History (HIS)
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 Amer
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
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 deve
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
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 necess
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 globaliz
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.
The second half of the survey begun by the Core concentration course,
HIS 300 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.
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 empha
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
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 addr
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 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 synthe
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 evaluatio
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 discuss