History
History Faculty:
Alan Havig, Ph.D.
History Minor
Required Courses
Three (3.0) HIS courses at the 200 level.
Two (2.0) HIS courses at or above the 300 level.
American Studies
Course
AMS
315: Popular Culture in 20th Century America
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: completion of lower-division liberal arts requirements)
A survey and analysis of the popular arts, their social and cultural
significance, and their mass audience in America since the late
19th century. Attention given to definitions of the field of popular
culture study, to methods of studying the popular arts, to the elite
critique of popular culture, and to the defense of the latter from
these criticisms. The course studies selected case studies of popular
arts.
History
Courses
HIS
204: 19th Century America
(3 hrs.)
(Open to all students)
An overview of important themes in 19th century American history,
including changing race, gender and class relations; federal-state
governmental relationship; and economic growth and the role of government
in the economy. This course includes study of the causes and results
of the Civil War. It draws upon American history prior to 1800 to
lay a foundation of understanding for such matters as Constitutional
evolution.
HIS 205: 20th Century America
(3 hrs.)
(Open to all students)
An overview of important themes in 20th century American history,
including changing race, gender and class relations; economic expansion
and recession; the changing role of government in the economy; political
party history and the growth of the presidency; the emergence of
mass culture; and the development of American foreign policy.
HIS 220: American Business and Labor History
(3 hrs.)
(Open to all students)
The development of American corporate capitalism and industrial
technology since the early 19th century, the evolution of labor
organizations, working class life and the relationship between the
federal government and both business and labor.
HIS 230: Early Modern Europe: 1485–1789
(3 hrs.)
(Open to all students)
Introduces students to the beginnings of modern institutions that
have shaped our world, including capitalism, nationalism, religion,
humanism, science and revolution.
HIS 240: Regional History and Culture: The American West
(3 hrs.)
(Open to all students)
The history of the trans-Mississippi River region of the United
States, with emphasis on the process of westward movement and community-building
in the 19th and 20th centuries. Materials and activities will illuminate
such themes and concepts as region and sectionalism; federal-state
relations; gender, class and race in the West over time; the impact
of human activity on the natural environment; and the Western image
in fiction and film.
HIS 242: Regional History and Culture: The American South
(3 hrs.)
(Open to all students)
The history of the American South with emphasis on the period since
Reconstruction. Course considers and investigates such concepts
and themes as region and sectionalism in the American context; federal-state
relations; and class, gender and race in the South over time. The
course employs literature, film and original documents as well as
narrative and analytical studies by historians.
HIS 258: Readings in History
(3 hrs.)
(Open to all students)
Important, well-written and interesting examples of recent research
and writing (monographs and biographies) introduce students to the
nature of historical study.
HIS 280: Topics in History
(3
hrs.)
(Prerequisite: dependent upon topic; may be repeated for credit
with different topic)
A study of the history of a particular phenomenon or epoch. Topics
change; consult course schedule for current topic.
HIS 303: 19th Century Europe
(3
hrs.)
(Prerequisite: HIS 230 or HIS 231 and junior or senior standing
or permission of instructor)
Examines in depth the massive changes that laid the foundations
of our own time, from the restoration of Europe after the defeat
of Napoleon to the disastrous collapse into World War I.
HIS 304: 20th Century Europe
(3
hrs.)
(Prerequisite: HIS 230 or 231 and junior or senior standing, or
permission of instructor)
Covers the period from the end of World War I to the present, focusing
on social- political history as well as diplomatic history.
HIS 380: Topics in History
(3
hrs.)
(Prerequisite: dependent upon topic; may be repeated for credit
with different topic)
A study of the history of a particular phenomenon or epoch. Topics
change; consult course schedule for current topic.
Independent Study
Independent studies (special studies, tutorials,
readings, projects) may be proposed by students who wish to investigate
a subject not otherwise available. Information about independent
study may be obtained in department offices or the Office of the
Registrar.
