World War II. Students will learn how to apply historical methods such as document analysis, oral history, visual history, and public history to the study of World War II and how it is remembered.
This course is a survey that stresses the development of Greek civilization until the death of Alexander the Great. (Formerly HIS 335.)
This is a survey course that places a special emphasis upon the Roman Republic and the Empire until 476 A.D. (Formerly HIS 336.)
This course is a study of the period from 284 A.D. until circa 1000 A.D., emphasizing the synthesis of Roman, Christian, and barbarian cultures. (Formerly HIS 338.)
This course is a study of the period from circa 1000 A.D. until the Renaissance, focusing on the social, economic, intellectual, and political revival of Europe. (Formerly HIS 339.)
The Holocaust was the most significant human rights tragedy in twentieth-century history. This course examines the history and memory of the Nazi
campaign from 1933 to 1945 to stigmatize, isolate, and destroy European Jews. Roots of the Holocaust are addressed by examining European antisemitism. The Holocaust is placed into the context of Nazi consolidation of power and World War II. The course focuses on key events in the Holocaust, including Nazi policies to isolate Jews from 1933 on, the removal of German citizenship from Jews, the Night of the Broken Glass (Kristallnacht), deportations of Jews to concentration camps, the mass shootings of Jews on the Eastern Front during World War II, and the gassing of Jews to death in camps and mobile vans. Topics such as Allied response to the Holocaust, liberation of prisoners from the camps, treatment of displaced persons, and the Nuremburg trials are addressed. Students are introduced to intentionalist and functionalist arguments concerning the origins of the Holocaust. Much consideration is given to the role of perpetrators in carrying out the Holocaust and of bystanders who failed to intervene. Memory of the Holocaust is analyzed through documentary films, oral histories, memorials, and the phenomenon of Holocaust denial.
Central America, the Middle East, China, India, etc.
Beginning with World War I and ending with the collapse of the Soviet Union, this course surveys major events of twentieth-century European history.
This course is an examination of the history of the Muscovite state and of the Russian empire from 1462 to 1917. Central themes will include autocratic rule, statebuilding, imperial expansion, church-state relations, Westernization, serfdom, popular rebellion, modernization, and revolution. (Formerly HIS 348.)
Major themes of this course include revolution, collapse of the empire and creation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, industrialization, Stalinist repression, World War II, reform, and the collapse of the Soviet Union. (Formerly HIS 452.)
A survey of Europe in the "long nineteenth century," this course begins with the French Revolution and ends with the outbreak of World War I. It focuses on the political and social history of France, Germany, and Russia. (Formerly HIS 343.)
History 384 is an introductory survey of African history from the origins of humanity to the events of the recent past, with special attention paid to the early modern and modern eras. The course focuses on the global role of Africans in the history of the world, the importation of commodities and culture, the ways outsiders have portrayed Africa and Africans, the daily lives and experiences of the continent's inhabitants, and the challenges of using the available sources for "doing" African history. (Formerly HIS 344.)
This course is an examination of the major political, social, and economic developments in Ireland since the Famine of 1845. (Formerly HIS 440.)
This course analyzes the political, socio-economic, and cultural history of modern Britain. It explores the development of parliamentary government,
democracy, the modern state, empire, capitalism, and urbanindustrial society as well as the cultural changes accompanying and informing these transformations. British modernity was indeed precocious, and this course evaluates the context, causes, and consequences of that experience.
This course examines the political and economic conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa and provides a historical perspective on these conditions. Issues examined include the political and economic consequences of colonialism, post-independence political forces and economic policies, and U.S. foreign policy toward Africa. Course is offered only every other Spring (i.e. of odd numbered years).
This course will trace the social, political, cultural, and economic origins of the Chinese dynastic system, the elaboration and triumph of Confucianism, and the expansion of the empire south of the Yangtze and west to Central Asia. The course will conclude with an overview of the initial Western intrusion into this wealthiest and most populous of traditional civilizations. (Formerly HIS 350.)
Beginning with the traumas of the Opium Wars and Taiping Rebellion, this course will provide an overview of China's initial attempts at using foreign technology to safeguard the Confucian polity, the rending of the social fabric during the Republican and Civil War eras, and the eventual triumph of Chinese Communism. The economic reforms of Deng Xiaoping and the events leading to Tiananmen Square will receive particular attention. (Formerly HIS 351.)
For nearly two millennia, the people of Japan have shown a remarkable ability to marry religious, political, and cultural innovations from abroad with vigorous indigenous institutions. The result has been one of the world's most remarkable cultural syntheses. This course will trace the origins and developments of the imperial system, the influence of Shinto and Buddhism, the development and elaboration of the early Shogunates, and conclude with an examination of Tokugawa society on the eve of Japans' "opening" to the west. (Formerly HIS 352.)
This course will assess the astounding transformation of Japan from Tokugawa seclusion to the dynamic superpower of today. Along the way, such topics as the impact of the Meiji Restoration, Japan's "special relationship" with China and the Asian mainland, the grand catastrophe of World War II, and the resurgence of a demilitarized economic colossus in the Pacific Rim will be examined. (Formerly HIS 353.)
This course investigates the history of the modern Middle East since the 18th century. It examines the political, economic, social, and cultural transformations of this period in the Ottoman Empire, its successor states, Egypt, and Iran. Topics include the encounter with Western imperialism, modernization, ideological change, revolution, and war. (Formerly HIS 354.)
This course involves readings of certain basic books relating to a specific historical topic, theme, or era; assignments discussed in seminar-tutorial fashion.
Working under a public historian, a student will expand his/her understanding of History through participation at a historical site, museum, or archive. The internship requires meetings with a faculty supervisor, a project, a major paper, and an evaluation by the site historian.
As the senior seminar in history, the course leads toward a capstone project that integrates the skills historians use when researching and writing history. Reading, discussion, and writing are major requirements of the course. The course includes discussion of historiography, selections of a research topic, and the mechanics of research and writing an essay. During the first half of the semester, the end product will be an annotated bibliography, which is a prerequisite for the research paper to be produced during the second half of the course. the object of this course is to take the expertise acquired in the history curriculum and carry out an advanced research project. The instructor will choose an overarching theme or topic for the course that offers broad possibilities for the student projects.
Program Contact Information
Stuart Leibiger, Chair
345 Hayman Hall
leibiger@lasalle.edu
(215) 951-1090