HISTORY (HIST)

Professors: Larson (Chairperson), Morris, Witwer

Assistant Professor: Chandler

A major consists of 10 courses, including HIST 115, 116, and 449. At least seven courses must be taken in the department. The following courses may be counted toward fulfilling the major requirements: AMST 200, ECON 236, PSCI 221 and 439, REL 226 and 328. Other appropriate courses outside the department may be counted upon departmental approval. For history majors who student teach in history, the major consists of nine courses. In addition to the courses listed below, special courses, independent study, and honors are available. Special courses recently taught and anticipated include a biographical study of European Monarchs, the European Left, the Industrialization and Urbanization of Modern Europe, Utopian Movements in America , the Peace Movement in America, The Vietnam War, and American Legal History. History majors are encouraged to participate in the internship program. 

Students interested in teacher certification should refer to the Department of Education on page 133.

The following courses satisfy the cultural diversity requirement: HIST 120, 140, 220, 230 and 240. The following courses, when scheduled as W courses, count toward the writing intensive requirement: HIST 215, 218, 230, 247, 312, 328, 330, 332, 335, and 449.  

Minor 

Three minors are offered by the Department of History. The following courses are required to complete a minor in American history: HIST 125, 126, and three courses in American history numbered 200 and above (HIST 120 and/or 220 may be substituted.) A minor in European history requires the completion of HIST 115, 116 and three courses in European history numbered 200 and above. To obtain a minor in History (without national or geographical designation), a student must complete six courses in history, of which three must be chosen from HIST 115, 116, 125, and 126 and three must be history courses numbered 200 and above.  

115

WESTERN CIVILIZATION I

A survey of the major developments in the history of Western Civilization from its roots in the Ancient Near East to the era of the Renaissance. The course will consider the political, social and cultural aspects of Mesopotamia, Egypt, the ancient Hebrews, Greece, Rome, and Western Europe. Byzantine and Islamic civilizations will be studied to provide a wider scope for comparison.  

116

WESTERN CIVILIZATION II

A survey of the major developments in the history of Western Civilization from the era of the Renaissance to the present. The course will focus on the political, economic, social, intellectual, and cultural aspects of European history and how Europe interacted with the rest of the world.

120

LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY

An examination of the native civilization, the age of discovery and conquest, Spanish colonial policy, the independence movements, and the development of modern institutions and governments in Latin America. Alternate years.  

125

UNITED STATES HISTORY 1601-1877

A study of the people, measures, and movements which have been significant in the development of the United States between 1607 and 1877. Attention is paid to the problems of minority groups as well as to majority and national influences.  

126

UNITED STATES HISTORY 1877- PRESENT

A study of people, measures, and movements which have been significant in the development of the United States since 1877. Attention is paid to the problems of minority groups as well as to majority and national influences.  

140

SURVEY OF ASIAN HISTORY

A comprehensive overview of Asian history with emphasis on those Pacific Rim countries which have greatest current impact on political and economic development in the United States. Alternate Years.  

210

ANCIENT HISTORY

A study of the ancient western world, including the foundations of the western tradition in Greece, the emergence and expansion of the Roman state, its experience as a republic, and its transformation into the Empire. The course will focus on the social and intellectual life of Greece and Rome as well as political and economic changes. Alternate years.  

212

MEDIEVAL EUROPE AND ITS NEIGHBORS

The history of Europe from the dissolution of the Roman Empire to the mid-15th century. The course will deal with the growing estrangement of western Catholic Europe from Byzantium and Islam, culminating in the Crusades; the rise of the Islamic Empire and its later fragmentation; the development and growth of feudalism; the conflict of empire and papacy, and the rise of the towns. Alternate years.  

215

CONFLICT IN WESTERN CIVILIZATION

An in-depth study of the changing nature of war and its relationship to the development of Western Civilization since the end of the Middle Ages. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of war in the development of the modern nation state and the origins and nature of total war. Alternate years.  

218

EUROPE IN THE ERA OF THE WORLD WARS

An intensive study of the political, economic, social, and cultural history of Europe from 1900-1945. Topics include the rise of irrationalism, the origins of the First World War, the Communist and Fascist Revolutions, and the attempts to preserve peace before 1939. Prerequisite: HIST 116 or consent of instructor. Alternate years.  

219

CONTEMPORARY EUROPE

An intensive study of the political, economic, social, and cultural history of Europe since 1945. Topics include the post-war economic recovery of Europe, the Sovietization of Eastern Europe, the origins of the Cold War, decolonization, and the flowering of the welfare state. Prerequisite: HIST 116 or consent of instructor.  

220

WOMEN IN HISTORY

An examination of the social, political, economic and intellectual experience of women in the Western World from ancient times to the present.  

226

COLONIAL AMERICA AND THE REVOLUTIONARY ERA

The establishment of British settlements on the American continent, their history as colonies, the causes and events of the American Revolution, the critical period following independence, and proposal and adoption of the United States Constitution. Alternate years.  

230

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY

A study of the experiences and participation of African Americans in the United States. The course includes historical experiences such as slavery, abolition, reconstruction, and urbanization. It also raises the issue of the development and growth of white racism, and the effect of this racism on contemporary Afro-American social, intellectual, and political life. Alternate years.  

232

THE RISE OF ISLAM

 A survey of the history of Islam in the Middle East, illuminating the foundation of the religion and its spread in the seventh and eighth centuries, the development of a high civilization thereafter, and the subsequent changes in political and social structures over time. Muslim interactions with Christian and Jews will be included, but the emphasis of the course will be to understand the history of Islamic civilization in its own right. The course ends with a consideration of recent crises in the Middle East and their roots in modern history.  

234

ORIGINS OF EUROPE

This course takes an in-depth look at the formative period of European civilization from the decline and fall of the Roman Empire to the formation, around the year 1000, of monarchies that resemble modern states. Important issues covered include the development and spread of early Christianity, the assumption of rule over Roman territory by barbarians, and the blending of Roman, Christian, and Germanic barbarian traditions into one European civilization.  

236

CRUSADES: CONFLICT AND ACCOMMODATION

An intensive consideration of interactions between Muslims and Christians in the Middle Ages. Hostile and fruitful relations in Spain, warfare in the Holy Land, and the status of religious minorities will be studied. In addition to the often violent relations between these major religious groups, this course addresses their intellectual, artistic, and literary developments as well as reciprocal influences.  

240

MODERN CHINA

This course will explore the social, political and cultural changes in China since the early 19th Century. Particular attention will be given to the Communist Revolution and the developments in China since Mao’s death. Alternate years.  

247

ORGANIZED CRIME IN AMERICA

A history of organized crime in America from the Gilded Age to the present. This course explores the rise of organized crime and its ties to the urban political machines as well as the segregated vice districts of Nineteenth Century America. Students study the rise of the Mafia in the Twentieth Century along with other ethnically based criminal groups. Much of the course centers on the role that organized crime has played in American society through such activities as labor racketeering, organized gambling, and smuggling. The course also explores different law enforcement efforts mounted against organized crime over time, culminating with the most recent use of broad conspiracy laws. Alternate years.  

312

THE MIDDLE AGES IN MODERN EYES

An in-depth study of medieval history by way of modern understandings of the period. The course will focus on academic interpretations, but will also consider the Middle Ages in the popular imaginations, such as in film. Examination of the documents, literature, and art of the period constitutes the second major area of course assignments. Student work culminates in a major research project based on the study of translated primary sources. Prerequisite: HIST 115 or 212, or consent of instructor.  

320

DIPLOMATIC HISTORY OF EUROPE SINCE 1789

A survey of the development of the European-states system and the relations between the European states since the beginning of the French Revolution. Prerequisite: HIST 116 or consent of instructor. Alternate years.  

322

THE CRISIS OF LIBERALISM AND NATIONALISM: EUROPE 1848-1870

An in-depth investigation of the crucial “Middle Years” of 19th century Europe from the revolutions of 1848 through the unification of Germany. The course centers on the struggles for power within the major states of Europe at this time, and how the vehicle of nationalism was used to bring about one type of solution. Alternate years.  

328

AGE OF JEFFERSON AND JACKSON

The theme of the course is the emergence of the political and social characteristics that shaped modern America. The personalities of Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall, John Randolph, Aaron Burr, and Andrew Jackson receive special attention. Special consideration is given to the first and second party systems, the decline in community cohesiveness, the westward movement, and the growing importance of the family as a unit of social organization. Prerequisite: HIST 125 or consent of instructor. Alternate years.  

330

FRENCH REVOLUTION AND NAPOLEON

An analysis of the political, social, and intellectual background of the French Revolution, a survey of the course of revolutionary development, and an estimate of the results of the Napoleonic conquests and administration. Prerequisite: HIST 115 or consent of instructor. Alternate years.  

332

CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION

The problems and events leading to war, the political and military history of the war, and the bitter aftermath to the Compromise of 1877.  

335

U.S. SINCE 1945

A survey of the political, social, and intellectual developments in America in the years following World War II. The course reviews both foreign policy developments in those years and the various social movements that swept across the country, including civil rights, feminism, the counter-culture, and conservatism. Prerequisite: HIST 126 or consent of instructor.  

340

20TH CENTURY UNITED STATES RELIGION

The study of historical and cultural developments in American society which relate to religion or what is commonly called religion. This involves consideration of the institutional and intellectual development of several faith groups as well as discussion of certain problems, such as the persistence of religious bigotry and the changing modes of church-state relationships. Alternate years.  

416

HISTORY OF REFORMATION THOUGHT

A study of the ideas and systems of ideas propounded prior to the Reformation, but which are historically related to its inception, and of the ideas and systems of ideas involved in the formulation of the major Reformation Protestant traditions, and in the Catholic Reformation. Included are the ideas of the humanists of the Reformation Era. Alternate years.  

449

HISTORICAL METHODS

This course focuses on the nature and meaning of history. It will open to the student different historical approaches and will provide the opportunity to explore these approaches in terms of particular topics and periods. Majors are required to enroll in this course in either their junior or senior year. Prerequisite: One course from HIST 328, 330, 335 or 416.  

470-479

INTERNSHIP (See index)

Typically, history interns work for local government agencies engaged in historical projects or for the Lycoming County Historical Museum.  

N80-N89

INDEPENDENT STUDY (See index)

Recent topics include studies of the immigration of American blacks, political dissension in the Weimer republic, Indian relations before the American Revolution, and the history of Lycoming County.  

490-491

INDEPENDENT STUDY FOR DEPARTMENTAL HONORS (See index)